Waikato Regional Council has issued consents for a milk factory at Arapuni in South Waikato following an agreement with local iwi Ngati Koroki Kahukura.
Last year, South Waikato Processing Facility applied for consents for discharges into the air from gas fired boilers and a drying plant, and the discharge of treated wastewater.
The wastewater was to be irrigated on to dairy pasture, with a buffer zone of at least 150 metres from neighbouring houses.
Commissioners considered the potential adverse effects of the air and ground discharges, would be either minor or could be adequately mitigated.
But Ngati Koroki Kahukura disagreed and appealed to the Environment Court.
However following negotiations between the iwi, the company and the regional council, the consent wording has been changed.