Government approves extension for final Tukituki Catchment Proposal decision
The Minister for the Environment Amy Adams and Minister of Conservation Nick Smith have approved a one month extension
to the timeframe the Board of Inquiry has to produce its final decision and report on the Tukituki Catchment Proposal.
Earlier this month the Board of Inquiry released its one thousand page draft decision granting resource consent for the
Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme and at the same time finalising Tukituki Plan Change 6, which sets minimum flows and
water quality measures for the catchment.
Noting the complexity and importance of its decision to the Hawke’s Bay community, the Board had previously asked for
and was granted a month time extension in February to issue its draft decision, which the Council and HBRIC Ltd
supported.
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and its investment company HBRIC Ltd wrote to the Ministers last week requesting an
additional extension to allow the Board more time to consider comments on the draft decision.
In its comments, Council draws the Board’s attention to aspects of the draft decision, which if confirmed, will have
significant adverse implications in terms of administration of the Resource Management Act and its effect on the farming
communities in the Tukituki Catchment.
Council Interim Chief Executive Liz Lambert says it welcomes the Ministers’ decision and believes it will give the board
additional time to consider the technical complexities of its decision.
The final decision is now due Saturday 28 June 2014, however Council understand the board will release its decision as
soon as practicable within the new timeframe.
Ends