The Environment Court has dismissed applications filed against Rotorua Lakes Council in relation to the Tarawera Sewerage Scheme.
Council’s position was that the work is a permitted activity in the District Plan and does not require resource consent.
A hearing to consider the applications was held before Judge Laurie Newhook and Deputy Commissioner Glenice Paine on March 19. The decision was released yesterday.
In dismissing the applications, the Environment Court found there had been extensive consideration of options for the scheme since 2018 and considerable attempts by the council between 2020 and 2023 to engage with iwi and mana whenua as well as offer mitigations to their concerns.
“There can be no doubt in our minds about the importance of the project in the public interest. Improving the quality of the freshwater in Lake Tarawera must be a given, for all relevant communities including Māori,” the decision states.
Infrastructure and Environment Group Manager, Stavros Michael says the decision will enable the Council to install the remaining one kilometre of pipeline left to complete Stage 1 of the project. Around 23 kilometres of pipeline has already been installed.
“We’re obviously pleased with the outcome of the Environment Court while acknowledging there will be ongoing concerns held by some,” said Mr Michael.
He says work on the project will restart as soon as possible.
“There have been significant delays in completing the section of pipeline past Lake Rotokākahi which has unfortunately also added to the cost of the scheme so we are keen to get it completed as soon as we can. Planning for that will get underway immediately.”
“The scheme is important for the protection of Lake Tarawera, the community and environment and extra protections are being incorporated in the pipeline work to provide additional reassurance,” Mr Michael said.
View the Environment Court decision at the following link: Decision.
