In particular I have focused on the environmental effects of the dam on the Tukituki River. The conclusion that I have reached is that the dam will contribute positively to the restoration of the river and I support the RWSS proceeding.
For me the health of the river must be the first consideration with the economic benefits of the RWSS taking second place. The economic benefits however are significant and cannot be disregarded.
My support for the dam is not unconditional however.
1. I will not support the DOC land being acquired under the Public Works Act
2. I will not support Port of Napier assets being used as collateral for RWSS. My understanding is that they are currently unencumbered.
3. The condition precedent re a corporate investor must be met.
4. Central Hawke's Bay District Council must comply with the conditions of their waste water consent. All other stakeholders are making a considerable investment in the health of the river and CHBDC should not be exempt from this.
Last year HB Regional Council adopted Plan Change 6. This plan change is touted as being the most advanced in the country.
• By June 2018 all farms in the Tukituki Catchment, 1,100 in total, must have farm environmental management plans and these must be implemented by May 2020. If farmers can't meet the specified maximum leaching limits they will have to change their farming practices until the limits are achieved.
• By 2020 stock (cattle) exclusion rules apply to the margins of any flowing waterways in the catchment. This will result in approximately 2,500 kilometres of new fencing.
• The other key aspect of Plan Change 6 is the new minimum flow levels for the Tukituki River. The first flow level increase occurs in July 2018.
There are other environmental controls imposed through the conditions attached to the resource consent for the RWSS. Any land owner receiving water from the scheme must comply with a series of stringent rules. The ultimate control of non-compliant land owners is that water will not be supplied until they take remedial action.
Effectively the controls in Plan Change 6 and the resource consent conditions will regulate the intensification of farming in the RWSS area. Land owners will need to ensure that their farming practices comply if they want to maintain access to the water.
The question must be asked of those who oppose the RWSS - what is your solution for improving the health of the river?
Without the RWSS where will you get the water to meet the new minimum flow limits?
If the answer to the second question is to severely cut back on existing water consents then we need to be very aware of the implications on businesses such as Silver Fern Farms, Heinz Wattie and McCains. There is a very real risk that their operations would be significantly downsized in Hawke's Bay with a resulting loss of jobs.
The effect of job losses will be felt in Hastings as much, or more, as it will in Central Hawke's Bay.
Taking all of the above into account I have reached the conclusion that there is a compelling case for the RWSS.
The health of the Tukituki River will be significantly improved over a period of time. We do need to recognise however that it has taken more than a century for the river to degrade and there is no quick fix.
The important thing is that the journey has started.
I celebrate this.
# Cynthia Bowers is the Deputy Mayor of Hastings and is seeking election to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council in Hastings in next month's local government elections.
