The planning for this project began around 2005, and discussions with Department of Conservation staff for a concession (as the project would be built on the conservation estate) began around 2012.
In 2016, the Deputy Director-General (the Minister of Conservation’s delegate) notified an “intention to grant” the application for a concession, subject to public consultation and a hearing process.
After public consultation and hearings in late 2016, in which 3,264 submissions were received (2,864 or 87.7% of which were template submissions from Forest and Bird), Minister for the Environment David Parker was ultimately responsible for approving the application.
In August 2019 David Parker’s office announced that the application had been declined.
In rejecting the application Parker noted that he was satisfied the effects on “birds, bats, lizards, invertebrates, vegetation, native fish, and other aquatic communities, sediment, and river morphology will be minor”.
In essence, Parker’s decision to reject the proposal was due to what were determined to be impacts on the “natural character” of the river and impacts on recreational opportunities.
Parker noted the access for trampers and hunters would likely improve as a result of a better access road near the track and improved access into the Waitaha Valley via track upgrades as a result of concessions being granted.
The decision to decline the application with regard to recreational values focussed on kayaking.
For more information on the use of the river by kayakers, and Westpower’s attempts to mitigate the impact on them, please read FAQ #5 below.