Media Release
9 November 2016

Review of Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has agreed to commission an independent review of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.

At today’s Council meeting Councillors voted to commission a review of the key contractual, legal, financial, economic and environmental elements of the scheme, including the impacts and consequences of implementing Plan Change 6 with and without the scheme, and withdrawing from the Scheme.

HBRC Group Manager Strategic Development James Palmer will report back to Council at its meeting on 30 November with detailed advice on the packages of work to be included in the review, resource implications, how long it will take and whether any external advice will be required.

HBRC Chairman Rex Graham told the meeting the community is insisting on pausing and “having a cup of tea”, so it is time to review the scheme and all the issues surrounding it. He says whatever the Council decides there will be serious consequences and it is important the Council is fully informed before making any future decisions on the scheme.

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