Matakitaki Hydro Response

Network Tasman's plan to look at constructing a hydro scheme on the Matakitaki River near Murchison has concerned some river users but been welcomed by business.

The Richmond-based lines company hopes the hydro scheme, coupled with wind and solar initiatives, will help it make the region's power supply more secure and provide for future growth.

It is only in the earliest stages of looking at pre-feasibility studies, with no firm details on where and how the initiatives will operate.

New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association communications officer Robin Rutter-Baumann said it would oppose any attempt to disrupt the flow of the Matakitaki River.

It was an important part of the mix of rivers available in the Murchison area with two key sections used by canoeists, he said.

Forest and Bird's Nelson-Marlborough conservation officer, Debs Martin, said it recognised the need for the upper South Island to become more self-sufficient in power generation but it was "disappointing" Network Tasman had not consulted it first before announcing the plans.

"Obviously we're looking forward to hearing from them about the proposal and what the ecological effects are."

Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency chief executive Bill Findlater said Network Tasman's plans were "really exciting". There would always be people coming up with reasons why initiatives should not be carried out but they needed to be realistic if they did not want to have the power going off, he said.

Murray Sturgeon, managing director of Nelson Pine Industries, which is the biggest power consumer in the region, said the initiatives were needed sooner rather than later.

Nelson-Marlborough Fish and Game manager Neil Deans said the Matakitaki didn't rate as highly as some other rivers in the area but was still used by anglers.

The hydro scheme was likely to be "pretty high on the agenda" when the organisation's council next met, Mr Deans said.

Nelson Mail, August 18, 2008