Part 6Enforcement and other matters
Enforcement: Abatement notices
244Environment Court may order stay of abatement notice
An appeal against an abatement notice does not operate as a stay of the notice unless—
- the abatement notice is within the scope of section 240(1)(a)(ii) and the person against whom the notice is served is complying with this Act, any regulation made under a relevant empowering provision in this Act (including a national rule), a rule in a plan, or a planning consent; or
- a stay is granted by an Environment Judge under subsection (6).
Any person who appeals under section 243 may also apply to an Environment Judge for a stay of the abatement notice pending the Environment Court’s decision on the appeal.
An application for a stay must be in the prescribed form and must—
- state the reasons why the person considers it is unreasonable for the person to comply with the abatement notice; and
- state the likely effect on the environment if the stay is granted; and
- be lodged with the Environment Court and served immediately on the local authority or the EPA whose abatement notice is appealed against.
If a person applies for a stay, an Environment Judge must consider the application for a stay as soon as practicable after the application has been lodged.
Before granting a stay, an Environment Judge must consider—
- what the likely effect of granting a stay would be on the environment; and
- whether it is unreasonable for the person to comply with the abatement notice pending the decision on the appeal; and
- whether to hear—
- the applicant:
- the applicant; and
- the applicant:
- such other matters as the Judge thinks fit.
An Environment Judge may grant or refuse a stay and may impose any terms and conditions the Judge thinks fit.
Any person to whom a stay is granted must serve a copy of it on the local authority or the EPA whose abatement notice is appealed against, and the stay has no legal effect until served.
Any stay remains in force until an order is made otherwise by the Environment Court.



