9 Jul 2009

Trust considers appeal against coastal ruling

10:45 am on 9 July 2009

The Te Arai Coastal Lands Trust is considering appealing a ruling by Rodney District Council that stops it from developing a coastal park and 180 holiday houses in Northland.

The council declined requests by the trust to change the district plan, after independent commissioners said a development would ruin the special characteristics of Te Arai beach.

The development is a joint project involving Te Uri o Hau, which gained the land as part of its Treaty of Waitangi settlement with the Crown.

The Te Arai Coastal Lands Trust says the council's decision denies the hapu commercial returns, jobs and economic benefit, while still having to maintain the land.

The trust has 30 days to appeal to the Environment Court.