24 Feb 2025: Tarawera sewerage scheme

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Tarawera sewerage scheme

Enquiry

Reporter sought RLC comment on the attached news release issues on Friday by the Rotokakahi Board of Control and had the following additional questions:

I've confirmed with the environment court proceedings were filed on Friday late afternoon, with the council served notice contemporaneously.

They said enforcement and declaration proceedings have been filed, processed, and will be placed before an Environment Judge today.

"Directions will be issued in due course."

Does the notice change anything for works proceeding today as planned?

How so?

What will happen once a judge's decision is received?

Can I also ask how injunction order breaches are to be handled?

In what way has the council asked police to be involved?

and can I please double check when the works have been paused since? Was it August?

Response

See below in response to your enquiry.

See also this link to the news release RLC issued last week. We did send it to you but just in case you missed it: Date set for work on Tarawera Sewerage Scheme to re-start - Rotorua Lakes Council

From Infrastructure and Environment Group Manager Stavros Michael:

Re Board of Control press release

We can confirm Council has been served copies of applications for declarations, enforcement orders and a priority fixture filed in the Environment Court by the Board. RLC now awaits the Court’s initial case management directions. It is not appropriate for RLC to comment further at this time.

Please note RLC has not granted itself a resource consent for the work. Council has recorded its decision that this work does not require a resource consent because it is a permitted activity.

The work has been the subject of engagement and consultation with the community and mana whenua dating back to 2015.

Does the notice change anything for works proceeding today as planned? How so?

Not at this stage.

What will happen once a judge's decision is received?

The decision of the Environment Court will determine that.

Can I also ask how injunction order breaches are to be handled?

Police have been asked to assist, if required, to ensure compliance with the District Court injunction order to ensure work can resume safely.

In what way has the council asked police to be involved?

See above

Can I please double check when the works have been paused since? Was it August?

Works were first paused in January 2024 following obstruction and interference with the work site and due to safety concerns for workers.

RLC subsequently applied to the District Court for an injunction to enable the works to safely re-start. In July the District Court adjourned the injunction but confirmed RLC’s works were lawful and could continue. The decision was made in late August to pause to address ongoing safety concerns and have further discussions with iwi and mana whenua.

The work site was scaled back in October while RLC awaited the outcome of its renewed injunction application. Injunction orders were issued in November but the pause in work was continued through the summer holiday period.

*NOTE: we reinforced with the reporter that the “safety concerns” were not about the work site being unsafe but due to obstruction by protestors