August 29, 2006

MEDIA STATEMENT

Stormwater consents granted to Pegasus Town Ltd

Pegasus Town Ltd has been granted 13 resource consents relating to stormwater from the new town to be built on the coast east of Woodend, north Canterbury. The consents were granted by hearing commissioners Paul Rogers (chair) and Dr Brent Cowie on behalf of the Waimakariri District Council and Environment Canterbury.

The consents relate to the development of a recreational lake and wetland conservation area and disposal of stormwater from various parts of the site and land development.

The commissioners noted that discharges of stormwater from roads and other hard surfaces would be treated in swales alongside roads, with soil and sand acting as infiltration strips. Once full, stormwater would then enter a catchpit with a geotextile lining to capture sediment and litter before entering gravel soakage trenches, then discharge to shallow groundwater. Stormwater from house roofs would also run into soak pits with geotextile linings and the applicant would install all soak pits to ensure consistency of design. No zinc-based roofs will be allowed in the new town to reduce zinc runoff into stormwater and the environment.

A number of other conditions cover wetlands and environmental protection including moving native mudfish and then replacing them back into a mudfish conservation area after earthworks are completed. Archaeological site management protocols with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga are also part of the consents’ conditions.

All parties have 15 working days from today to appeal the decision.

The 69 page consent decision is on Environment Canterbury’s website http://www.ecan.govt.nz/Resource+Consents/Hearing+Decisions/

ENDS

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