West Coast-Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole has joined at least one local mayor in welcoming a decision granting resource consent for a hydro project on the Mokihinui River.
The consent relates to a proposal by Meridian Energy to dam the West Coast river 3km upstream from Seddonville, northeast of Westport, and create a 14km-long lake and power station at a cost of about $300 million.
Conservation groups have condemned the proposal, saying the dam will devastate the valley by drowning 330 hectares of native rainforest.
Forest and Bird South Island manager Chris Todd said the group was considering lodging an appeal with the Environment Court.
"We're pretty outraged by this decision. This will be the biggest inundation of conservation land ever in New Zealand," he said.
Green Party MP Kevin Hague said the dam would cause a permanent loss of environmental and biodiversity value.
But Mr Auchinvole said the project would bring economic benefits for the region and provide a clean and green energy supply for the West Coast region into the future.
He said it was important that if the project went ahead there was a focus by Meridian on mitigating the environmental impact, but the fact it had been given the green light meant all aspects of such a proposal had been considered.
Buller Mayor Pat McManus said he wanted people to focus on the positive environmental impacts of the dam project, rather than criticising it.
He said the short-term benefits were the employment opportunities for locals. Construction was expected to take three years and employ over 300 workers, dropping to six once the dam was up and running.
Mr McManus said there would also be environmental gains and that there was plenty of support for it.
