More thoughts on the Waimea Dam funding: extracts from a submission to Tasman District Council by Dr. Christopher R. Bennett, who has spent some time delving into the economic reports on the dam funding proposals. Chris says:
From the material I have reviewed it appears that the proposed funding model for the Lee Valley Dam is predicated on a several key decisions which result in a larger, more expensive dam than is required. These decisions have been made on what seem to be sound technical and environmental advice, but have been made in isolation from: (i) the ability and willingness to pay by those expected to fund the dam; and, (ii) the economic and social benefits arising from the decisions.
Chris is suggesting that TDC should:
Read more: Waimea Dam: Do we really need 30% for Environmental Flow?
The Moutere Hills Residents Association is polling its members and the community to produce a submission to the first consultation phase of the proposed Waimea Dam - and to find out which alternatives for improving water supply to the area best match the needs and interests of local residents.
This online survey only takes about two minutes to complete and all residents of the Moutere catchment should have their say. We need your feedback - this is how you can influence the future of the district!
For those who want more details on the proposed Waimea Dam there are now new reports available through TDC.
The Waimea Dam Economic Assessment report by commissioned by the regional Economic Development Agency is available from the EDA website.
Mayor Kempthorne says: "This report provides the economic rationale and benefits available through its construction."
"The Council acknowledges the report focuses on the economic future of the area and is primarily focused on the horticulture sector as one would expect of a report commissioned by the EDA. However, the link between a sustainable economy and social and community needs is very clear."
"What this report does not cover is the issue of affordability for Tasman ratepayers. Significant external contributions by Central Government and our local government partners are critical to providing an affordable financial model for constructing the dam."
Full news item at TDC website.
Also now available: commissioned from NZIER the report ‘How to pay for a dam’ investigates the public and private benefits derived from the dam and the options the Council has to finance it as a result.
This report is available here.
An Update on Water Supply in the Moutere Hills Area (and the Waimea Dam)
Since the public meeting organised by the MHRA in April we have spent some time piecing together the factors affecting the provision of a potable water supply for the residents of the Dovedale and Upper Moutere area. This included meeting with a representative of TDC engineering department and with the chair of the present Dovedale Water Committee, and collecting information from the TDC website.
Water supply on the Dovedale Scheme has become somewhat more reliable as faulty sections have been replaced, but the water quality remains below standard and worsens over summer as intake reduces and water is taken from a lower outlet. A permanent "boil water notice" continues to be in place. TDC has not yet produced a required Public Health Risk Management Plan for the scheme and says this "will be reviewed as part of the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan". The volume available from the present source cannot be increased, and the scheme is seen as slowly amassing more debt.
Plans exist at TDC for supplying water to the Dovedale scheme from a new source in the Motueka river gravels near Woodstock to improve both quality and available quantity. However, any such plans have been postponed by TDC with a new "placeholder" date of 2026. There is no certainty of this date being any more reliable than the previously announced 2016 date. TDC claim that the $1.6 million dollars estimated to get a new source and treatment station and fix the supply pipes was seen as too high a price to be carried by the people serviced by the present scheme.
One of the problems preventing us moving forward is that focus has been on the existing Dovedale Scheme rather than on actual number of households (potential users) in the distribution area. Our Water Supply Survey is part of our effort to establish a better view of the demand in the distribution area.
We are forwarding this news item from the TDC website. The proposed dam will affect all ratepayers in the district, whether they will actually get any water from the dam or not.
A special consultative process related to the proposed Waimea Community Dam will begin this Monday (13 October). Closing on 14 November, the Tasman District Council is consulting with ratepayers and residents on the proposed funding and governance options for the dam.
A Statement of Proposal and Summary of Information was adopted at today’s Council meeting. This set out the Funding and Governance options with some information for context; and identifies Council’s preferred options. A decision whether or not to build the dam will be made in June next year. [...]
The Council has also created a dedicated website which will be turned on Monday 13th and provide information regarding this consultation and provide the history and technical material related to the proposed dam. The web address is www.waimeacommunitydam.co.nz
Public meetings and information sessions are being held throughout the District over the consultation period.
Mayor Kempthorne says “I urge all Tasman ratepayers and residents to take part in the funding and governance consultation.”
Read the full news item at the TDC website.