Meridian Energy Ltd expects to reach agreement on conditions in resource consents for a new power scheme on the lower Waitaki River with parties who opposed it in the Environment Court.
Meridian's legal counsel Jo Appleyard has indicated the conditions will be settled when the court sits in Oamaru on July 5.
That would meet a direction from the court that parties involved in an appeal heard last year - Waitaki First, the Lower Waitaki River Management Society and Moeraki resident Dugald MacTavish - mediate over specific conditions proposed to be attached to the consents.
Waitaki First said on Friday it had reached agreement, the Lower Waitaki River Management Society hoped it would, but Mr MacTavish was not so confident.
In a minute issued by Judge Jon Jackson, who with three commissioners heard the appeal against water-only consents being granted for the $1 billion north bank tunnel scheme, said the parties should note that even if all matters were settled between them, it did not mean the court would automatically be satisfied.
Meridian had asked if a hearing could be held earlier than July 5, but Judge Jackson said the court did not have time available.
He wants all parties at the hearing when it starts on July 5 so the court could be satisfied its intentions were being properly carried out.
He also asked Meridian to supply "a fairly full explanation" on conditions that had been agreed to, particularly in ecological bottom lines.
