Editorial: Vital that right dam decision is made

Andrew Austin, Editor of Hawke's Bay Today.

The euphoria the anti-Ruataniwha dam camp probably feels now that the balance of power on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council has shifted may soon be tempered by a large dose of reality.

Their jubilation that the dam can finally be canned may soon give way to the sobering understanding that this is easier said than done.

You don't find a more anti-dam councillor than Paul Bailey - after all he was recently elected on that ticket - but don't be surprised if even he takes a very measured approach to handling the problem.

After the game-changing election, the focus of the majority on the council may very well shift from pushing the dam through to exploring ways of getting out of the project, paring it back or other alternatives.

The fiercest opponents may believe they elected the anti-dam brigade on a "can the dam" ticket, but the enormity of the decision the councillors have to make will be weighing heavily on their shoulders. They will know that they need to get this one absolutely right.

This is not a time for brash and punitive moves. This is a time for careful and thoughtful consideration. Sure, it looks like there is a mandate from parts of Hawke's Bay, excluding the coalface of CHB, to stop the project going ahead, but legally how do you actually do that? And is this in the best interest of the whole region.

The last thing that anyone wants is a swift decision to be met by a myriad of legal challenges that simply soak up even more ratepayers funds in lawyers' fees.

The sensible solution, mooted by new (old) councillor Neil Kirton and seemingly supported by a number of other councillors, seems to be calling a moratoriumon on any more decisions on the dam to allow the new council to get a handle on what legally can be done.

This seems a wise course of action to take.

I believe it is also important for the council to consult as widely as possible. Speak to interest groups, including CHB farmers, investors, opponents and experts, among others.
What is the best way forward?

It also needs to be clear what people are opposing - is it the dam itself or the way the process has been handled?

Let's hope the new regional council, led by new chair Rex Graham, does the due dilegence so that the right decisions can be made either way.