News Update June 2007

Dear All,

1. The MHPS Committee wishes to inform you that yesterday the Society  applied for declarations to the Environment Court that restrict the Selwyn District Council in considering notices of requirement filed by Central Plains Water Limited.
We are being assisted by a team of Anderson Lloyd lawyers and this is the first legal action by the Society against Central Plains Water. It has been made possible by generous funding from affected and concerned landowners.   An announcement will be released to the media tomorrow.

2. Thanks to all who supported the Society over the last two hectic weeks.  Many members and supporters attended the SDC and CCC meetings and many letters have been published in the Press. The CCCouncil decision created huge public response and the media coverage has helped to expose tactics such as the threat of personal liability to Councillors and the use of publicly excluded meetings to get the third party loan approved.  

3. We were surprised  to see that the loan announced  was up to $4.8m, no mention of this amount had been made  before the meetings.  The overt support of Central Plains Water by dairy conglomerates has now been exposed.  

4. Its been disappointing  that SDC and CCC Councillors have  voted to continue support  of Central Plains Water in the face of such growing opposition from their ratepayers.

5. The Society has written to the Press to thank those CCCouncillors  who voted against the loan and we name those Councillors who voted to approve.
A copy of the letter has been sent to members and supporters and also a copy of a letter by Ben Dingle of Synlait which was presented to the CCCouncil in relation to the third party funding for Central Plains Water.

6. SDC tell us that 216 submissions were received on the tunnel/bywash applications with approx 170 submissions in opposition.  A copy of the submissions will be at the Darfield Service Centre late next week.

7. Ecan has informed us they received approx. 345 submissions, 293 in opposition.  The latest unconfirmed date for the Hearing is 10 September 2007.  The committee is working on gathering expert witnesses and preparing the final MHPS submission.

8.  We are receiving many messages of support. We welcome those who have recently joined the Society and we thank members for their subscriptions and  donations.   

Regards,

Liz Weir Secretary  
Rosalie Snoyink Spokesperson
Malvern Hills Protection Society Inc
C/- Lower High St,  Coalgate