As previously reported by BayBuzz, the HB Regional Council has set in motion and is paying $3.6 million (some of this a loan from Government/Kānoa) for a full feasibility investigation into the potential viability of a dam and water storage reservoir on a tributary of the Ngaruroro River.

Potentially the scheme would store 27 million cubic metres of water at an estimated construction cost in the $225 million range (sure to rise as these dam projects go).

Apart from monitoring proper use of the feasibility study funding, HBRC has taken steps to separate itself from further decision-making on the project.

Two reasons for this. 

First, HBRC (at least prior to being dissolved potentially by the Government) would play a consenting role if the project were ultimately to be proposed; and second, HBRC has said it would provide no funding for actual construction of the scheme.

Thus, a separate entity has been created (incorporated in November) to progress the project – Heretaunga Water Storage Ltd.

The governance board for this entity consists of: Darryn Russell (Tamatea Pōkai Whenua), Parris Greening (Mana Ahuriri), Xan Harding and Greig Taylor (Heretaunga Sustainable Water – representing irrigators and industrial users), NCC Councillor Keith Price and HDC Councillor Michael Fowler (representing their councils as municipal users of the water).

Ultimately, as potential users of and payers for the stored water, these are the parties that must decide whether the project, dare I say, holds water – environmentally, geotech-wise, economically.

[Ironically, once the Government passes regional council functions on to our territorial authorities (Combined Territories Boards), it would seem they too would be conflicted as both applicant/users and consenting entities.] 

In any event, were this project judged to be viable on its own, it would need to be weighed in a broader ‘water security’ context that involves other storage and aquifer recharge options, to say nothing of wiser water use (e.g., global consenting) and demand suppression alternatives.

So as much as HBRC seeks now to distance itself from the project, ultimately it must weigh in on the scheme’s role (or not) in the bigger water security ‘solution’ for the Heretaunga Plains.

Now that the deck chairs have been sorted, stand by for more BayBuzz reporting on the substance of the feasibility work in the new year.

More HBRC information on the project here.