01/06/2006

Council decision appealed

Otorohanga District Council has given Waitomo Valley Rd's motorcycle track the green light.
However, if residents Ross and Vivien Roberts have anything to say about it, the approved resource consent will be quashed immediately.
The couple have lodged an appeal with the Environment Court disputing council's decision.
Mr and Mrs Roberts say the track will ruin the ambience of Waitomo Valley Rd, where Mr Roberts has lived his entire life.
"There are several points in council's report that we don't agree with," said Mrs Roberts.
"It certainly wasn't the outcome that Ross and I were looking for."
The Roberts' are not taking matters lying down, with their appeal arriving at the Environment Court in Wellington today.
Alongisde Otorohanga Motorcycle Club members, and fellow Waitomo Valley Rd resident Brian Pitts-Brown, the Roberts' made submissions about the track at a council hearing last month.
After hearing the submissions, council approved the resource consent on May 11.
"We are very disappointed with the decision, and feel strongly against the establishment of this track, which is why we have appealed," said Mrs Roberts.
The Environment Court completely re-hears matters bought before it. The court must consider council's decision, but is not bound by it.
The Roberts' will be informed of the date and venue of the Environment Court hearing at least 15 days before it goes ahead.
It can take several months before a case is heard.