Meridian Presents Case for North Bank Tunnel

Media release for immediate use Monday 13 August 2007

Meridian Energy Presents Case for North Bank Tunnel Concept

Meridian Energy has today begun presenting its case for the North Bank Tunnel (NBTC) water-only consents on the lower Waitaki River. A hearing before three Environment Canterbury commissioners will continue in Timaru for 24 days over the next two months.

Meridian Energy spokesman Alan Seay says the company is confident it can successfully obtain these consents after presentation of a carefully investigated application, which has been more than three years in preparation.

Mr Seay says the case for the North Bank Tunnel is straight forward and hinges on some key points.

They are:

- The nation needs more electricity, particularly from renewable sources. NBTC will provide 1100-1400GWh per annum of electricity from renewable sources

- Meridian’s application is not contrary to the objectives and policies of the Waitaki River Allocation Plan (the Plan)

- The application is non-complying because it does not meet the standards in one rule of the Plan (minimum flow and flushing flows)

- The environmental effects of NBTC’s flow regime and the Plan’s minimum flow are barely discernible

- The effects on the environment of the NBTC flow regime can generally be avoided, remedied or mitigated

- Meridian has carefully constructed river management plans on the basis of the best scientific advice and by integrating input from stakeholders, including cultural values. Our plans will not only mitigate but in many cases enhance the river environment. Meridian is committed to continuing constant consultation with Ngai Tahu to ensure we continue to provide for cultural wellbeing

- Meridian has adopted an approach of providing for the community, stakeholders and Ngai Tahu to be involved in the ongoing development and implementation of mitigation in the post-NBTC environment throughout the lifetime of the consent.

The North Bank Tunnel Concept would divert water from Lake Waitaki, just behind the dam, 128 metres underground through a tunnel into a power station and return it to the river 34 kilometres downstream near Stonewall on the north bank. This application is for water-only consents – to take water from the lake and discharge it back into the river.

ENDS

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