4 August 2006
Minister names members for special tribunal
A tribunal to consider an application from Fish and Game to amend the Buller River Water Conservation Order has been
established, Environment Minister David Benson-Pope said today.
“The tribunal will consider Fish and Game’s proposal that the Buller Water Conservation Order be changed to recognise
the outstanding nature of the Gowan River trout fishery and its contribution to trout fisheries in Lake Rotoroa and the
Buller River,” Mr Benson-Pope said.
“Members Jim Lynch, Glenice Paine and Dr Gerry Closs each bring expertise and a range of skills in Resource Management
Act hearing procedures to this inquiry, and I wish them well in this work.”
Jim Lynch, an experienced resource management and local government barrister and hearings commissioner, will chair the
tribunal.
Glenice Paine is a resource management officer for Te Atiawa. She brings an understanding of cultural issues as they
relate to the use of water.
Dr Gerry Closs is a freshwater ecologist from the University of Otago.
Once the special tribunal has met, the public will be invited to make submissions on the application. The special
tribunal will then hold a hearing and report back to the Minister with recommendations about whether the Buller Water
Conservation Order should be amended or not.
The findings of the special tribunal can be appealed to the Environment Court.
Note: The appointments to the special tribunal are made under section 202 of the Resource Management Act 1991
ENDS