A Hawke’s Bay Regional Council resource consent hearing began on Monday for 151 water take applications in the Twyford area near Hastings.
The 151 applications are mainly for replacement consents for expired water permits, although applications for new or increased takes have also been received and will be considered.
The water takes are from both ground water and takes directly from the Raupere Stream and are for the purpose of irrigating horticultural crops.
The applications were publicly notified as they are situated in a water short area, where the Raupere Stream is over-allocated for water takes.
Submitters include Hort NZ, Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game, Department of Conservation, hapu and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.
The four commissioners presiding over the hearing are Regional Councillors Christine Scott (Chair) and Ewan McGregor, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Māori Committee Chairman Mike Mohi and independent commissioner Janeen Kydd-Smith.
The hearing at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s office in Napier is expected to take 4 days, finishing on Thursday. |