Listen Now: 
A bid by a Nelson iwi for protection of the country’s largest freshwater springs has received a favourable hearing.
Environment Minister Nick Smith has referred Ngati Tama Ki Te Waipounamu Trust’s application for a Water Conservation Order for Waikoropupu Springs to a special tribunal.
He says the springs, which contain the clearest water measured anywhere in the world, deserve consideration for the highest protection possible for a water body.
Water conservation orders are the equivalent of National Park status for a water body and override any district or regional plan.
There are 15 orders nationwide covering 13 rivers and two lakes.
There is controversy in the region over the impact of a potential water bottling plant and about nutrient run-off.
The tribunal will hear submissions and make a recommendation to the Minister for the Environment, which can be appealed to the Environment Court.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
