Hydropower dam gets consent

TrustPower has been granted 35 year resource consent by the Environment Court for operating the Matahina Hydropower Scheme using a modified operating regime.

Resource consent conditions require increased monitoring and five-yearly reviews, with changes to resource conditions if warranted.

TrustPower has been granted increased ramping rates (how fast downstream river levels are allowed to rise and fall), and multiple peaking (changes in downstream flow) using the Matahina Dam.

TrustPower will significantly increase its financial contribution to flood protection, says Bay of Plenty Regional Council environmental management general manager Eddie Grogan.

'Regional Council believes the resource consent conditions make sure that any impact on the environment, the Rangitaiki River Scheme, and flood protection will be well managed and mitigated.”

TrustPower has been granted increased ramping rates (how fast downstream river levels are allowed to rise and fall), and multiple peaking (changes in downstream flow).

The company has not been granted all the changes they requested in their original application, most notably the proposed low flow in the Rangitaiki.

TrustPower currently makes a financial contribution toward the river scheme. The court decision means that contribution will significantly increase. TrustPower will also pay a one-off financial contribution to recover costs for the 2010/2011 floods.

The resource consent also requires TrustPower to work with the Regional Council's Natural Hazards Group to pre-lower the Matahina dam further in advance of a significant flood. This will maximise floodwater storage in the dam, and reduce the flood peak downstream.

'The resource consent conditions will help to better mitigate floods, and the increased financial contribution will contribute towards managing the impact of erosion of the Rangitaiki River banks,” says natural hazards general manager Ken Tarboton.

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