MayorKempthorne is scaremongering in the extreme and needs to produce peer reviewed science to back his ridiculous claims. In fact going ahead with the dam may well exacerbate potable supplies as the scheme makes precious little physical augmentation while right to pump like there is no tomorrow for irrigators from the same water source as the Richmond supply because there is artificial flow in the river is plainly dumb and illogical. This scheme is unaffordable, unsustainable, and lacking in scientific evidence . The onlyscheme that should be under consideration is one where 100% of the stored wateris available to be piped to where it is needed. Such a scheme or schemes will cost a fraction of the mayors white elephant, and these coupled with small weirs or small dams in the river and tributaries will maximise the ground stored water.
John Palmer, Strategic Advisor to Waimea Irrigators is on record several times praising the Kainui Storage Pond in Wai-iti which has supplied his properties since it was first filled in 2008. The Kainui cost TDC $3.7 million and according to their web site has irrigated 1000 ha every year since. TDC has wasted $20 million plus to date on this white elephant which could have built four or five Kainui size ponds. If Mr King thinks storage ponds are Ludicrous maybe he should consult Mr Palmer.
Therein lies the problem, Councillors are being kept in the dark with no information available and being asked to sign confidentiality statements before they can view term sheets of estimated costings whereas TDC staff are privy to actual price from the ECI contractor. Read above Kirby the engineer who costed replicating the $3.7 million Kainui pond at $54 million has the ECI price but councillors are not allowed to view or have copies until the mayor has worked his magic on the figures. Councillors must stand up to this bullying culture and demand democracy.
I was horrified to see my new TDC rates demand has a new rating line for the Waimea Dam when TDC publicly claim no decision has been made to proceed.One has to question if this rate is legal â“ something that will be investigated.Recent TDC statements about ongoing costs are disingenuous and just talking about the contractor budget as opposed to the project budget. There is no chance this project will cost less than $150million if ethical disclosure of all related build and commissioning costs are honestly accounted for.Ratepayers need to join the WIN organised protest at the 9th August council meeting at 9am to demand respect,honesty, ethical treatment and a stop to the proposed ratepayer subsidy to irrigators.TDC and ratepayers owe no duty to irrigators â“ their water augmentation issues are for them to solve. If General ratepayers funds are involved full investment cost recovery over the project ife cycle must be factored in to avoid material wealth transfer using general and targeted rates.This scheme with zero verified chance of providing any augmentation for potable supplies is a gross rort on District wide, Zone of benefit, and Richmond water ratepayers.Enough is enough.
Three years ago NCC said it could supply all NCC properties in south stoke including Industrial by installing an already priced at $4 million new pipeline. Suddenly its a $20 to $25 million pipeline. It is time water was sorted on a regional approach, prices emanating from both councils highly paid help are all over the place. If you read the 2017 Stantec report there is no shortage of water these self important council officers are trying to predict demand in 100 years. 10 years ago orchardists were on the ropes and there were several more dairy farms than today. Irrigation demand has almost halved in the last decade who knows the position in another 10 years
One can only surmise that the ongoing suppression of information from proper public scrutiny, continuing use of illegal workshops and now proposed legal restraint on councillors is to muzzle councillors and stifle the proper debate that should be had for the proposed ratepayer rort and pet project of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Allowing the real facts to see the light of day and be open to public scrutiny would torpedo this white elephant.
On the Irrigation NZ website they state that on farm water storage ponds in NZ cost about $2 per cu m of storage. Rooneys state they build on farm storage for less than $2 per cu m. TDC claim that Irrigators require 300 Cu M per week per Ha when their own website shows that Irrigators in the Waimea East scheme have averaged about 80 Cu M per week per Ha over the last 5 years. Records show that while the WEIS irrigated almost 1500 Ha initially it dropped below 1000 Ha last year and less than half that number have affiliated to the WIL scheme.
Stuff Headline June 14 2018. Ombudsman launches inquiry into Auckland Mayor failing to release documents over stadium report. Mayor Gough tried to claim the report could only be viewed in his office under supervision and no copies of any documents would be allowed. Two councillors wrote to the Ombudsman and he immediately announced an enquiry. I suspect that Mayor Kempthorne has received the price flagged as due in April 2018 from the ECI Contractor and it is so far above the P95 price flagged by TDC in the 2014 and 2017 Consultations that he needs time to work out how to present the real price to Councillors and Ratepayers. Full disclosure and transparency are required for Councillors and Ratepayers. I suggest concerned Councillors ask for a ruling from the Ombudsman before they sign the non disclosure agreements THIS IS BULLYING BEHAVIOUR.
My hairdresser told me today that a group of ratepayers have collected over $500,000 of pledges to issue a legal challenge if a go is issued to build the dam. Several live within the area of benefit and do not draw any water from TDC many are from Golden Bay and Murchison. Civil war coming for 15 large irrigators who have hoodwinked weak kneed councillors.
And Deputy Mayor King states that he does not want to view the term sheets (costings) I guess his mindset is to build at any cost, the Ratepayers can pay.
Jones is telling the Irrigators he may throw in $4 or $5 million but they must do the Heavy Lifting. $22 million or so plus of course the overruns. Watch the affiliated flee like they have done with the WEIS whose irrigators cannot afford the WIL scheme subsidised by ratepayers. I understand of the 1000ha odd irrigated by members last year there are less than 400 Ha left from WEIS affiliated to the WIL scheme
Project was too big too ambitious from the start. Other dams this size irrigate 10 to 12,000 Ha. Rooneys have built dozens of storage ponds in the last decade and their website states cost is in range of $2 to $3 per cu m of storage. Dam office and WIL will be gone tomorrow. Time to identify affordable storage. WEIS scheme was gifted by Govt to Irrigators and is unused 90% of the time and the scheme previously provided water to Fields in McShanes road opposite the new Treatment plant. WEIS irrigators take has been dropping year by year.
