Hydro scheme gets go-ahead

By Eileen Goodwin, Westport News

A Buller hydro development touted as green friendly has the go-ahead. Hydro Developments (HDL) Ltd’s proposal to harness tributaries of the Ngakawau River will be allowed to proceed, resource consent commissioners have decided.

Their formal decision will be released next month, but the West Coast Regional Council today released a minute from them.

HDL wants to use polluted water from the river and channel it through tunnels, reservoirs and power stations, to generate power before discarding it in an ocean outfall offshore.

Reason for the approval would be included in the formal decision next month.

HDL consents manager, Rebecca Inwood, told The News it was “blown away” by today’s announcement.

However, a long-awaited decision on the contentious Mokihinui hydro proposal has been delayed yet again.

Commissioners deciding whether to grant consent for Meridian Energy’s proposal had hoped to reach a decision by Christmas, but have sought an extension to the New Year.

Meridian wants to build an 85m-high dam on the Mokihinui River, 3km upstream from Seddonville.

A minute released by commissioners today said they had finalised much of the decision, but some “remaining matters” had not been resolved. The decision would not be made until the New Year, possibly not until February.

No indication was given about the decision outcome.

The hearing adjourned in Westport in October, 2008, but reconvened for a few days in April for further consideration.