Forest & Bird said the dam\u2019s consents were granted in 2015, and would have lapsed after 10 years. The organisation said despite no physical work being done, the Hawke\u2019s Bay Regional Council, Central Hawke\u2019s Bay District Council and Hastings District Council decided in April to extend the lapse dates by another five years.<\/p>\n
Forest & Bird acting general counsel May Downing said the developers applied for an extension less than a week before consents were due to expire in June 2025, and the decision to extend the consents should never have been made.<\/p>\n
She said legal action is critical to ensure proper process is followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot has changed since these consents were granted in 2015. The M\u0101k\u0101roro Gorge has been identified as an outstanding natural feature. The aquifer is now recognised as an outstanding waterbody.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe environmental context has dramatically shifted, and new protections recognise the important values of this river and surrounding landscapes, yet those were largely brushed aside \u2013 as were concerns by mana whenua \u2013 when this zombie project was brought back to life yet again,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Forest & Bird said the new application is for a larger area than the 22ha the Supreme Court deemed to be an illegal exchange.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis case is about holding decision-makers to account and protecting one of Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s most important natural areas from an outdated and damaging proposal,\u201d Downing said.<\/p>\n
Project leader Mike Petersen told RNZ they have always been aware that Forest & Bird would campaign to stop the project.<\/p>\n