plain and simple

From the minutes of the commissioner 15th July

Background

1. This Minute refers to applications from Buller Coal Limited (the applicant) who are seeking a suite of
resource consents from West Coast Regional Council and Buller District Council, to undertake coal
mining activities on the Denniston Plateau and to construct and operate a coal dewatering plant at
Fairdown with a coal slurry pipeline connecting the two activities.

2. On 7th July 2011 the hearing adjourned after hearing the officers report. The applicant indicated that
they would need some additional time to prepare their closing submission.

3. Since that time the applicant has advised that as there are a number of outstanding matters which
need further response, they have requested that we agree to them providing their closing
submission in writing by Friday 22 July 2011.
Notice of Response

4. We agree to the applicant providing their written closing submission (often referred to as the ?Right
of Reply?) by 22 July 2011.

5. While we will need an opportunity to consider the applicants closing submission, we consider that at
this time, we are unlikely to reconvene the hearing.

6. In the event that the hearing is not reconvened or not formally ended by minute or other means, the
provisions of s.103A Resource Management Act 1991(RMA), provides that the hearing is deemed to
be concluded after 10 working days, after the right of reply has been exercised.

7. The provisions of s.115(2) RMA require that a decision must be given within 15 working days after
the end of the hearing.

But at this rate a decision might not be in till early Oct.

Having said that I do feel that BTU must be taking the nay argument serious enough to put in the extra time, whis is to the benefit of all. Lets face it; BTU will need a truck load of new permits into the future so starting on the right foot will protect and maybe even enhance the current strong goodwill of the community

Viney