The Minister of Conservation is taking Molyneux Estate and the Central Otago District Council (CODC) to court over an unpaid $100,000 bill for a water easement in Alexandra. The Alexandra District Court has confirmed a date has been set for December 5.
The Department of Conservation solicitors have filed a statement of claim and an application for summary judgement on the basis there is no arguable defence. A supporting affidavit sworn by a staff member has been included.
The files refer to Doc's seeking of payment for the water main easement fee and other costs according to its concession document.
The council and Molyneux Estate argue the main is for Alexandra, for new sections and for firefighting, but Doc insists it is to service 100 sections at Molyneux Estate through which it passes.
Doc has charged in accordance with its policy of requiring developers to pay per section for easement rights. The cost has been disputed for more than two years.
