Judge rules controversial developer’s project threat to public
An Auckland developer is back before the courts over a pile of backfill and rubbish deemed a public danger.
Augustine Lau is defending a string of charges before the Environment Court regarding several properties he has helped develop.
Neighbours have accused Lau of creating ‘‘slumsvilles’’.
In one case, the court ordered emergency measures at a property in Flat Bush after it was found human faeces were being flushed straight into a stream.
In the latest decision, Judge Jeff Smith ordered Lau to stop earthworks on a property in Otahuhu after concerns were raised about the stability of the land. The property is owned by Jiawen Mao, with Lau ‘‘intimately involved’’ with the operations on the site.
A large amount of fill and rubbish had been placed on the site, including near the rear of the section that sloped towards a stream.
Seeking emergency measures, the council noted the potential for a slip, or asbestos contamination.
There are two daycare centres nearby and the report noted there was a possibility a child may enter onto the site if it was not properly screened.
Lau, who has previously claimed he is a victim of council corruption, said the fill had been illegally dumped by an unknown third party and was subject to a police complaint. It was a ‘‘revenge’’ attack, he claimed.