Controversial hydro scheme gets first tick

Tauranga-based electricity generator and retailer TrustPower has gained interim approval for its proposed hydro scheme in Marlborough's Wairau Valley.

In an interim decision today, a panel of three commissioners appointed by the Marlborough District Council said approval for the scheme may be granted if conditions can be met that would ensure the environmental impact of the power scheme will be no more than minor.

Further submissions would be sought on the scope of conditions that would be attached to resource consents to manage any impact the scheme might have on the Wairau River and its environs, Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman said.

The conditions would include requirements that any change to river flow and distribution would be no more than would occur naturally from time to time.

There would also be requirements that any water quality change would have minimal effect on aquatic ecology, and that the continued survival of the black-fronted tern and black billed gull would not be significantly affected.

A hearing on TrustPower's two applications for more than 200 resource consents was held from June until December last year.

Trustpower's proposal is to divert some of the water from Marlborough's Wairau River through 46km of canals and five power stations and then return the water to the river.

Trustpower said the scheme would contribute significantly to meeting demand for electricity in the Marlborough and Tasman area, making it more self-sufficient in electricity supply.

The proposal attracted 602 submissions in support and 1033 against.

- NZPA

Analysis of the Wairau River dispute (NZ Listener article)