“In response to Coastal Ratepayers United’s (CRU) press release regarding the Environment Court declarations being sought against KCDC. It would be naive of Councillors to believe that there would not be at least one Environment Court appeal after the completion of the PDP process.

“Having said that, I find it extremely disappointing that we already have a court action in the midst of the process.

“What I find upsetting in particular, as the Deputy Mayor, is that Councillors have not been provided with any evidence supporting the change of the original Council resolution of 2014. I do not have the level of confidence that is required for Council entering into this Court action with CRU. For Council to alter the recommendations determined by an independent review panel, as far as I am concerned, requires a further resolution from Council.

“This has not happened and I have not seen any written evidence from the independent review panel to support the direction Council is taking. Surely we could avoid court action if a meaningful consultation process had been enabled.”

 
Mike Cardiff