27 March 2014
Timeline on public consultation on Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme released
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has set out a provisional timeline for consulting with the public around potential
investment in the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.
Council’s investment company HBRIC Ltd presented its business case to council today (26th March).
Below is the provisional timeline for HBRC in relation to the water storage scheme. Any decision to proceed will include
a special consultative process, which is the opportunity for the public to comment. This public consultation phase will
be undertaken from 1 May to 3 June 2014.
Indicative timeline
DateActivityWednesday 26 March 2014Presentation of HBRIC Ltd Business Case to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
(as agenda item in open session)Wednesday 9 April 2014Presentation of Nimmo-Bell Alternative Investments report to Committee
(as agenda item in open session)Tuesday 15 April 2014Final date for Board of Inquiry draft decisions on Plan Change 6 and RWSS resource consentsWednesday 16 April 2014
Presentation of Deloitte peer review of HBRIC Ltd business case
(as agenda item in open session)Wednesday 16 April 2014Presentation of draft Statement of Proposal for Council to consider
(as agenda item in open session)Wednesday 30 April 2014Council adopts the Statement of Proposal, and Summary of Proposal, for public consultation
(as agenda item in open session)Thursday 1 May 2014Public notice of Statement of Proposal, including notice of public meetings5 May – 30 May 2014Public meetings held throughout Hawke’s BayWednesday 28 May 2014Board of Inquiry issues final decisions no later than this dateMonday 3 June 2014Public Submissions closeWeek beginning Monday 16 June 2014Hearings heldWednesday 25 June 2014HBRC final decision
The Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme has the potential to supply secure water for irrigated farming and horticultural
uses to 25,000-30,000 hectares of land for farming, while improving the water quality and summer flows in the Tukituki
River. If given approval, and once operational, the scheme is expected to create around 2,520 new jobs throughout
Hawke’s Bay.
ENDS