Mokihinui Dam Gets Go-ahead

The Press - http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3551017/Mokihinui-dam-gets-go-ahead/

Commissioners have decided two to one to grant resource consent for a controversial hydro dam on the West Coast.

Coasters have been awaiting the decision on Meridian Energy's proposal for a hydro project on the Mokihinui River, north of Westport, since a hearing into the proposal adjourned last year.

However, this afternoon the West Coast Regional Council said the commissioners had given it the go ahead after a series of delays to the decision.

Consents and compliance manager Colin Dall said it had been a "particularly difficult and finely balanced decision''.

The consents were subject to 200 conditions to mitigate and monitor the dam's effects.

These included habitat enhancement and predator control over 3000ha.

An initial bond of $500,000 was also required from Meridian, which says the scheme would produce enough power for 51,000 homes.

The plan - which would see the building of an 85m high dam creating a 14km long lake - has been opposed by environmental lobbyists and the Department of Conservation.

They say the scheme would come at too high a cost to the environment and that there are better schemes which could produce enough power for the Coast without as much damage.

Green Party MP Kevin Hague said his initial reaction was "anger and disappointment".

He would wait for the full decision - due to go on WCRC's website this evening - before commenting on whether an appeal would be mounted.