Now that project cost is up by 50% on what ratepayers consulted on and Irrigators affiliated on can Mr King confirm that the WIL offer will be withdrawn, the deposits returned and once a proper full tender price is established with a real margin for unexpected extras a new SOP will be issued. WIL have stated that they will be responsible for 49% of build costs. Not project cost.
not only that but Kempthorne fixed the Irrigators real share of costs of $1150 odd pa if the Dam costs $102 m at $600 pa and expects the Ratepayers from Collingwood to Murchison to the Lake to pay the rest. Palmer claims this is not a subsidy.
Maitai has been a disaster from start to finish, Maitai has never produced potable water as was intended for two reasons. The plantation forestry was not removed from one branch there are photos taken when the reservoir was part filled showing hectare after hectare of tree tops all in rows protruding through, the second reason relates to the mineral belt which extends into the Lee Valley. The builders of the Lee Valley dam are facing exactly the same issues. NCC will have spent 6 times the original cost of the Maitai on treatment before they have a complete supply as intended originally
At the first meeting for the 2014 Consultation,20 Oct 14 Mayor Kempthorne was asked whether some forestry or Shares in Port Nelson or the Airport could be sold to cover the TDC liability to build the Dam. He answered NO the income from investments was used every year to keep rate rises to a minimum and could never be applied to a capital project. I guess this means ratepayers can look forward to larger rate rises in future. Mr Kempthorne seems to change his mind a lot !!!
Mainly essential Some upgrades have gone from ten year plans which were called essential upgrades and improvements ten years ago. Every heavy rainfall you can see where improved stormwater and infrastructure is needed.
Will they appear as Directors of the Holding Company Waimea Water as well. This is getting very smelly. Small parcel shareholders should be very afraid.
TDC keep repeating there are no affordable alternatives to Kempthornes white elephant, albeit they built the Kainui scheme for $3.7 million and since it was first filled in 2008 it has irrigated 1000 Ha in the Wai-iti valley every year since. Kirby claims it will cost $60 million to build a slightly smaller pond beside the Waimea. I believe TDC has wasted over $25 million to date on this unaffordable uneconomic project and still do not have a competitively tendered price. With this they could have built five Kainui sized ponds and installed three strategically placed weirs to force the flow into the accessible ground water systems. Nelson Pines Industries and Cold Storage Nelson suggestions last week that they are purchasing shares in WIL further muddies the claim that 3000 Ha will be irrigated.TDC has claimed all along it has 7765 ha toIrrigate.
NCC built the Maitai Dam for $9.7 million build cost but when it was paid off in 2005 NCC acknowledged the total cost was $36 million. I realise that interest rates were higher in the 60s 70s and 80s but if the build cost for the Lee ends up at $150 million the total cost will be over half a billion dollars and at the moment Irrigators have their exposure capped at about $130 million -- Hardly fair on ratepayers who gain no benefit from the project.
The irrigator groups self funding proposal should be taken seriously and demonstrates the deliberate deceit by TDC leadership and staff that there are no viable and affordable alternatives. I remind Mayor Kempthorne and his cronies that there is an old saying coined by Abraham Lincoln You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time. The recently revealed cost overruns of $26 million is just the tip of the iceberg - once project interest funding, roads and bridges, electricity supply, environmental make good are planned in there will still be caveats by contractors for unexpected geotechnical challenges which have a very high likelihood of merging that will take the mayors pet dam project well north of $150 million.The claimedreserves that are going to be raided to pay back some of the costs arebook equity not backed by cash investments so the actual money will need to be borrowed but I guess the cost of that will be buried elsewhere in the Annual Lie sheets TDC produce.
Although TDC and WIL promote the Dam as a 100 year solution the nearby Roding Dam was commissioned in 1940 and was silted to the top of the dam by 1970.In 1973 the Dam wall was heightened and the water intake for town supply via Marsden Valley was moved to downstream from the Dam face so when the dam was fully silted again in the 1990s water could still be piped. With the Lee dam in much steeper terrain it will probably silt much quicker than the Roding and as there are no pipelines will be impotent as a water supply.
My advice to the Dam Proponents at TDC is to pay heed to the an old saying When you are in a hole over your head - best you stop digging. At no stage did you ever establish realistic decision frameworks, nor did you read properly theTonkin and Taylor pricing and carve outs. Any more money spent on this scientifically unsupported behemoth is, to use a timeless saying,putting more good general ratepayer money after bad There are other more sustainable solutions if you are prepared to open your mind to them and set about the task objectively as opposed to slavishly manufacturing propaganda to try to build up the case for the current myopic solution.The current discussion about adding Hydro to this plan is not mandated via the Long Term Plan and the recently quoted costs do not reconcile to the expert advice - from the same source and process that gave you the 95% certain price on the dam, published on your own web site. Lets get real about the priority infrastructure needs that will serve the majority of ratepayers quitably across the district and over time. There is no shame in admitting you got it wrong but it would be gross negligence and fiscal folly to spend any more ratepayer money on the proposed unsustainable and unaffordable Lee Dam project.
