Rakaia Water Conservation Order report adopted

Environment Canterbury today adopted the report and recommendation of the Hearing Commissioners on the application by TrustPower Ltd to amend the National Water Conservation (Rakaia River) Order 1988.

The application proposed a series of amendments and additions to the original Water Conservation Order to enable the use of water which is currently diverted and stored in Lake Coleridge/Whakamatau for hydro-electricity generation, for both hydro-electricity and irrigation uses.

The final decision on the application will be made by the Minister for the Environment. Environment Canterbury has powers, functions and duties in relation to processing applications to make, amend or revoke water conservation orders, including making a report and recommendation to the Minister as to whether any such application should be granted.

The Environment Canterbury Council delegated its authority to hear the application and submissions on it to independent Hearing Commissioners. The hearing process was delayed due to the untimely death of one of the Hearing Commissioners, Mike Bowden. The new Hearing Panel’s report is available.

The Council’s report and recommendation are subject to appeal to the High Court on points of law. An appeal may be made by the applicant or any submitter within 15 working days of receipt of the report.