Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project Governance Launched

A briefing last week has set the groundwork for the project leadership group for the feasibility study into the Ruataniwha Plains water storage project, and identified some specific targets for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council staff team to meet in coming months.

The project leadership group was welcomed by Regional Council Chairman Alan Dick who emphasised the value to the whole region of this project.

“Should this project prove feasible, it will be the greatest economic investment in Hawke’s Bay since the port,” said Chairman Dick.

Sam Robinson (Central Hawke’s Bay farmer and current Chairman of AgResearch) chairs the leadership group.

“It’s an exciting project but there’s an enormous amount of work to be done and we appreciate the expertise and input offered by the members of the leadership group to ensure this happens,” said Mr Robinson.

Other members are Dr Roger Maaka as iwi advisor, Gordon Price and Richard Dakin (Central Hawke’s Bay landowners and irrigators), Jim Scotland who is chairman of the Port of Napier Ltd Board, Andrew Bayly, a partner in PriceWaterhouseCooper’s Hawke’s Bay practice, and three Regional Councillors Tim Gilbertson (CHB constituency), Ewan MacGregor (Hastings) and Fenton Wilson (Wairoa).

The briefing by staff included information on the current status of the feasibility study, data on the climate, soils and land use of the area, community liaison and land access priorities. There was also a site visit on the Ruataniwha Plains to familiarise the group with the location and issues.

The option of large storage dams on the main rivers have been specifically excluded and all potential storage dam sites being investigated are off-river or in minor tributaries for environmental and technical reasons; within the Tukituki catchment.

The feasibility study has the support of MAF and is required to take a holistic, all-issues approach, which means it needs to address the economic, social, cultural, environmental and engineering aspects. The study is looking at ways to expand the irrigable area in the basin, improve water security for irrigators, and augment low flows in the rivers in the summer months.

The next leadership group meeting will be held in early June.

A Stakeholder Liaison Group is still being set up under the leadership of Mrs Debbie Hewitt. This will provide guidance to the Regional Council on the community issues, by assessing social, cultural water use efficiency and environmental issues, opportunities and solutions. It is planned that this group will also hold its initial meeting soon.