The new CEO has issued a statement that even though the project price is not complete TDC will not be revisiting the Irrigators share of investment and running costs set in the 2014 Consultation. I suggest interested ratepayers google TDCme.nz and read the latest blog and look at the draft accounts page 1 near the bottom which show that Irrigators share of water is 93% and Nelson and Richmond use only 7% These figures are taken directly from the MWH Stantec report 2017. Although the Irrigators and their leadership keep inststing they are not getting a subsidy from the ratepayer it is set out in black and white. The ratepayer commitment meanwhile has jumped by around 50%.
In answer to no 1, TDC last statement on this issue stated that the 9500 odd Ratepayers in the area of Benefit (Benevolence) will pay all cost overruns above the $3 million. So if Estimator price of $140 million is correct and the project suffers a Blowout of 20% Ratepayers in the area of benefit will pay off the extra $68 million. What a joke. The term sheets preclude TDC from target rating the Irrigators without a massive penalty which TDC have apparently signed up to. Go Figure!!!
In Newsline from Dec 2017 ratepayers were told that the ECI process would provide a confirmed full tender price for the total project by May 2018. I have heard tonight that Councillors have been called to a meeting tomorrow to update them on the price received from the ECI Contractors. All Councillors are entitled to copies of the full schedule as provided by the contractors without any omissions and any spin from TDC hierarchy. If the tender document is not on Fulton Hogan / Taylor Contractors letterhead showing a total contract price, along with hourly, daily, cubic metre and tonne rates for extras it should be rejected by all councillors as inadequate for them to perform their duties as councillors. This project has the potential to bankrupt Tasman. Remember the Roxburgh Dam cost over 800% of the tender price at the start of the build.
You havent been paying attention. There is no shortage of water. The dam would be refilled between 8 and 10 times pa. the problem is under the proposed scheme over 90% of the water will simply flow out to sea. TDC engineers state that weirs do not work totally ignoring the four weirs in the Wai-iti and the Waimea East Irrigation Weir which lift water tables and force water into nearby aquifers and bores. Why bother spending $100 million to build a dam when Waimea Irrigators listed the biggest risk to the project modelling may not be correct and in low flow water released from the dam may not reach the bores and aquifers which supply the Richmond supply and the areas irrigators draw from. It is simply a case of harnessing the plentiful supply of water.
Tonkin & Taylor started pricing in 2002 first price was $20 Million, 2014 Consultation was at $67.6 million, Last year Oct consultation at P95 at $75.9 million. now over $101 million but still several costs not known or priced. With unexpected costs and overruns will exceed $150 million
The Maitai was filled without the reservoir being completely cleared of trees and topsoil and has never provided potable water. The Maitai cost $9.7 million to build but when fully paid off in 2003 NCC announced that the project cost was $36 million including paying off all loans. They have spent further millions building treatment plants to treat the water and are looking at it again. CIIL will not allow TDC to take shortcuts like NCC did and unfortunately the pricing gurus have not bothered pricing the Lee yet. The Maitai has a minimum flow of 175 L/S Nov to March and 300 L/S for the rest of the year. TDC have ramped up the minimum flows and imposed ridiculous settings on flows in the Waimea via the TRMP to try to pretend it is the Ratepayers responsibility to put water in the river when nature cannot.
Two vote Mayor Kempthorne says ratepayers can have their say on this bill later in the year. I remind the Mayor that ratepayers have said in the 2014 Consultation they do not want the Dam with 90% of submitters against the Dam. This was repeated again in the 2017 Consultation when over 85% of submitters were against spending their money on the Dam-But the mayor a former Orchadist, with his two votes has managed to deflect a call for a ratepayer referendum on a Go /No Go vote which he promised on three occasions once the Tender Price is available Now he is saying he knows best. The secrecy, lack of open disclosure and closed workshops attended by WIL is not proper process and to give Councillors briefings 15 minutes prior to news releases is appalling, leaving them embarrassed and out of the loop, This dictatorial leadership is not democratic and must be challenged by all councillors and the new CEO.
No one is claiming there is a shortage of water. The dam will be fully recharged eight or ten times per year. The problem is TDC have their heads in the sand over harnessing the water like the WEIS scheme does so it all flows out to sea. Two or tree weirs strategically placed to recharge aquifers and bores would make a stunning difference to the water tables and water to pump BUT TDC decided years ago that weirs do not work in the Waimea. I note they praise the difference four weirs make in the Wai-Iti. Go Figure!!!
Read the 2017 MWH Stantec report or go to TDCME.nz for a summary. Irrigators get 93% of the benefit for less than 33% of the cost. Why have Waimea East Irrigators not affiliated to the WIL scheme, Simply because of the cost. This project is a massive rort on the general ratepayer in tasman. One Kainui sized pond will provide enough stored water to cover the 10% which may be needed for NCC and TDC urban supply and Kainui cost $3.7 million although clever Kirby priced a slightly smaller river side pond at $54 million. This project is all about 15 large irrigators many friends of the mayor a former failed orchardist, who can see the opportunity for cheap guaranteed water
Absolutely no chance of remedial work and needed upgrades in Mapua and Motueka areas in next 30 years if the Mayors pet Dam project goes ahead. Much of the needed upgrades were in the 10 year plan ten years ago but have disappeared as pet jobs like the originally flagged $6 million Queen St Water Treatment plant blew out to about $12 million then the Queen St upgrade flagged in Newsline as a $6.5 million project to be completed within the calendar year Feb to Nov 2017, still not complete but now over $15 million. TDC are not competent to run a bath let alone a multi million dollar contract.
