The Eastland Group-owned Waihi dam, which sustained damage during a severe weather event in September last year, has now been repaired and will shortly resume full function as a hydro-electricity station generating enough power for 1600 homes.
The damage to the dam, which is 26km north-west of Wairoa, resulted in silt being released into the Waiau River system. Understandably, there are some people in the area who are concerned about the impact this event has had on the river.
However, there has been some media coverage in recent weeks and months in regional and national outlets which does not accurately reflect the work that has been undertaken to repair the sluice gates and get the dam operational. A team of engineers, divers and other expert personnel, has been on site since the HBRC issued a consent allowing repair work, and that team has worked in arduous and dangerous conditions to ensure repairs took place as urgently as possible. Temporary gabion baskets were also installed downstream from the dam to catch sediment prior to entering the Waiau River, with silt collected in the area transported to council approved clean-fill sites on nearby farmland.
Eastland Group has consistently maintained open lines of communication with all key stakeholders including local and regional Councils and members of the farming and local community, with a view to supporting affected parties where possible with up-to-date information.
Despite the ongoing efforts we have made to keep all relevant parties informed, many of the comments that have been made to media are incorrect. Since last year, we have been in communication with the Mayor of Wairoa, other members of Council and residents who have affected by the incident.
Matt Todd, CEO of Eastland Group was offered the opportunity to be interviewed by Radio New Zealand or to make a statement. The latter was supplied and the reporter read the statement back to Mr Todd to confirm her understanding. At no time did Mr Todd decline to engage with Radio NZ.
The Eastland Group team would like to reiterate that we sincerely regret the sediment releases that have occurred over summer. Now that repairs are complete, all three of the dam's sluice gates are closed and the reservoir is now full. Eastland Group will shortly be recommencing generation of electricity.
To date, Eastland Group has not received any substantive claims for damages - if we receive such claims they will be dealt with responsibly.
It is difficult to be more exact at this point as there have been a number of wide ranging statements in the media, but as yet no information has been supplied to Eastland Group to support the claims being made.
It is our understanding that over the summer period the water treatment system in Wairoa has still been fully operable although there may have been additional treatment required.
It is hard to determine whether there has been any ecological damage to the Waiau river system although mullet were observed in the Waiau River in the vicinity of the Waihi powerhouse earlier this week. It is important to note that these are normally high sediment river systems and, with the winter rains coming, any residual sediment is likely be moved through quite quickly.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council is undertaking an investigation into this event and they have our full cooperation. They are the appropriate regulatory body to undertake this work. Eastland Group has also initiated a project with HBRC to consider whether there need to be changes to resource consent conditions and operating procedures to help ensure this sort of situation is avoided in the future.
Click here to read the full press release.
