There has been plenty of discussion about the environmental effects of the Ruataniwha Scheme.
The Environmental Protection Authority's Board of Inquiry spent six weeks listening to everyone's views before making a decision of granting consents for the scheme.
It is fair to say the environmental benefits and effects of this scheme have been extensively traversed. For us because of our obligations as Kaitiaki of Te Taiao (the natural world), we would not support this scheme if we felt it would harm our precious taonga. We have read all the reports and visited the affected areas and met with the project team to ensure that protection and mitigation measures are in place.
We are not concerned about the land swap proposal between the Department of Conservation and the scheme, it is a win-win situation. While there will be a loss of 22 hectares, there will be a gain of 146 hectares that have other conservation values not currently present in the area. DoC's own extensive research of the proposal has concluded that from an ecological and biological point of view the land exchange would enhance the conservation values of land managed by the Department of Conservation and be a welcome addition to the Ruahine Forest Park. It was also very reassuring to hear the ecologist Gerry Kessels, in his address to the CHB rotary, that no species will become extinct as a result of the land swap.
Another potential environmental win is the possibility of improving the quality of Lake Hatuma (Whatuma), an iconic landmark to the hapu of Tamatea. With farmers near the lake showing interest in taking water from the scheme it is possible that water could be delivered into the lake and flowing down the Mangatarata stream for use by farmers further down the line. Because of low water levels the lake is currently quite degraded and the ability to raise the level of the lake through the delivery of freshwater into it on a regular basis will have a huge positive environmental benefit.
The economic benefits of the Water Storage Scheme will be far reaching as it will attract investment and create employment, and the flow-on effect will be a range of opportunities here in Hawke's Bay that do not presently exist. The additional money coming into the region will boost local economies not just in Central Hawke's Bay but throughout the region.
Socially, the hope is that young couples will find steady jobs and then they can confidently take out mortgages to buy their own homes and thereby create stable communities. We are likely to see more people move to the region for work. This will boost local sports clubs and community groups and grow a greater sense of belonging within our communities. It is likely to also mean our young people won't be forced to move out of the region to work. Being able to keep our whanau in the area would be a wonderful outcome for us.
We have not taken the decision to support this scheme lightly having weighed up all the pros and cons and considered whether it will be of benefit to our people and the wider Hawke's Bay community. We are confident this scheme will bring huge benefits to our region and to our people, and hopefully we can soon see this new and exciting development in Central Hawke's Bay commence not only the present generation but those who are to come.
-Professor Roger Maaka is Chairman of Tamatea Taiwhenua
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