softheart
04-28-2004, 09:41 AM
27 April 2004
By NICOLA BOYES
Environment Court appeals against plans to build New Zealand's second largest prison south of Meremere will be heard over two weeks in Hamilton next month.
The appeal hearings will be the last chance for people opposed to the prison to overturn resource consents and land designation for the planned 650-bed men's prison, estimated to cost $232 million.
The hearings come as the Corrections Department is under fire for the cost of its consultation over the proposed site.
The auditor-general has been asked to investigate officials' roles. He will look at the $1.5 million spent on iwi consultation.
Tainui's board has stood down co-chairman Haydn Solomon while his and their own investigation continue.
Mr Solomon, who is now employed by Corrections, has challenged the injunction in court.
Justice Rhys Harrison was expected to hear from the Tainui board in a telephone conference this morning.
Mr Solomon's lawyer, Alex Hope, said the conference would help set a hearing date.
The appeal hearings are set down over two weeks at Waikato Stadium from May 10, with submissions coming from Te Kauwhata residents David Saxton and Wendy Finlayson, the North Waikato Action Group and Federated Farmers.
Federated Farmers will argue commissioners did not pay enough regard to ensuring adequate consideration to other sites and will question the effects on the environment.
The action group says land designation fails to meet the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act.
The group argues the prison, planned to take up 28ha of a 215ha site, will affect high quality soils, which is contrary to the Waikato district plan.
Ms Finlayson and Mr Saxton contend the prison will have adverse visual, landscape, lighting and noise effects, all of which they say clash with the district plan.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2889603a11,00.html
By NICOLA BOYES
Environment Court appeals against plans to build New Zealand's second largest prison south of Meremere will be heard over two weeks in Hamilton next month.
The appeal hearings will be the last chance for people opposed to the prison to overturn resource consents and land designation for the planned 650-bed men's prison, estimated to cost $232 million.
The hearings come as the Corrections Department is under fire for the cost of its consultation over the proposed site.
The auditor-general has been asked to investigate officials' roles. He will look at the $1.5 million spent on iwi consultation.
Tainui's board has stood down co-chairman Haydn Solomon while his and their own investigation continue.
Mr Solomon, who is now employed by Corrections, has challenged the injunction in court.
Justice Rhys Harrison was expected to hear from the Tainui board in a telephone conference this morning.
Mr Solomon's lawyer, Alex Hope, said the conference would help set a hearing date.
The appeal hearings are set down over two weeks at Waikato Stadium from May 10, with submissions coming from Te Kauwhata residents David Saxton and Wendy Finlayson, the North Waikato Action Group and Federated Farmers.
Federated Farmers will argue commissioners did not pay enough regard to ensuring adequate consideration to other sites and will question the effects on the environment.
The action group says land designation fails to meet the purpose and principles of the Resource Management Act.
The group argues the prison, planned to take up 28ha of a 215ha site, will affect high quality soils, which is contrary to the Waikato district plan.
Ms Finlayson and Mr Saxton contend the prison will have adverse visual, landscape, lighting and noise effects, all of which they say clash with the district plan.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2889603a11,00.html