Editorial: Big turnout proves dam is hot issue

There was a huge turnout at the public meeting about the proposed Ruataniwha Dam, at Tamatea Intermediate School, Napier. Pictured speaker is Andy MacFarlane.

The passion locals have for this province was clearly shown by the huge turnout we had at the Hawke's Bay Today Ruataniwha Dam public meeting at Tamatea Intermediate School in Napier last week.

I had been expecting 300 people, but quietly hoped that 500 would come. Seven hundred turned up, such was the interest in this project.

My thanks to the principal of Tamatea Intermediate, Roy Sye, who is also a Napier City Councillor, for letting us use the hall and for all his hard work on the night in finding extra seating for everyone. Tamatea Intermediate is truly a school with community spirit. The meeting would not have happened if the main players did not turn up. Once again thanks to Andrew Newman, CEO of the Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Company and his team, as well as Meg Rose, the chair of Transparent Hawke's Bay and her panelists for being part of what I believe was a very successful evening.

I am pleased to announce that the next public meeting organised by Hawke's Bay Today will be on the biggest issue facing this region - amalgamation of our five local councils. There has been fierce debate in the pages of this newspaper and now readers will be able to hear the arguments for and against at a public meeting.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, who opposes amalgamation, and Rebecca Turner who is chairman of the pro-amalgamation group, A Better Hawke's Bay, have agreed to each put together a three-person team to debate the issue at a public meeting at Napier Boys' High School on the evening of Tuesday, August 18. More details soon. Thanks to Napier Boys' for the hall.

Take note of the date as this is one debate you don't want to miss.