Rakaia groups waiting to see

Press, 14 May 1984, Page 5

Rakaia groups waiting to see

Groups involved in the Rakaia River debate seem to be playing a waiting game. Objections to the river’s draft conservation order have to be lodged with the Planning Tribunal by Wednesday, May 16, but the interested parties have either not yet decided whether to appeal or are not making their decision public. Federated Farmers and irrigation lobbyists met at Rakaia yesterday to discuss the order, but did not decide whether to appeal, according to the chairman of the Central Plains Irrigation Association, Mr David Watson.

Earlier this week the chief executive officer of the New Zealand Acclimati-

sation Societies, Mr Bryce Johnson, said that many groups were waiting until the last minute to lodge their appeals to avoid a host of cross-appeals. If there was to be another Planning Tribunal hearing objections would want it to be shorter than the last one and limited to the main concerns, he said. Mr Watson said his organisation was not purposely delaying its decision and might call another meeting next week.

They were concerned about whether enough water would be available for the fanning community now and in the future, and if Lake Coleridge, which was excluded from the order, could be used to benefit all users.