27 Apr 2010

$37,000 fine for illegal stream works

5:28 pm on 27 April 2010

Wellington Regional Council has welcomed a fine of $37,000 imposed on a South Wairarapa farmer who drained part of a valuable wetland without permission.

Lloyd Rayner admitted not holding a resource consent when he carried out works in a stream in the Tauherenikau Delta in March 2008 before clearing it of vegetation.

The delta is one of the largest remaining wetlands in the Wellington region.

Mr Rayner also admitted excavating a river bed in March 2009.

The court found the excavation diverted water from a river and the wetland.

The council says fine is the largest given out in the region for illegal stream work.