Environmental group escapes legal costsBy: Jessica McCarthy, |...

Environmental group escapes legal costs
By: Jessica McCarthy, | New Zealand News | Tuesday December 3 2013 15:16


"CHRISTCHURCH - The West Coast Environment Network has escaped $60,000 in legal costs thanks to a Supreme Court Decision.

The costs were being sought by two coal mining companies, as well as the West Coast Regional Council and Buller District Council, who fought the group in a climate change case earlier this year.

And while the network was unsuccessful in its bid to have the environmental impacts of mining taken into account by the Resource Management Act, the Supreme Court has declined to award costs against it.

West Coast Environment Network spokesperson Lynley Hargreaves says while it was disappointing to lose the case she is heartened by the Supreme Court's decision.

"The alternative is that small environmental groups just don't get to take part in the process.

"Obviously that's what (mining company) Bathurst Resources would like, but its not the best outcome for society in general."

Bathurst Resources is still seeking nearly $300,000 in costs from the group on other cases."



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