Media Release

21 May 2013

Pauline Elliott

For Transparent Hawke’s Bay

Response to Auditor General’s Conclusions

Transparent Hawke’s Bay (THB) has received the Auditor General’s conclusion to a complaint it made regarding inadequate public consultation on the proposal to pursue the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.

"While disappointing at one level, we are very pleased that, as a result of our actions, serious concerns around the lack of transparency and adequate information on the economic and financial viability of this scheme have been brought to the public arena.  These concerns still run high and have gathered widespread support and consternation.

This puts the Regional Council on public notice that a 'clayton's' consultation process is no longer acceptable. Business, iwi, community, environment and ratepayer groups and individuals will demand a robust consultation process locally, once the RMA process is complete.

It should be noted that the Audit Office conclusion does not in any way, "cover off" the issues raised by Mayors Arnott and Yule regarding the potential risk to ratepayers. This matter is likely to be the subject of intense scrutiny as the project progresses through the Resource Management phase and beyond"

ENDS