Tukituki Catchment Proposal –Board of Inquiry Hearing

Day 14 – 6 December 2013

Hastings/Havelock North & Central Hawke’s Bay branches Royal Forest & Bird Society

Both Hastings/Havelock North & Central Hawke’s Bay branches of Royal Forest & Bird Society told the board they have concerns about water quality in the Tukituki River and protecting remaining wetlands including Tukituki Estuary. Their concerns relating to the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme include the blocking of fish passage, loss of mature trees from inundation, effects of land intensification from the scheme. They also had concerns the offset and mitigation package does not go far enough in some areas.

Te Taiao Hawke’s Bay Environmental Forum

Witness called:

Wildland Consultants Ltd Senior Ecologist and Botanist, Dr Kelvin Lloyd told the board the applicant’s assessment understates the adverse effects on indigenous vegetation and flora and fails to recognise the significance of the braided river bird assemblage. Under cross examination Dr Lloyd was asked why after a desktop analysis he felt at risk and threatened species were likely to be in the RWSS area when the other experts who had visited the area disagreed. Dr Lloyd said it was his opinion.

Dr Lloyd says he is uncertain about the value of the proposed mitigation. Under cross-examination he conceded many of the mitigation measures had timelines and costs attached to them.

Cross examination of Dr Lloyd will continue on Monday.

Horticulture NZ & others

Horticulture New Zealand witness called:

AgriBusiness Group director & agricultural and resource economist Stuart Ford says raising the minimum flows will have a significant economic effect on the horticulture industry in drought years. He asked for an alternative flow regime which balances the requirements of the fishery with the horticulture sector. Under cross examination he admitted growers do have options available to them to protect themselves from the effects of drought, but he had not considered that in his economic assessment.

The hearing will move to Waipawa Town Hall next week until December 20th.

To read daily transcripts from the hearing follow this link:

http://www.epa.govt.nz/Resource-management/Tukituki/Hearing/hearing-proceedings/Pages/Hearing%20transcript%20and%20proceedings.aspx