TDC and Adviser palmer from WIL are claiming the Lee Dam is a 100 year solution, BUT the nearby Roding scheme in much less aggressive terrain was commissioned in 1940 and was silted to the top of the reservoir by 1970. The dam wall was heightened in 1972 but was silted to top again by 1990. The Lee will probably be impotent before the loans are paid off. The advantage of the Roding is when the wall was heightened the intake for the pipeline was moved to below the wall so it still provides water. With the Lee there is no pipeline
Neither councillors nor general ratepayers have been given full, honest and well researched information on this proposed pet project of irrigators and the mayor and deputy mayor. The process to date has been woefully inadequate for a scheme that will irrevocably commit the community at large to life cycle costs (to debt repayment) in the range $260 million to $460million depending on the eventual build cost and interest rates and repayment terms. Yet irrigators have been promised they will only have to contribute $136million regardless of capital and running costs. This rort on general ratepayers is unfair and unreasonable.
If you read the proposal there is no shortage of water. The proposed dam will hold 13 million Cu m but will be replenished between 8 and 12 times per year. All this water will flow down to Nelson Haven and out to sea. It is NOT ratepayers who should pay for Irrigators water. TDC has its head in the sand over the advantages of strategically placed weirs to refill the aquifers and bores.
Do not believe the propaganda and spin from TDC. THERE IS NO shortage of water. The proposed but not needed 13.4 million cubic metre dam will refill itself 8 to 10 times every year. This is the same water that flows into nelson haven every day. TDC have their collective heads in the sand over the benefits of correctly placed weirs to raise the water table near the required bores and aquifers to force ground water to resupply on a continuing basis even in low flow. TDC have dismissed weirs as unsuitable as the Mayor wants to build Lake Kempthorne by hook or by crook. Three years ago he claimed 80 weirs would be required to replace his precious dam. NO law in NZ requires general ratepayers to resupply flow in a river when the controlling authority allows irrigators to suck it dry. The Resource Management Act states quite clearly it is the responsibility of those using resources to mitigate any consequences. Three weirs and three Kainui sized ponds will supply all water requirements for decades to come. Why should Golden Bay, Motueka, Tapawera, Murchison and local ratepayers who look after their own water needs subsidise irrigators who compete with many of them in supplying produce on a daily basis. Tell you ward councillor how you feel, they may decide the future of the dam next Tuesday.
I agree entirely, staff are making too many decisions and keeping most Councillors in the dark. Read TDCME to get an Idea of the hurdles faced by councillors.
TDC claimed back in 2013 there was 7760 Ha available to irrigate, they later admitted that 300ha was an area of sand on Rabbit Island which they withdrew from the total area able to be irrigated. Then they set a target of 3000ha of affiliation before the project can proceed BUT stated that they expect a further 2660 ha to affiliate in the years going forward to make the scheme a success. With the cost of affiliation due to rise with the Skyrocketing Real Cost over the four year old P95 Guess by senior TDC staff which was consulted on twice I think TDC should call a halt to spending until real costs and risks are professionally quantified. I also think TDC should think carefully about why the Waimea East Scheme has Irrigated over 1000 Ha per year in the past but members have only signed up for about one third of that. The ones I have spoken to said they could not afford to affiliate and survive economically and would rather pull out their trees, vines, crops etc and revert to grazing with the available water.
The 2014 Consultation stated there would be a Binding ratepayer Referendum to decide the Go / No Go decision. When TDC was heavily defeated and realised most ratepayers did not want the dam they took the Referendum option out of the 2017 Consultation, stating it was not a popular choice but TDC knows what is best for the area.When recently voted on the two vote mayor on a 7/7 decision undemocratically used his casting vote to avoid a ratepayer vote.
One year ago Clever Kirby stated with extra new staff the full project team would have no problem spending the $53.98 Million capital works budget by 30 June 18, with indications of a $2.4 million underspend, now TDC announce a $24.2 million underspend even worse than previous years. What is going on at TDC, full staff with very poor management of projects and resources ?? No wonder ratepayers are distressed at the thought of TDC running the Dam project. Still if you keep back almost half your spending you can pretend your books look good while further delaying stressed infrastructure.
'Third World' water provisions may be introduced if Waimea dam plan canned
MayorKempthorne is scaremongering in the extreme and needs to produce peer reviewed science to back his ridiculous claims. In fact going ahead with the dam may well exacerbate potable supplies as the scheme makes precious little physical augmentation while right to pump like there is no tomorrow for irrigators from the same water source as the Richmond supply because there is artificial flow in the river is plainly dumb and illogical. This scheme is unaffordable, unsustainable, and lacking in scientific evidence . The onlyscheme that should be under consideration is one where 100% of the stored wateris available to be piped to where it is needed. Such a scheme or schemes will cost a fraction of the mayors white elephant, and these coupled with small weirs or small dams in the river and tributaries will maximise the ground stored water.
Reservoir proposal 'ludicrous' alternative to Waimea dam
John Palmer, Strategic Advisor to Waimea Irrigators is on record several times praising the Kainui Storage Pond in Wai-iti which has supplied his properties since it was first filled in 2008. The Kainui cost TDC $3.7 million and according to their web site has irrigated 1000 ha every year since. TDC has wasted $20 million plus to date on this white elephant which could have built four or five Kainui size ponds. If Mr King thinks storage ponds are Ludicrous maybe he should consult Mr Palmer.
