Farmers critical of Meridian's land buying approach

Meridian Energy's approach to buying land for Project Aqua has been criticised by Kurow farmers.

Meridian released a statement on Monday saying it had acquired more than 60 per cent of the 1482ha it needs for a 60km hydro canal and six power stations between Kurow and Steward Road.

Project Aqua land and finance manager Tim Allan said Meridian was committed to working through the issues with each landowner to reach fair and reasonable agreements.

But landowner Roger Slee said yesterday he had found Meridian "quite difficult to deal with".

Mr Slee said he had been involved in many land transactions during his life, and had "never dealt with anyone so difficult".

Meridian said some agreements were made then withdrawn or lapsed if conditions were not met, as was normal practice during land negotiations.

But Kurow Aqua Liaison Committee chairman and farmer John Watherston questioned whether it was "normal practice" given that in this case it appeared to be the same party withdrawing the agreements during negotiations.

He also emphasised that the "above market rate" offers by Meridian must be put into context -- "these are not willing buyer-seller scenarios".

- OAMARU MAIL