Hydro report threat to conservation

28 July 2004

Contact:Kevin Hackwell, Conservation Manager, 04 385 7374, 021 227 8420

On the eve of Conservation Week, the Ministry of Economic Development has released a list of proposed hydroelectric schemes it believes are likely within the next 20 years, including the controversial West Coast Dobson scheme already rejected by the Government.

"Those of us who were around in the Muldoon years have seen it all before," said Forest and Bird's Conservation Manager Kevin Hackwell.

"It is clear that the MED is nostalgic for the Ministry of Works and the National Development Act," he said.

"This report should be a wake up call to communities throughout the country on the implications of amending the Resource Management Act. If a 'national interest' clause is written into the RMA it'll be open slather on a river near you," he said.

"This is the new 'Think Big.' Many of these proposals - like Dobson - will only be possible by causing severe environmental damage. The authors of this report appear to have no concept of the environmental consequences of what they are proposing," he said.

"Its extraordinary that government officials are proposing further damage of our rivers when all the indicators show New Zealand's rivers are already in trouble. Last year's annual report on the Biodiversity Strategy predicted extinctions of freshwater species. Recently, a report was published revealing that most of New Zealand's lowland streams are too polluted to swim in. We want solutions to these problems, not more destruction," he said.

"There will be widespread unease in communities throughout New Zealand when people realise the full consequences of this report," he said.

"Most of the high and medium confidence proposals will destroy local rivers for the amount of power a small wind farm with the latest wind turbines could generate1. Faced with losing a local river or having a small wind farm I know what most communities would choose," he said.

"It would be great if the MED and their engineers could come into the 21st Century," he said.

ENDS
Notes:
1. The latest Meridian wind turbines generate 1.65 MW each
2. Key rivers targeted in the report:

Northland Region
Purua Rapids

Waikato
Waipapa River
Waipa River

Bay of Plenty
Tarawera River
Rangataiki River
Waimana
Ruakokore River

Gisborne
Mata River
Waingakia Stream
Waitahaia

Hawkes Bay
Wairoa and Mangapoike Rivers
Mohaka River
Ngaruroro River
Tukituki River

Taranaki
Patea River

Wanganui-Manawatu
Mangawhero River
Waimiha Stream
Waimarino Stream
Waikoura/Mangahuka
Hautapu River
Pohangina River

Wellington/Wairarapa
Waiohine River
Waingawa River

Nelson Marlborough
Pelorus River
Wairua River
Waihopai River
Awatere
Waimea
Wairoa

West Coast
Rough River
Upper Grey
Lower Grey
Dobson
(also mentioned Zeilian Creek, Moeraki River, Wanganui River, Te Naihi/Waiatoto, Taipo, Mahitahi, Lake Rochfort, Waiho/Tartare, Waimangaroa)

Canterbury
Clarence (diversion to Waiau)
Waiau
Hurunui
Ashburton
Project Aqua
Hopkins River
Waitaki/Kakanui

Otago
Manuherikia River
Upper Clutha
Lake Hawea
Nevis River
Taieri Falls
Lower Taieri
Deep Stream
Lee Stream

Southland
Waiau River