Project in peril: Early price for Waimea dam build 'significantly over' estimated cost
Therein lies the problem, Councillors are being kept in the dark with no information available and being asked to sign confidentiality statements before they can view term sheets of estimated costings whereas TDC staff are privy to actual price from the ECI contractor. Read above Kirby the engineer who costed replicating the $3.7 million Kainui pond at $54 million has the ECI price but councillors are not allowed to view or have copies until the mayor has worked his magic on the figures. Councillors must stand up to this bullying culture and demand democracy.
Waimea dam project costing Tasman District ratepayers $20,000 every month
I was horrified to see my new TDC rates demand has a new rating line for the Waimea Dam when TDC publicly claim no decision has been made to proceed.One has to question if this rate is legal â“ something that will be investigated.Recent TDC statements about ongoing costs are disingenuous and just talking about the contractor budget as opposed to the project budget. There is no chance this project will cost less than $150million if ethical disclosure of all related build and commissioning costs are honestly accounted for.Ratepayers need to join the WIN organised protest at the 9th August council meeting at 9am to demand respect,honesty, ethical treatment and a stop to the proposed ratepayer subsidy to irrigators.TDC and ratepayers owe no duty to irrigators â“ their water augmentation issues are for them to solve. If General ratepayers funds are involved full investment cost recovery over the project ife cycle must be factored in to avoid material wealth transfer using general and targeted rates.This scheme with zero verified chance of providing any augmentation for potable supplies is a gross rort on District wide, Zone of benefit, and Richmond water ratepayers.Enough is enough.
Nelson, Tasman councils to enter negotiations over Waimea dam funding
Three years ago NCC said it could supply all NCC properties in south stoke including Industrial by installing an already priced at $4 million new pipeline. Suddenly its a $20 to $25 million pipeline. It is time water was sorted on a regional approach, prices emanating from both councils highly paid help are all over the place. If you read the 2017 Stantec report there is no shortage of water these self important council officers are trying to predict demand in 100 years. 10 years ago orchardists were on the ropes and there were several more dairy farms than today. Irrigation demand has almost halved in the last decade who knows the position in another 10 years
Security plan for sensitive Waimea dam project documents "reeks"
One can only surmise that the ongoing suppression of information from proper public scrutiny, continuing use of illegal workshops and now proposed legal restraint on councillors is to muzzle councillors and stifle the proper debate that should be had for the proposed ratepayer rort and pet project of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Allowing the real facts to see the light of day and be open to public scrutiny would torpedo this white elephant.
Reservoir proposal 'ludicrous' alternative to Waimea dam
On the Irrigation NZ website they state that on farm water storage ponds in NZ cost about $2 per cu m of storage. Rooneys state they build on farm storage for less than $2 per cu m. TDC claim that Irrigators require 300 Cu M per week per Ha when their own website shows that Irrigators in the Waimea East scheme have averaged about 80 Cu M per week per Ha over the last 5 years. Records show that while the WEIS irrigated almost 1500 Ha initially it dropped below 1000 Ha last year and less than half that number have affiliated to the WIL scheme.
Security plan for sensitive Waimea dam project documents "reeks"
Stuff Headline June 14 2018. Ombudsman launches inquiry into Auckland Mayor failing to release documents over stadium report. Mayor Gough tried to claim the report could only be viewed in his office under supervision and no copies of any documents would be allowed. Two councillors wrote to the Ombudsman and he immediately announced an enquiry. I suspect that Mayor Kempthorne has received the price flagged as due in April 2018 from the ECI Contractor and it is so far above the P95 price flagged by TDC in the 2014 and 2017 Consultations that he needs time to work out how to present the real price to Councillors and Ratepayers. Full disclosure and transparency are required for Councillors and Ratepayers. I suggest concerned Councillors ask for a ruling from the Ombudsman before they sign the non disclosure agreements THIS IS BULLYING BEHAVIOUR.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
My hairdresser told me today that a group of ratepayers have collected over $500,000 of pledges to issue a legal challenge if a go is issued to build the dam. Several live within the area of benefit and do not draw any water from TDC many are from Golden Bay and Murchison. Civil war coming for 15 large irrigators who have hoodwinked weak kneed councillors.
Security plan for sensitive Waimea dam project documents "reeks"
And Deputy Mayor King states that he does not want to view the term sheets (costings) I guess his mindset is to build at any cost, the Ratepayers can pay.
Economic development minister Shane Jones lets loose on Waimea dam funding
Jones is telling the Irrigators he may throw in $4 or $5 million but they must do the Heavy Lifting. $22 million or so plus of course the overruns. Watch the affiliated flee like they have done with the WEIS whose irrigators cannot afford the WIL scheme subsidised by ratepayers. I understand of the 1000ha odd irrigated by members last year there are less than 400 Ha left from WEIS affiliated to the WIL scheme
Waimea dam project like slow train wreck, says Cr Dean McNamara
This saga is not over, go to radio NZ and listen to Kempthorne asking Govt to fill the financial hole. No means NO Richard.
Tasman councillors vote against proceeding with Waimea dam
Project was too big too ambitious from the start. Other dams this size irrigate 10 to 12,000 Ha. Rooneys have built dozens of storage ponds in the last decade and their website states cost is in range of $2 to $3 per cu m of storage. Dam office and WIL will be gone tomorrow. Time to identify affordable storage. WEIS scheme was gifted by Govt to Irrigators and is unused 90% of the time and the scheme previously provided water to Fields in McShanes road opposite the new Treatment plant. WEIS irrigators take has been dropping year by year.
