Media Release

18 August 2016

Consultation on Proposal for New Service Company

A proposal to set up a new service company for the Ruataniwha Scheme opens for public consultation today.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is asking for public input on the proposal from its investment company, Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Ltd (HBRIC Ltd), to establish a new Council Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO). A full consultation document is on HBRC’s website www.hbrc.govt.nz, search keyword #consultation (http://www.hbrc.govt.nz/our-council/consultation/current-consultations/).

The CCTO would carry out operational work on the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme (Ruataniwha Scheme) under a services agreement with the Ruataniwha Water Limited Partnership. This CCTO is referred to in this consultation as ‘ServiceCo’ but will be renamed on its formation.

The principal responsibilities of the proposed ‘ServiceCo’ are:

• Provide an operational site for the Ruataniwha Scheme, securing all required land

• Responsibility to ensure all resource consent requirements and obligations for the scheme are implemented, including various liaison groups, management plans and mitigation works

• Market and execute new water user agreements

• Establish billing and invoice processes

• Deliver technical operating and maintenance services.

The proposed company would be a limited liability company with no financial recourse to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Administration and operational activities would be fully funded by Ruataniwha Water Limited Partnership (RWLP). ‘ServiceCo’ would create an Operations and Maintenance Contract with RWLP to deliver agreed services and will be fully funded by RWLP for these services.

ServiceCo would be a subsidiary of HBRIC Ltd and carry out the operational work for the Limited Partnership/ General Partner (RWM Ltd) via a service agreement with Ruataniwha Water Limited Partnership. ServiceCo would be established at financial close, at which point an agreement with RWM Ltd would be entered into.

Written submissions will be received by HBRC until 5pm Friday 9 September 2016. The Regional Council will hear submissions onMonday 19 September 2016. Submissions can be completed online at www.hbrc.govt.nz Search #consultation, emailed toinfo@hbrc.govt.nz or mailed to HBRC, Private Bag 6006, Napier 4142.

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