Intervention sought in council's dispute with Doc

Businessman Russell Ibbotson, of Alexandra, hopes Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick will change her stance and intervene in the row over a $100,000 bill the Department of Conservation has sent to the Central Otago District Council.

The bill is for a pipeline easement under the Otago Central Rail Trail corridor to Molyneux Estate at Alexandra, and Doc is threatening to take the matter to court.

Mr Ibbotson, director of Molyneux Estate Ltd, has written to Ms Chadwick seeking a ministerial review.

The minister told him last month she would not intervene, but new information had surfaced since then Mr Ibbotson said.

A spokeswoman for Ms Chadwick's office confirmed the letter had been received and said Ms Chadwick would be replying "in due course".