Reservoir proposal 'ludicrous' alternative to Waimea dam
Now that project cost is up by 50% on what ratepayers consulted on and Irrigators affiliated on can Mr King confirm that the WIL offer will be withdrawn, the deposits returned and once a proper full tender price is established with a real margin for unexpected extras a new SOP will be issued. WIL have stated that they will be responsible for 49% of build costs. Not project cost.
Tasman District Council decides to proceed with controversial Waimea dam project
not only that but Kempthorne fixed the Irrigators real share of costs of $1150 odd pa if the Dam costs $102 m at $600 pa and expects the Ratepayers from Collingwood to Murchison to the Lake to pay the rest. Palmer claims this is not a subsidy.
Tuesday looms as likely decision day for controversial Waimea dam project
Maitai has been a disaster from start to finish, Maitai has never produced potable water as was intended for two reasons. The plantation forestry was not removed from one branch there are photos taken when the reservoir was part filled showing hectare after hectare of tree tops all in rows protruding through, the second reason relates to the mineral belt which extends into the Lee Valley. The builders of the Lee Valley dam are facing exactly the same issues. NCC will have spent 6 times the original cost of the Maitai on treatment before they have a complete supply as intended originally
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
At the first meeting for the 2014 Consultation,20 Oct 14 Mayor Kempthorne was asked whether some forestry or Shares in Port Nelson or the Airport could be sold to cover the TDC liability to build the Dam. He answered NO the income from investments was used every year to keep rate rises to a minimum and could never be applied to a capital project. I guess this means ratepayers can look forward to larger rate rises in future. Mr Kempthorne seems to change his mind a lot !!!
Shane Jones urges Tasman councillors to stand up for Waimea dam
Mainly essential Some upgrades have gone from ten year plans which were called essential upgrades and improvements ten years ago. Every heavy rainfall you can see where improved stormwater and infrastructure is needed.
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
Will they appear as Directors of the Holding Company Waimea Water as well. This is getting very smelly. Small parcel shareholders should be very afraid.
Tuesday looms as likely decision day for controversial Waimea dam project
TDC keep repeating there are no affordable alternatives to Kempthornes white elephant, albeit they built the Kainui scheme for $3.7 million and since it was first filled in 2008 it has irrigated 1000 Ha in the Wai-iti valley every year since. Kirby claims it will cost $60 million to build a slightly smaller pond beside the Waimea. I believe TDC has wasted over $25 million to date on this unaffordable uneconomic project and still do not have a competitively tendered price. With this they could have built five Kainui sized ponds and installed three strategically placed weirs to force the flow into the accessible ground water systems. Nelson Pines Industries and Cold Storage Nelson suggestions last week that they are purchasing shares in WIL further muddies the claim that 3000 Ha will be irrigated.TDC has claimed all along it has 7765 ha toIrrigate.
Reservoir proposal 'ludicrous' alternative to Waimea dam
NCC built the Maitai Dam for $9.7 million build cost but when it was paid off in 2005 NCC acknowledged the total cost was $36 million. I realise that interest rates were higher in the 60s 70s and 80s but if the build cost for the Lee ends up at $150 million the total cost will be over half a billion dollars and at the moment Irrigators have their exposure capped at about $130 million -- Hardly fair on ratepayers who gain no benefit from the project.
Reservoir alternative to Waimea dam feasible, says TDC engineering boss
The irrigator groups self funding proposal should be taken seriously and demonstrates the deliberate deceit by TDC leadership and staff that there are no viable and affordable alternatives. I remind Mayor Kempthorne and his cronies that there is an old saying coined by Abraham Lincoln You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time. The recently revealed cost overruns of $26 million is just the tip of the iceberg - once project interest funding, roads and bridges, electricity supply, environmental make good are planned in there will still be caveats by contractors for unexpected geotechnical challenges which have a very high likelihood of merging that will take the mayors pet dam project well north of $150 million.The claimedreserves that are going to be raided to pay back some of the costs arebook equity not backed by cash investments so the actual money will need to be borrowed but I guess the cost of that will be buried elsewhere in the Annual Lie sheets TDC produce.
Tasman District Council pursues local bill for dam land, MP seeks full house support
Although TDC and WIL promote the Dam as a 100 year solution the nearby Roding Dam was commissioned in 1940 and was silted to the top of the dam by 1970.In 1973 the Dam wall was heightened and the water intake for town supply via Marsden Valley was moved to downstream from the Dam face so when the dam was fully silted again in the 1990s water could still be piped. With the Lee dam in much steeper terrain it will probably silt much quicker than the Roding and as there are no pipelines will be impotent as a water supply.
Tasman District Council pursues local bill for dam land, MP seeks full house support
My advice to the Dam Proponents at TDC is to pay heed to the an old saying When you are in a hole over your head - best you stop digging. At no stage did you ever establish realistic decision frameworks, nor did you read properly theTonkin and Taylor pricing and carve outs. Any more money spent on this scientifically unsupported behemoth is, to use a timeless saying,putting more good general ratepayer money after bad There are other more sustainable solutions if you are prepared to open your mind to them and set about the task objectively as opposed to slavishly manufacturing propaganda to try to build up the case for the current myopic solution.The current discussion about adding Hydro to this plan is not mandated via the Long Term Plan and the recently quoted costs do not reconcile to the expert advice - from the same source and process that gave you the 95% certain price on the dam, published on your own web site. Lets get real about the priority infrastructure needs that will serve the majority of ratepayers quitably across the district and over time. There is no shame in admitting you got it wrong but it would be gross negligence and fiscal folly to spend any more ratepayer money on the proposed unsustainable and unaffordable Lee Dam project.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
The new CEO has issued a statement that even though the project price is not complete TDC will not be revisiting the Irrigators share of investment and running costs set in the 2014 Consultation. I suggest interested ratepayers google TDCme.nz and read the latest blog and look at the draft accounts page 1 near the bottom which show that Irrigators share of water is 93% and Nelson and Richmond use only 7% These figures are taken directly from the MWH Stantec report 2017. Although the Irrigators and their leadership keep inststing they are not getting a subsidy from the ratepayer it is set out in black and white. The ratepayer commitment meanwhile has jumped by around 50%.
