An Auckland lawyer has arrived in Waihi to represent property owners affected by a report on possible subsidences from old mine workings.
Chris Dickie last night put authorities on notice that he would be seeking disclosure of all documents, memorandums and records on matters pertaining to the town's mining operations.
Mr Dickie
declined to put a figure on how many people he was representing in the possible class action.
He told a public meeting in Waihi's Memorial Hall that he would leave no stone unturned. Hauraki mayor Basil Morrison called the meeting after the report on Waihi's underground mine workings.
A report commissioned by Hauraki District Council released this week identified 174 homes and properties in Waihi at risk from collapsing mine workings.
Sixty-four of those are at high or medium risk with 13 homeowners being told to leave their properties immediately. However, some residents are refusing to move until a compensation deal is finalised.
A cave-in swallowed a house and forced the evacuation of 16 households in the town last December.
There were strong pockets of discontent among the 500 residents who packed the hall last night, with angry comments aimed at Mr Morrison, mining company Waihi Gold and Associate Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES
