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Special tribunal to hear Hurunui River Water Conservation Order application

Jim Lynch (chair), Dr Gerry Closs, Dr Gail Tipa and Adrienne Williams have been appointed to consider an application for a water conservation order on the Hurunui River.

Water Conservation Orders are set up to recognise and sustain waters that are considered to be outstanding as a habitat or fishery, or for scenic, scientific or recreational values.

The tribunal will consider an application by Fish and Game and the New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association for a water conservation order to recognise and sustain the outstanding amenity and intrinsic values of the Upper Hurunui waters and the contribution that the Lower Hurunui River makes to those values.

The tribunal members have sound experience in dealing with RMA matters and water conservation orders. The special tribunal will meet shortly and then organise a hearing and report back to the Minister with recommendations about whether there should be an order and if so, in what form.  The findings of the special tribunal can be appealed to the Environment Court.

Editor’s notes:

Members of the Special Tribunal

Jim Lynch is a senior Wellington lawyer, specialising in resource management.  He has served as an independent commissioner in numerous RMA hearings.  In 2006 he was appointed as chairperson of the special tribunal to consider an application by Fish and Game to amend the Buller Water Conservation Order. Jim Lynch is accredited under the Making Good Decisions programme.

Dr Gerry Closs is a specialist in freshwater ecology, from the University of Otago. He will bring a thorough understanding of water quality and the management of freshwater ecosystems to the special tribunal. Dr Gerry Closs was appointed in 2006 as a member of the special tribunal to consider an application by Fish and Game to amend the Buller Water Conservation Order. 

Dr Gail Tipa is a resource management consultant from Otago working with a range of resource management, community and iwi organisations.   Dr Gail Tipa was appointed in 2006 to the special tribunal that considered the application for a water conservation order on the Oreti River. She has a sound understanding of the Resource Management Act.  Dr Gail Tipa will bring an understanding of cultural values in relation to freshwater as well as a wider understanding of tikanga Maori.

Adrienne Williams is a past Hawkes Bay Regional Councillor and experienced hearings commissioner.   She has dealt with hearings concerning ground and surface water takes. Adrienne Williams has a farming background and, as well as her extensive RMA hearings experience, she will bring an understanding of rural issues to the special tribunal.

Last updated: 6 January 2009