Photo: ODT filesAn Environment Court hearing looking into water quality continued yesterday in Invercargill as appeals on the proposed Southland water and land plan progressed. Much of the hearing focused on the wording of aspects of the plan, such as the specifics of the region-wide objectives. During cross-examination of witnesses Justin Kitto and Gerard Willis, it was agreed there were issues with water quality in Southland. Forest and Bird lawyer Sally Gepp asked if Mr Willis agreed there was an urgent need for the region to make changes to improve water quality, to which he replied, ``certainly there are issues that need to be addressed'', but how quickly that happened would be a policy decision. The hearing is set to continue next week at Ascot Park Hotel and is expected to last until the end of the week.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 14, 2019 16:30 UTC