Tukituki Catchment Proposal – Board of Inquiry Hearing

Day 15 – 9 December 2013           

The Board of Inquiry hearing moved to Waipawa Town Hall today.

Te Taiao Hawke’s Bay Environmental Forum

Witnesses called:

•          Wildland Consultants Ltd Senior Ecologist and Botanist, Dr Kelvin Lloyd continued giving evidence via video link from Dunedin. He was questioned about his belief that 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. Also about his opinion that the Tukituki River is as outstanding water body when other experts who have studied the river disagree.

•          Te Taiao Hawke’s Bay Environmental Forum Coordinator – John Cheyne told the board while the dam would have positive effects on river flows it will have an adverse effect on terrestrial habitat and species. He said he didn’t believe the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme and Tukituki Plan Change 6 formed an environmentally sustainable framework.

Horticulture New Zealand

Counsel for Horticulture New Zealand says the organisation generally supports Tukituki Plan Change 6 and Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme. It only has one unresolved matter, which is the minimum flow increase from 4,300 litres per second to 5,200 litres per second in 2023. Horticulture New Zealand commended HBRC for the open and transparent manner in which they have engaged with the sector on these matters.

Witnesses called:
•          Horticulture NZ Manager - Resource Management & Environment - Christopher Keenan says the key issue is ensuring there is water available at critical times to avoid economic loss.

•          Sinclair Knight Merz Senior Hydrologist - Dr Philip Jordan began giving evidence and will continue tomorrow (10 December 2013)

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

ENDS

© Scoop Media