‘This is going to set a precedent’ – council applying to evict homeowners
A precedent enabling local councils and the government to evict victims of climate change from their homes may be about to be set.
The Whakatane District Council is applying for 34 properties’ land use rights to be revoked in Matata, because it says they are at risk of debris flows. The change would force residents to abandon their homes and land.
Mayor Tony Bonne said the application would “more than likely” go through, and would “be a precedent for New Zealand”.
Environmental Health Watch NZ 