Two parties deny charges in relation to Waihi Dam

The two parties charged in relation to the works carried out on the Waihi Dam and the subsequent discharge of silt into the Waihi and Waiau Rivers have both denied the charges.

Eastland Networks Limited and Abyss Limited have pleaded not guilty to four alleged offences arising out of contamination of the Waihi River between December 2015 and February 2016. Each party face charges of disturbance of a bed of a lake or river [under Section 13[1][b] of the Resource Management Act] and the discharge of contaminants into water [under section 15[1][a] of the Resource Management Act].

The pleas were entered this morning without the need for either party to appear in court. The matter has now been adjourned until the 13th of October as a nominal date while the matter is transferred to the Environment Court.

Quite separate from the prosecution, HBRC is continuing to work with the Eastland Group to refine and adapt its current resource consent and the operation of the Waihi Dam itself to ensure it meets current day best practice. 

HBRC is not in a position to make any further comment as the matter is now before the Court.

4 November 2016

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