The Environmental Tribunal has adjourned to October 15 a matter concerning a motion by Next Generation Holdings (Fiji) Pte Ltd seeking discovery of documents in its appeal against the rejection of its Environmental Impact Assessment report.
The matter was called before Magistrate Charles Ratakele today, with TNG lawyer Tomasi Tuitoga informing the Tribunal that the respondents had filed an affidavit in reply to the motion.
Mr Tuitoga told the Tribunal he would need time to consider the respondents’ affidavit and determine whether TNG needed to file an affidavit in response. Lawyer Taufik Ali, appearing for the respondents, had no objection to the adjournment.
The Tribunal granted the adjournment and set October 15 for the matter to be called again. TNG is challenging the Director of Environment’s June 4 decision to reject its EIA report for its proposed development at Vuda Point.
The company has previously argued that the decision was based on errors of law and an improper exercise of statutory powers. The discovery motion relates to documents TNG says are relevant to its appeal.
The respondents have previously maintained that some of the documents sought were internal documents and were not before the Director of Environment when the decision to reject the EIA was made.
