28 September 2016

HBRIC joins appeal to Supreme Court over DOC land exchange

Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Limited has joined the Department of Conservation in seeking leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s direction that the Director-General reconsider his decision on a land exchange for the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.

Forest & Bird appealed a High Court decision upholding the Director-General’s decision to revoke 22 hectares of conservation land from the 94,000 hectare Ruahine Forest Park.

The Department of Conservation has decided to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. HBRIC Ltd is doing the same and is also seeking urgency for the matter to be heard.

HBRIC believes the DOC land exchange would provide significant enhancements to the conservation values of the area.

HBRIC Chairman Andy Pearce says, “There is a strong commitment from HBRIC, and those involved, to deliver the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme and its wide-ranging environmental, social and economic benefits to our local community.”

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