Media Release

27 August 2013

HBRC Manager to take up new Wairarapa Water role

A highly-skilled Hawke’s Bay Regional Council staff member has been appointed to a new position as project director for the Wairarapa Water Project.

Michael Bassett-Foss has been with HBRC for four years and has played a critical role in issues of real relevance to the future of Hawke’s Bay. He started with Venture Hawke’s Bay, the regional economic development agency at that time, and moved across to HBRC 18 months later.

The Wairarapa Water Project is at an early stage and moving towards examining the feasibility of large scale water storage in the Wairarapa Valley. Michael will manage this next crucial phase, which is similar to the work undertaken on the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.

While at HBRC, Michael has overseen the development of the regional economic development strategy and been a core team member on the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme. He has initiated the agribusiness pan sector hub in Hawke’s Bay, which has been closely involved in helping to define the positive and negative impacts of water regulation and the water storage scheme.

He has also overseen the development of a critical relationship with Crown Minerals in relation to oil and gas exploration on the East Coast, an area where HBRC will play an increasingly important role in regional planning and regulation should the industry develop.

In addition, Michael has assisted with the development of the Massey University alliance with the region and provided support to parties working on the future of the East Coast Rail Link.

Michael will finish at HBRC on 20 September.

Given the relevance and importance of this role, HBRC will be recruiting a replacement as quickly as possible.

ENDS

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