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Special tribunal

Special tribunal appointed to consider the application

A special tribunal was appointed by the Minister for the Environment in July 2004 to consider the MAJAC application. The Tribunal members are Richard Fowler (Chair), Dr Mike Johnston and Laurel Tierney.

Media release: Buller Water Conservation Order Tribunal

Special tribunal decision on the scope of the hearing

The Special Tribunal publicly released its decision on the scope of the hearing on 22 December 2004.

Special Tribunal decision on the scope of the hearing (22 December 2004)

MAJAC Trust have lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court. The decision of the High Court was released on 18 July 2005. In allowing the application for review, the Judge concluded "... that those parts of submissions in opposition to MAJAC which seek to enlarge the present Buller WCO are outside the scope of the special tribunal, as they are not enabled by s205(3). ... The special tribunal is to consider only MAJAC's application, submissions in support and any extensions, and submissions in opposition."

High Court decision (18 July 2005) (PDF 64KB)

Submissions on the application

A total of 131 submissions have been received by the Ministry for the Environment on an application from MAJAC Trust to amend the Buller River Water Conservation Order.

The submissions, the application and any relevant information held by the Special Tribunal (which will consider the application to amend the Order and report to the Minister for the Environment) may be inspected at:

  • Ministry for the Environment, Level 4, PricewaterhouseCoopers Building, 119 Armagh Street, Christchurch
  • Ministry for the Environment, Level 5, Grand Annexe Building, 84 Boulcott Street, Wellington
  • Tasman District Council, 189 Queen Street, Richmond, Nelson
  • Tasman District Council, Murchison Service Centre, 92 Fairfax Street, Murchison
  • Buller District Council, Brougham Street, Westport

Evidence for hearing

Evidence for hearing lodged with the special tribunal

Hearing held

The special tribunal has held its hearing on the submissions on the MAJAC application. The hearings were held in Nelson between 8 November and 11 November 2005. The special tribunal also went on a site visit on 7 November before the hearing began. There were 20 submitters and the applicant (MajacTrust) who were heard at the hearing.

Special Tribunal Report

Special Tribunal Report on the MAJAC Application to amend the Buller Water Conservation Order

Submission to Environment Court

On 27 February 2006, MAJAC Trust filed a submission in the Environment Court under section 209 of the Resource Management Act on the Special Tribunal's report to the Minister. The Environment Court held a prelimanary hearing on 2 August 2006 and has set down the hearing to begin on 13 February 2007.

Last updated: 6 January 2009