Council needs to stop wasting money on dam

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council needs to show environmental and financial leadership and stop throwing its pet dam project a lifeline, the Green Party said today.

The Council today approved a $80 million spend on the proposed dam project. Trustpower and Ngai Tahu have both previously pulled out of the controversial irrigation scheme, and the project lacks the required commitment of farmers who want to use the water.

“It’s time for the Council to stop wasting money and pull the plug on this project,” Green Party water spokesperson Eugenie Sage said today.

“Subsidising projects that will result in more pollution of our rivers is not smart green economics.

“With private investors pulling out, the Council’s investment company shouldn’t be asking the public to prop up this risky project.

“The project doesn’t stack up economically, environmentally and half of the proposed jobs the proponents are trumpeting are uncertain,” said Ms Sage.

ends

© Scoop Media