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
In answer to no 1, TDC last statement on this issue stated that the 9500 odd Ratepayers in the area of Benefit (Benevolence) will pay all cost overruns above the $3 million. So if Estimator price of $140 million is correct and the project suffers a Blowout of 20% Ratepayers in the area of benefit will pay off the extra $68 million. What a joke. The term sheets preclude TDC from target rating the Irrigators without a massive penalty which TDC have apparently signed up to. Go Figure!!!
Retired UK chartered public sector accountant hits out at Waimea dam process
In Newsline from Dec 2017 ratepayers were told that the ECI process would provide a confirmed full tender price for the total project by May 2018. I have heard tonight that Councillors have been called to a meeting tomorrow to update them on the price received from the ECI Contractors. All Councillors are entitled to copies of the full schedule as provided by the contractors without any omissions and any spin from TDC hierarchy. If the tender document is not on Fulton Hogan / Taylor Contractors letterhead showing a total contract price, along with hourly, daily, cubic metre and tonne rates for extras it should be rejected by all councillors as inadequate for them to perform their duties as councillors. This project has the potential to bankrupt Tasman. Remember the Roxburgh Dam cost over 800% of the tender price at the start of the build.
Waimea dam project like slow train wreck, says Cr Dean McNamara
You havent been paying attention. There is no shortage of water. The dam would be refilled between 8 and 10 times pa. the problem is under the proposed scheme over 90% of the water will simply flow out to sea. TDC engineers state that weirs do not work totally ignoring the four weirs in the Wai-iti and the Waimea East Irrigation Weir which lift water tables and force water into nearby aquifers and bores. Why bother spending $100 million to build a dam when Waimea Irrigators listed the biggest risk to the project modelling may not be correct and in low flow water released from the dam may not reach the bores and aquifers which supply the Richmond supply and the areas irrigators draw from. It is simply a case of harnessing the plentiful supply of water.
Hundreds of protesters voice opposition to Waimea dam
Tonkin & Taylor started pricing in 2002 first price was $20 Million, 2014 Consultation was at $67.6 million, Last year Oct consultation at P95 at $75.9 million. now over $101 million but still several costs not known or priced. With unexpected costs and overruns will exceed $150 million
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
The Maitai was filled without the reservoir being completely cleared of trees and topsoil and has never provided potable water. The Maitai cost $9.7 million to build but when fully paid off in 2003 NCC announced that the project cost was $36 million including paying off all loans. They have spent further millions building treatment plants to treat the water and are looking at it again. CIIL will not allow TDC to take shortcuts like NCC did and unfortunately the pricing gurus have not bothered pricing the Lee yet. The Maitai has a minimum flow of 175 L/S Nov to March and 300 L/S for the rest of the year. TDC have ramped up the minimum flows and imposed ridiculous settings on flows in the Waimea via the TRMP to try to pretend it is the Ratepayers responsibility to put water in the river when nature cannot.
Tasman District Council pursues local bill for dam land, MP seeks full house support
Two vote Mayor Kempthorne says ratepayers can have their say on this bill later in the year. I remind the Mayor that ratepayers have said in the 2014 Consultation they do not want the Dam with 90% of submitters against the Dam. This was repeated again in the 2017 Consultation when over 85% of submitters were against spending their money on the Dam-But the mayor a former Orchadist, with his two votes has managed to deflect a call for a ratepayer referendum on a Go /No Go vote which he promised on three occasions once the Tender Price is available Now he is saying he knows best. The secrecy, lack of open disclosure and closed workshops attended by WIL is not proper process and to give Councillors briefings 15 minutes prior to news releases is appalling, leaving them embarrassed and out of the loop, This dictatorial leadership is not democratic and must be challenged by all councillors and the new CEO.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne to stay in wash up of Waimea dam decision
No one is claiming there is a shortage of water. The dam will be fully recharged eight or ten times per year. The problem is TDC have their heads in the sand over harnessing the water like the WEIS scheme does so it all flows out to sea. Two or tree weirs strategically placed to recharge aquifers and bores would make a stunning difference to the water tables and water to pump BUT TDC decided years ago that weirs do not work in the Waimea. I note they praise the difference four weirs make in the Wai-Iti. Go Figure!!!
