The Nevis River gorge, which could contain a new hydro dam.
A hydro-electric power scheme on the Nevis River would
make an insignificant contribution to the country's electricity
supply, so sacrificing the river for that reason was
unnecessary, former minister of energy David Parker said.
The list member of Parliament was giving evidence in Dunedin
yesterday in support of an application aimed at stopping any
damming of the river.
The New Zealand and Otago Fish and Game Councils are seeking
an amendment to the water conservation order on the Nevis, to
increase the level of protection and ban any future
hydro-electric developments.
A special tribunal has been appointed by the Minister for the
Environment to hear the matter and the month-long hearing
began in Cromwell last week.
Mr Parker said the contribution hydro-electricity from a
scheme on the Nevis might make to New Zealand's energy future
was "relatively insignificant" so the tribunal should not
decline the application on the basis of the river's hydro
potential.
A scheme on the Nevis would generate up to 45MW, which would
make only a modest contribution to the 3200MW increased
generation capacity required by 2025.
There was already substantial hydro generation in the
Otago-Southland region and it had about 19% of the country's
total operational electricity generation capacity.
"Further hydro development, particularly on the Nevis, would
further permanently compromise remaining natural river values
in the region," Mr Parker said.
It was reasonable to ask whether the region had already made
a sufficient contribution of its natural river values to the
national interest of secure electricity supply.
Mr Parker said it was unfair and unnecessary for any more
burden to be placed on the region's rivers, particularly the
Nevis, as its outstanding characteristics had already been
recognised by the existing water conservation order.
Achieving the Government's renewable electricity target did
not require "every last river to be dammed", he said.
The value of unmodified rivers had gone up because there were
fewer of them.
"They do not need to be sacrificed in the interests of
renewable energy production. The water in a river is
renewable, but a river ecosystem, once dammed, is not."
New projects in Otago and Southland which would generate
1103MW were already under construction, consented or in the
consent process, he said.
That figure represented almost 20% of the national total of
new energy projects. The increasing capacity in this region
was mainly wind generated and comprised TrustPower's
Mahinerangi project (200MW), which had consent, and Meridian
Energy's Project Hayes (600MW).
The consent for Project Hayes has been appealed and a
decision is pending.
• Day 6
Tribunal: Richard Fowler (chairman), Carolyn Burns and
Rauru Kirikiri.
Application: To amend the existing water conservation
order to prevent damming or diversion of the Nevis River.
Players: NZ and Otago Fish and Game Councils want the
changes, Pioneer Generation and TrustPower are among those in
opposition.
Yesterday: Evidence was heard from member of
Parliament David Parker, Alan McMillan on behalf of Public
Access NZ, NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers and the
Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ, Dave
Witherow, John Jillett,archaeologist Gillian Hamel and Hoani
Langsbury (Otago Conservation Board). Representing Te Runanga
o Moeraki, Kati Huirapa Runanga ki Puketeraki and Te Runanga
o Otakou were Edward Ellison, Tim Vial and Jim Williams.
Quote of the day: "Angling is only one of a
substantial number of activities which could be compromised
by industrial development in the area" - Alan McMillan, of
Dunedin, representing Public Access NZ, NZ Federation of
Freshwater Anglers, Council of Outdoor Recreation
Associations of NZ.
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