Hydro scheme attracts 1400 submissions

TrustPower's controversial $240 million Wairau River hydro electricity scheme has attracted 1442 submissions.

Of the submissions, 60 per cent oppose the scheme while 40 per cent support the proposed development.

TrustPower community relations manager Graeme Purches said the result was "absolutely fantastic".

He said submissions in support of the scheme had been received from two of the country's other electricity generators as well as national grid operator Transpower.

Marlborough District Council staff have been working through the submissions since the November 4 deadline.

However, last week the council was still accepting submissions, but said they were being clearly labelled as late.

Council resource consents and compliance team leader John Kennedy said yesterday that late submissions were still being entered but it was up to the hearing committee whether they were accepted.

He said the hearing was likely to go ahead in April next year.

- nzpa