Matata dam not a done deal says council

Protests against the proposed construction of a debris dam in Matata may be a little premature.

With resource consent yet to be sought, the dam is far from a done deal, says the Whakatane District Council, which has accepted a recommendation to build a debris dam to protect Matata from future flooding.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty town was devastated by floods in May. At a meeting in December councillors decided to accept a recommendation to build a debris dam and debris flood channel beside the Awatarariki Stream.

But consents and funding are yet to be finalised.

The council's communications manager Barney Dzowa said the decision followed extensive review and assessment of reports and information on the various options, which indicated significant costs for both property owners in Matata and property owners in the rest of the district.

The proposal has raised the ire of Te Rangatiratango O Ngati Rangitihi, with secretary David Potter describing it as disgraceful. He said a formal objection had been lodged with the council on the basis the debris dam would damage wahi tapu [sacred] ground, as the land was a former pa site and burial ground for Ngati Rangitihi ancestors.

Mr Potter accused the council of ignoring its obligations under the Resource Management Act to consult iwi.

Mr Dzowa said the proposal to build the dam was made as part of an acceptance of the whole rebuilding package for the coastal town after May's floods.

However, any final decision was months away with resource consent applications yet to be submitted and put out for submissions.

"We have not yet started the Resource Management Act process ... There may be more than one objection.

"All that has been accepted so far is the overall package, now we know the financial help we are going to get from the government," he said.