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
Read the 2017 MWH Stantec report or go to TDCME.nz for a summary. Irrigators get 93% of the benefit for less than 33% of the cost. Why have Waimea East Irrigators not affiliated to the WIL scheme, Simply because of the cost. This project is a massive rort on the general ratepayer in tasman. One Kainui sized pond will provide enough stored water to cover the 10% which may be needed for NCC and TDC urban supply and Kainui cost $3.7 million although clever Kirby priced a slightly smaller river side pond at $54 million. This project is all about 15 large irrigators many friends of the mayor a former failed orchardist, who can see the opportunity for cheap guaranteed water
'Power of the people' key factor in council U-turn on Golden Bay grandstand
Absolutely no chance of remedial work and needed upgrades in Mapua and Motueka areas in next 30 years if the Mayors pet Dam project goes ahead. Much of the needed upgrades were in the 10 year plan ten years ago but have disappeared as pet jobs like the originally flagged $6 million Queen St Water Treatment plant blew out to about $12 million then the Queen St upgrade flagged in Newsline as a $6.5 million project to be completed within the calendar year Feb to Nov 2017, still not complete but now over $15 million. TDC are not competent to run a bath let alone a multi million dollar contract.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
Read TDCme and you might get an idea of the no against
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
TDC and Adviser palmer from WIL are claiming the Lee Dam is a 100 year solution, BUT the nearby Roding scheme in much less aggressive terrain was commissioned in 1940 and was silted to the top of the reservoir by 1970. The dam wall was heightened in 1972 but was silted to top again by 1990. The Lee will probably be impotent before the loans are paid off. The advantage of the Roding is when the wall was heightened the intake for the pipeline was moved to below the wall so it still provides water. With the Lee there is no pipeline
Retired UK chartered public sector accountant hits out at Waimea dam process
Neither councillors nor general ratepayers have been given full, honest and well researched information on this proposed pet project of irrigators and the mayor and deputy mayor. The process to date has been woefully inadequate for a scheme that will irrevocably commit the community at large to life cycle costs (to debt repayment) in the range $260 million to $460million depending on the eventual build cost and interest rates and repayment terms. Yet irrigators have been promised they will only have to contribute $136million regardless of capital and running costs. This rort on general ratepayers is unfair and unreasonable.
Tuesday looms as likely decision day for controversial Waimea dam project
If you read the proposal there is no shortage of water. The proposed dam will hold 13 million Cu m but will be replenished between 8 and 12 times per year. All this water will flow down to Nelson Haven and out to sea. It is NOT ratepayers who should pay for Irrigators water. TDC has its head in the sand over the advantages of strategically placed weirs to refill the aquifers and bores.
First-World water prices for Third-World supply, says industry leader
Do not believe the propaganda and spin from TDC. THERE IS NO shortage of water. The proposed but not needed 13.4 million cubic metre dam will refill itself 8 to 10 times every year. This is the same water that flows into nelson haven every day. TDC have their collective heads in the sand over the benefits of correctly placed weirs to raise the water table near the required bores and aquifers to force ground water to resupply on a continuing basis even in low flow. TDC have dismissed weirs as unsuitable as the Mayor wants to build Lake Kempthorne by hook or by crook. Three years ago he claimed 80 weirs would be required to replace his precious dam. NO law in NZ requires general ratepayers to resupply flow in a river when the controlling authority allows irrigators to suck it dry. The Resource Management Act states quite clearly it is the responsibility of those using resources to mitigate any consequences. Three weirs and three Kainui sized ponds will supply all water requirements for decades to come. Why should Golden Bay, Motueka, Tapawera, Murchison and local ratepayers who look after their own water needs subsidise irrigators who compete with many of them in supplying produce on a daily basis. Tell you ward councillor how you feel, they may decide the future of the dam next Tuesday.
Tasman District Council faces calls to shelve Waimea dam plan
9am Thu August 9th At TDC Queen ST See you there
First-World water prices for Third-World supply, says industry leader
I agree entirely, staff are making too many decisions and keeping most Councillors in the dark. Read TDCME to get an Idea of the hurdles faced by councillors.
Tasman District Council pursues local bill for dam land, MP seeks full house support
TDC claimed back in 2013 there was 7760 Ha available to irrigate, they later admitted that 300ha was an area of sand on Rabbit Island which they withdrew from the total area able to be irrigated. Then they set a target of 3000ha of affiliation before the project can proceed BUT stated that they expect a further 2660 ha to affiliate in the years going forward to make the scheme a success. With the cost of affiliation due to rise with the Skyrocketing Real Cost over the four year old P95 Guess by senior TDC staff which was consulted on twice I think TDC should call a halt to spending until real costs and risks are professionally quantified. I also think TDC should think carefully about why the Waimea East Scheme has Irrigated over 1000 Ha per year in the past but members have only signed up for about one third of that. The ones I have spoken to said they could not afford to affiliate and survive economically and would rather pull out their trees, vines, crops etc and revert to grazing with the available water.
Waimea dam ad prompts complaint
The 2014 Consultation stated there would be a Binding ratepayer Referendum to decide the Go / No Go decision. When TDC was heavily defeated and realised most ratepayers did not want the dam they took the Referendum option out of the 2017 Consultation, stating it was not a popular choice but TDC knows what is best for the area.When recently voted on the two vote mayor on a 7/7 decision undemocratically used his casting vote to avoid a ratepayer vote.
Tasman District Council ends year with debt lower than forecast, $2.4m surplus
One year ago Clever Kirby stated with extra new staff the full project team would have no problem spending the $53.98 Million capital works budget by 30 June 18, with indications of a $2.4 million underspend, now TDC announce a $24.2 million underspend even worse than previous years. What is going on at TDC, full staff with very poor management of projects and resources ?? No wonder ratepayers are distressed at the thought of TDC running the Dam project. Still if you keep back almost half your spending you can pretend your books look good while further delaying stressed infrastructure.
Tasman District Council faces calls to shelve Waimea dam plan
Waimea Irrigators sent a News release that all deposits are held in a Trust Account so should be secure