A judge has outlined his reasons for dismissing charges against two companies Environment Southland attempted to prosecute in the Environment Court. However, judgeDwyer dismissed the charges against both companies following the prosecution’s evidence. The Mersey St site had previously been used for engineering and a site investigation revealed the soils were contaminated, with a preliminary report confirming heavy metals, Environment Southland alleged. During the hearing, Environment Southland lawyer Tim McGuigan said a key issue was whether or not the contaminants found at the Yorke property had come from the Mersey St site. The charges against both are dismissed accordingly.”Stuff asked Environment Southland this week what the financial cost of its failed prosecution was, but a communications spokeswoman, Leeana Tamati, said there were still considerations required within statutory timeframes since the court’s decision.

Source: Stuff May 14, 2021 00:11 UTC