ORC seeking costs

The Otago Regional Council is seeking costs as a result of the recent Environment Court appeal on the Leith Lindsay flood-protection scheme.

Former Otago Catchment Board engineer John Gillies and former Otago Regional Council investigations engineer Neil Johnstone appealed a decision to grant consents for the works, on the grounds they failed to provide a consistent and safe standard of flood protection.

After a week-long hearing, Judge Jeff Smith issued an oral decision dismissing the appeal on April 12.

While not releasing the amount it had lodged with the court, ORC corporate services director Wayne Scott said the council faced "significant costs" defending the appeal.

It was now up to the court to assess what was fair and reasonable.