Wairau a precious resource that must be protected

14 August 2006 - Nelson

Contact: Forest & Bird Top of the South Island Field Officer Debs Martin, 03 545 8222, 027 684 0599

The Wairau River is a precious natural resource that must be protected for the benefit of native plant and animal life and enjoyment by the community, Forest & Bird has told a hearing on a hydro-electric power scheme proposed for the river.

TrustPower is seeking numerous water permits, discharge consents and land use consents to build a hydro-electric power scheme on the Wairau River.  In its submission to a Marlborough District Council consent hearing today, Forest & Bird opposed TrustPower’s application.

Top of the South Island Field Officer Debs Martin told the hearing that the scheme would have significant adverse effects on the spectacular braided river system, adjoining wetlands, the native animal and plant species that live there, and recreational opportunities for public enjoyment of the river.

The Wairau River is one of the few remaining intact braided river systems in New Zealand, and supports one of the highest levels of endemic species in the world.  Worldwide and in New Zealand, braided rivers in their natural state are one of the most threatened natural features.

TrustPower’s proposal to divert water through a 49-kilometre canal system would dramatically reduce river flows for much of the year, causing smaller braids to dry up and changing the natural braided character of the river.

This would have a detrimental effect on habitat and food sources for a variety of native animal species, and increase their vulnerability to predators.  The 170-kilometre-long Wairau provides habitat for endangered black-fronted tern, black billed gull and wrybill, and is a breeding ground of the banded dotterel, Caspian tern, and 24 native fish species.

At the mouth of the river the Wairau Lagoons cover 2000 hectares of marsh and mudflats, which provide habitat for more than 90 animal species, including New Zealand’s largest colony of royal spoonbills.

Forest & Bird is seeking international recognition of the Wairau River through inclusion on the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.  Initial assessment shows the Wairau meets six out of eight criteria for Ramsar status.

The power generated would not be guaranteed to be supplied to Marlborough, nor bring lower power prices to the region, but would be fed into the national grid and sold to the highest bidder, Debs Martin says.