Open talks about irrigation scheme set

WATER PLAN: Site of the proposed Ruataniwha dam.

A meeting about the Ruataniwha dam organised for Tuesday is intended to be a forum for "open discussion" on the economics of the proposed Central Hawke's Bay water storage scheme, lobby group Transparent Hawke's Bay says.

But the meeting will no longer include a presentation on a cheaper alternative irrigation scheme being floated by four Hawke's Bay Regional Council members.

And a prior commitment means a key staff member from Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Company (HBRIC), the regional council-owned promoter of the dam, will not attend the Waipawa meeting.

Tuesday's meeting, at 7pm in the CHB Municipal Theatre, follows one earlier this month that included presentations from South Island farmers involved in irrigation schemes.

"The meeting next week is about getting to understand the facts around our own Hawke's Bay proposed scheme and what it means for our farmers, growers and communities, economically and financially," Transparent Hawke's Bay chairwoman Pauline Elliott said.

"It is intended to be non-partisan, non-divisive, and a good opportunity to put up any questions that still need answers." Speakers would include Wellington economist Peter Fraser, who recently published a paper questioning the economics of the Ruataniwha scheme.

Farm adviser Barrie Ridler and Central Hawke's Bay farmer Andrew Wilson would also speak at the meeting.

Ms Elliott said Transparent Hawke's Bay had invited HBRIC to attend the meeting. HBRIC chief executive Andrew Newman said yesterday the group had asked if commercial manager Duncan MacLeod could attend but Mr MacLeod had a prior commitment.

"We have noted that if individual water users have questions to ask then it's easy to give Duncan a ring," Mr Newman said.

Four regional councillors with concerns about the Ruataniwha scheme previously said they intended to present a study into the feasibility of a cheaper alternative to the meeting.

The councillors - Rick Barker, Peter Beaven, Tom Belford and Rex Graham - unsuccessfully tried to get the council to fund the study this month.

Ms Elliott said Tuesday's meeting was aimed at examining the proposal on the table while Mr Graham said the four councillors were still seeking to raise funding for their feasibility study.

"We thought we'd go to the Waipawa meeting and just see what kind of support there is for an alternative, although we won't be presenting, we'll just be in the audience," Mr Graham said.