ODT

QueenstownAugust 24

1600-home project approved for Wanaka

The Environment Court has approved the Northlake subdivision in Wanaka which will eventually increase the number of houses in the town by a third.

DunedinDecember 26

Port dredging deposits court battle avoided

An Environment Court battle over Port Otago's proposal to continue depositing dredging material at Aramoana, Heyward Point and Shelley Beach has been avoided.

DunedinSeptember 27

Quarry rights clarity elusive

The Environment Court says it is not satisfied, at this stage, that there are any existing use rights for quarrying on Saddle Hill.

DunedinSeptember 2

Decision on SH88 looms

The Dunedin City Council has until Friday to determine whether it will make a decision on the controversial designation of land for the realignment of State Highway 88 near Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium - or hand the responsibility for the decision to the Environment Court.

NewsAugust 29

Rural water proposals heard

One of the largest Environment Court mediation processes to be held in Dunedin enters its second round next week.

DunedinJuly 19

Court threat over land plan rejection

A landowner embroiled in a dispute over Saddle Hill quarrying is threatening to take the Dunedin City Council to the Environment Court for a second time.

QueenstownJuly 15

Arrowtown Pc39 appeal proceeds

The Environment Court has declared it has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the notice of appeal on Arrowtown South lodged by two of its landowners.

NewsJune 28

No debate on Nevis decision

Discussion on the recent Environment Court decision on whether damming should be banned on the Nevis River was stifled at the Otago Fish and Game Council's meeting this week, after it was revealed some councillors had yet to read the report.

Central OtagoMay 20

Court rejects appeal over home

The Environment Court has rejected an appeal against an application by a Ripponvale couple to retain their existing home as accommodation for workers or travellers after they build a new house on the property.

QueenstownMay 14

Urged to keep cap on flights

Consent for Nzone Skydive Queenstown to increase its number of flights should be declined, or the cap at 35 flights a day should be maintained if consent is granted, Jacks Point parties say.

QueenstownFebruary 14

Court correct: Foodstuffs

The Environment Court was correct in issuing consent for the proposed Wakatipu Pak 'n Save supermarket ahead of the final decision from a separate court hearing on the zoning of the Frankton Flats, the owner of Pak'n Save, Foodstuffs, said.

DunedinNovember 30

Dumping contamination not expected

Any contamination of Otago's inshore coastal environment as a result of harbour dredge dumping is highly unlikely but could be of high impact if it does occur, Environment Court judge Jeff Smith says.

BusinessOctober 28

Environment Court to consider Denniston plateau mining project

A potentially precedent-setting Environment Court case begins in Christchurch today with coal mine developer Bathurst Resources facing legal challenges from Forest and Bird to stop strip mining for coal on the Denniston plateau above Westport, on the West Coast.

BusinessJune 12

Bathurst hearings set for October

Environment Court challenges will be heard in October over resource consent permits issued to listed West Coast coal mine developer Bathurst Resources.

QueenstownMay 23

Site deemed unsuitable for 'non-complying activities'

Land suitable for industrial use was in "extremely short supply" in Queenstown and siting a Pak'nSave supermarket and a Mitre 10 Mega store on such land is not appropriate, the Queenstown Lakes District Council says.

QueenstownMay 20

Benefits from extending boundaries: farmer

A neighbouring farmer to Arrowtown says extending the boundary would have economic benefits through the increase in population and more affordable housing.

BusinessMay 2

Court will not consider climate change

Another hurdle has fallen for West Coast coal miner Bathurst Resources, angering environmentalists, with the news the effects on climate change will not make the agenda of forthcoming Environment Court resource consent challenges.

QueenstownMarch 18

Decision on school pending

A High Court decision on the proposed second campus to cater for 112 St Joseph's School pupils, on Speargrass Flat Rd, near Arrowtown, was reserved after a two-day hearing in Christchurch last week.

BusinessMarch 14

Court to hear coal claim

The Environment Court will hear a declaration on the relevance of coal to climate change issues later this month, part of an appeal process against consents granted to Bathurst Resources last year.

NewsMarch 12

Oceana Gold gets go-ahead

An Environment Court decision will allow Oceana Gold to begin work on its plans to expand its mine at Macraes.

BusinessMarch 5

Coal pitched against environment

The value of 80 million tonnes of high quality export coal is about to weighed up against nationally endangered and vulnerable animals and other rare flora and fauna - all residing in and around the Denniston Plateau looming above Westport, on the West Coast.

QueenstownFebruary 22

Inadequate consultation on plan change: SPL

The landowner at the centre of an Environment Court hearing which could enable the building of one of the largest retail centres in New Zealand has submitted the council did not adequately consult the community.

QueenstownFebruary 8

Water supply assurance agreed

A group of Wanaka landowners would be reassured the council would protect their rights to an unrestricted water supply, in accordance with an Environment Court ruling, the Queenstown Lakes District Council's infrastructure committee agreed this week.

QueenstownFebruary 1

Airport noise boundary decision reserved

The Environment Court has reserved its decision until May on a hearing considering noise from Queenstown Airport and surrounding future developments.

NewsJanuary 2

Time to walk the walk on water

Changes afoot in regulations governing water use in Otago will influence the region's prosperity for years to come, the Otago Regional Council says. Rebecca Fox looks at the council's sometimes controversial approach to water quality and quantity.