Appeals may delay plans for Coromandel sawmill

1.00pm

Environment Court appeals may delay the building of a $30 million sawmill near Whangapoua on the Coromandel Peninsula.

In June, Environment Waikato and Thames-Coromandel District Council allowed Blue Mountain Lumber to build what is set to be the peninsula's biggest sawmill at Te Rerenga.

The Whangapoua Environmental Protection Society -- led by Coromandel Peninsula farmers Paul and Jean Bibby -- announced it would appeal the decision.

The Waikato Times obtained court documents which show the Bibby-led group's appeal has been joined by two from the Conservation Department and one from Matarangi Beach Estates.

A further appeal has been lodged by applicant Blue Mountain Lumber, seeking a relaxation of the wording of some consent conditions.

Environment Court registrar Harry Johnson said it would encourage the groups to negotiate with one another, which could take up to a few months.

If court action was required a priority hearing could be held based on the public interest or economic grounds. Mr Johnson estimated a court hearing was at least six-months away.

That could force a delay to Blue Mountain Lumber's plans to begin construction of the mill this summer. The 10-month job will employ 60 people.

Through its Auckland-based lawyer Martin Williams, the Whangapoua Environmental Protection Society claims the councils incorrectly assessed the application as one that fell under the "discretionary activity" umbrella.

It contends that such a large-scale industrial activity in a rural zone should instead be assessed under the rules that apply to "non-complying" activities.

Grounds for appeal were also made on the assumption that the sawmill's environmental effect was "more than minor" and that the consent application was contrary to the district plan.

DOC has appealed water and discharge permits, saying the life-supporting capacity of the water and ecosystems in bordering streams have not been safeguarded.

Matarangi Estates has concerns about the water take and discharge permits.

- NZPA