Group put on hold

Plans for an incorporated society to fight cubicle dairy farming in the Upper Waitaki might now be on hold, but they hold a warning to anyone else considering such a proposal.

Twizel resident Scott Aronsen, one of those involved in a calling a public meeting opposing the farming option late last year, was delighted to hear of the firms' decision to can plans for cubicle farms in the area. "We are pretty happy with it [the decision] but we were working on incorporating a society so we could apply for funding to fight them."

They had got so far as to name the organisation – the Ohau Protection Society – and had officers and a committee ready to start the fight. "We can hang it up for the time being, but we are prepared to pick up our tools from where we are now if there is another application."

Mr Aronsen said the group had been surprised by the support they had been gaining in recent weeks, with a number of local farmers having joined their ranks.

High Court action to overturn the land use consents that the Waitaki District Council has already issued for the three farms will proceed.

- © Fairfax NZ News