13 March 2006

Minister to appoint tribunal for Oreti River report

A special tribunal will be appointed to hear and report on an application from the New Zealand Fish and Game Council for a water conservation order on the Oreti River in Southland, David Benson-Pope announced today.

Fish and Game are seeking protection of the main stem of the Oreti River upstream of Mossburn, specified tributaries and connected groundwater. They want recognition of the natural values of the river, its angling amenity and trout and wildlife habitats.

Fish and Game are also seeking protection of the main stem of the Oreti River from Mossburn to Wallacetown for the contribution it makes to the angling and fishery values upstream.

The application is seeking prohibitions on damming of the Oreti River, restrictions on changing the river flow or form, restrictions on the taking of surface water and groundwater, and the maintenance of fish passage.

“I requested further information from the applicant and am now satisfied the application is complete,” David Benson-Pope said. “I will now appoint a special tribunal to consider the application and report to me on whether a water conservation order should be put in place for the Oreti River.

“Any person will be able to make a submission to the tribunal and have their views heard,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media