Tukituki Catchment Proposal –Board of Inquiry Hearing

Day 6 – 26 November 2013

Day 6 focussed on the potential adverse effects of the RWSS on aquatic ecology and habitat, birds, bats and bugs, as well as the conceptual TRIM model developed to predict nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in streams under the proposed RWSS.

Associate Professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland and co-director of Walkingbats (environmental consulting firm specialising in bats) - Dr Stuart Parsons

Dr Parsons told the board while the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme could have short term effects on long tailed bats, the proposed integrated offset and mitigation programme could have quite positive effects for the bats.

Counsel for Royal Forest & Bird Society questioned Dr Parsons on the effectiveness of artificial bat roost boxes and the research done on these.

Director of Green Inc Limited (environmental consultancy) – Dr John Craig

Dr Craig told the board he believed birds would benefit positively from the proposed integrated offset and mitigation programme for the RWSS.

Counsel for Royal Forest & Bird Society questioned Dr Craig on his belief that the greatest problem for New Zealand bird species is no longer loss of habitat but the presence of predators.

Dr Craig was also asked about his opinion that he does not consider the Tukituki River to be an outstanding water body.

Senior Water Engineer and Project Director of Tonkin & Taylor Ltd – Dr Tim Fisher

Dr Fisher told the board he assessed the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme (RWSS) for its effects on river sediment, including in the Reservoir and in downstream rivers and on the coast.

Counsel for Royal Forest & Bird Society asked Dr Fisher about the effect RWSS would have on gravel build up downstream of the proposed dam.

National Institute Water & Atmospheric Research Principal Scientist Freshwater - Dr Kit Rutherford

Dr Rutherford developed the TRIM conceptual models of the Tukituki Catchment, which have been developed for RWSS to predict nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in streams. He told the board while the TRIM model is not perfect, it is fit for purpose as use as a framework.

Counsel for Environmental Defence Society and Hawke’s Bay and Eastern Fish & Game Councils questioned the accuracy of the TRIM model and how fit for purpose it is.

Cawthron Institute freshwater ecologist - Dr Roger Young

Dr Roger Young told the board he has worked closely with the RWSS project team to mitigate the potential adverse effects of the proposed scheme on in-stream freshwater aquatic ecology.

Counsel for Royal Forest & Bird Society, Environmental Defence Society and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated questioned Dr Young on the loss of aquatic habitat as a result of RWSS and the effectiveness of a trap and transfer programme and fish passages as detailed in his report.

Witnesses appearing Wednesday 27 November:-

Gavin Lister

Simon Bickler

Simon Harris

Adam Uytendaal

Olivier Ausseil

Michele Frey

Rob van Voorthuysen (if time allows)

ends

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