Media Release
15 April 2014
Board of Inquiry Decision
The chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Investment Company (HBRIC Ltd) says he is pleased with the decision
by the Board of Inquiry to grant resource consent for the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.
The Environmental Protection Authority released the board’s 700 page decision document today which gives consent to
build the scheme and also finalises the Tukituki Plan Change 6, which sets minimum flows and water quality measures for
the catchment.
HBRIC Ltd Chairman Andy Pearce says this is a major step forward for the water storage scheme, however there are some
significant elements of the plan change decision that need to be considered.
“It reflects the enormous amount of time and effort that has been put into this project over the last few years by
Council & HBRIC Ltd staff, and the quality of work from our consultants and advisers,” says Dr Pearce.
Council staff and consultants are currently looking at the detail of Tukituki Plan Change 6 and will be providing
comment on the draft decision back to the board within 20 working days.
There are still a number of steps that need to be taken before the project gets final approval, which include getting
confirmed water contracts from farmers, finalising investors and a final design & construction contract.
Meanwhile, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chairman Fenton Wilson says while the board has endorsed many aspects of the
Council's Proposed Plan Change 6, it has chosen a more conservative approach on nitrate management.
“A huge amount of work has been done to understand the Tukituki Catchment and how we can best improve the water quality
and quantity. This decision acknowledges that work and issues raised during the Board of Inquiry hearing,” says Mr
Wilson.
Mr Wilson says the Council is already looking at how it will work with the community to implement the Plan Change for
the benefit of all river users.
Submitters now have 20 working days to comment on the draft decision, before a final decision is released in late May.
Given the decision is around 700 pages long Council staff are now analysising it and a media conference will be held at
12.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 16 April) where staff will be able to give a more considered response to the decision.