January 24, 2014
Last minute deal on dam conditions
Hawke's Bay Regional Council has struck a deal with Maori over aspects of the giant Ruataniwha dam proposal, but opposition remains over water quality and availability in the Tukituki catchment.
A board of inquiry has completed 29 days of hearings, and has retired to consider whether the dam should go ahead.
On the last day lawyers for the council, Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea informed the board that agreement had been reached on amendments to the proposed plan change, new conditions for the water scheme and more action to offset the impact of the project.
But there was still dispute over core issues such as how the impact of nutrient run-off will be measured.
The board is expected to produce a draft decision in early March and a final decision in April
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