6 April 2006

Proceedings to be filed in Court against Minister

The Whangamata Marina Society will apply for a judicial review against the Minister of Conservation Chris Carter in the Wellington High Court on Tuesday, 11 April.

The papers to be filed are: a notice of proceeding, a Statement of Claim, an affidavit in support of the proceedings and a memorandum requesting a swift track.

The Society President, Mick Kelly, will be coming to Wellington to swear the affidavit and to file the papers with the Court.

Mr Kelly said the Society’s advice was that the Minister had failed to follow due process in overturning the Environment Court’s decision that the marina project should go ahead.

“We are seeking an urgent hearing because we have already been subjected to considerable delay. The resource consent was first lodged in 1996, 10 years ago, and any further delay just adds to the injustice.

“We feel strongly that a wrong has been done us and we are very much looking forward to our day in court,” Mr Kelly said.

The Society is represented by Chen Palmer, public law specialists.

ENDS

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