My Account
A hearing of appeals against a proposed landfill in the Dome Valley started in the Environment Court this morning.
The appeals are being heard by Judges Jeff Smith and Melinda Dickey, assisted by Commissioners Kevin Prime, Glenice Paine and Dr Ruth Barlett.
A total of nine weeks, over the next five months, have been set aside for the hearing, although Judge Smith said this morning he thought this was “ambitious”.
The hearing started with a karakia, followed by an introduction of the legal representatives for the various parties and procedural matters.
Concern about the length of the hearing prompted Judge Smith to ask how much cross-examination of technical witnesses would be necessary. Waste Management was asked to provide further information on this matter.
The hearing is being live streamed this week. Judge Smith said Covid had the potential to derail the hearing, hence the possibility that the hearing would continue online or as a hybrid model of both remote and in person sessions.
The sitting will include a week on a marae in September. The final sitting week is scheduled to start on November 28.
The hearing concerns Waste Management’s proposal for a new Auckland Regional Landfill , which has been granted resource consents from Auckland Council.
Among those appealing that decision are anti-landfill group Fight the Tip, the Director-General of Conservation, Forest and Bird and several iwi groups.
