Smith defers local bill for dam but remains hopeful

Nelson MP Nick Smith has deferred the first reading of a local bill associated with the proposed Waimea dam but says he is not giving up on the beleaguered project.

‘‘I have today deferred Parliament’s consideration of the bill scheduled for next Wednesday to let the dust settle on the [Tasman District] Council’s 8-6 vote on Tuesday against the scheme,’’ Smith said. ‘‘This short deferral will not affect getting this law passed on time if the funding problem can be solved.’’

The Tasman District Council (Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill is being sponsored by Smith and was introduced to Parliament on August 14.

Smith said support for the bill had been confirmed by National (56), Labour (46), NZ First (9) and ACT (1), with only the Greens set to oppose it, giving it 112 votes to eight.

The bill was set down for its first reading on September 5.

‘‘We are tantalisingly close to a solution to one of the region’s most longstanding and difficult problems,’’ Smith said. ‘‘The project has full resource consents and approval of the Environment Court, a bill with the parliamentary support to solve the problem of access to the land, and financial commitments of over $60 million from Government, landowners and the neighbouring Nelson City Council.

‘‘It would be a tragedy to lose the 18 years of work and $8m of investigation and design costs because of being shy of just one or two councillors’ votes.’’

Smith said the political problem with major infrastructure projects was that there was no ‘‘pure answer’’ as to where the costs should fall, particularly when the greatest benefits were for the environment and wider community.

‘‘We all need to try a bit harder to find a solution. I am deferring the bill to provide a window of opportunity to find a compromise.’’

Smith encouraged Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd (CIIL) and Waimea Irrigators Ltd (WIL) to ‘‘reflect on the narrow council vote and try to bridge the gap’’.

‘‘We also need those councillors opposing the project to recognise how cancelling this project will damage confidence in the region, and be prepared to reconsider with a bit more external help.’’

Tasman district councillors look likely to be asked at an extraordinary full council meeting on Thursday to change their ‘‘no’’ vote and agree to proceed with the dam. Mayor Richard Kempthorne said WIL and CIIL had approached the council with the possibility of additional funding, which would reduce the cost to ratepayers.

‘‘It would be a tragedy to lose the 18 years of work and $8m of investigation and design costs.’’

Dr Nick Smith, Nelson MP