Waimea Community Dam confirmed as best option

Work on the Waimea Community Dam will continue with the Tasman District Council’s recognition that the proposed dam is the most cost effective solution for meeting urban water supply needs. It also deals with water allocation on the Waimea Plains and improves the health of the Waimea River during summer droughts.

“Yesterday’s Council meeting heard that the Waimea Dam is by far and away the lowest cost option for providing households and businesses in Nelson-Tasman with water during droughts, and for many generations to come. Doing nothing is not an option. Collaboration between the Council and Waimea rural businesses is a must,” said Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne.

“Revisiting all of the previous work on the options was a necessary step in the process. Now we have reconfirmed the dam as the most cost effective and efficient response to the acute water shortage on the Plains.

“Funding is still the key concern, especially the request to underwrite the Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd loan to Waimea Irrigators Limited. Once we have the funding firmly established, including securing the required external funding and a tender price, we will be consulting on the funding and governance options with everyone in Tasman District.”
ENDS

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