As there is no longer an active application for a WCO on the Hurunui River, all processing of the application and submissions has ceased. We have written to all submitters advising them of the withdrawal.
On 29 October 2010, Environment Canterbury received a request from the applicant to extend the statutory timeframe within which a hearing for the revised Hurunui WCO application must be held. Environment Canterbury has taken into consideration the matters set out in section 37 of the RMA and has agreed to extended the period for the start of the hearing of the Hurunui Water Conservation Order application until 1 February 2011.
Submissions on the revised application closed on 08 October 2010 and, pursuant to clause 13(2) of the Environment Canterbury Act, a hearing is now required 25 working days from the close of submissions, commencing on 12 November. Doubling this timeframe under section 37A(2)(a) RMA would take the start date to 17 December 2010.
This extension will provide sufficient time for the start date of the hearing to be confirmed, as well as allowing the applicant and submitters to prepare for the hearing given the nature of the proposal sought.