It is patronizing to have to watch this rubbish every tim before flying. Just make a sensible safety video, and save the taxpayer several million in the process. We dont need some lame celebrity to tell us how to wear a seatbelt (respect to rikki baker tho).
This is just a very unhealthy state of affairs, where the TDC is concealing the facts from the public under the guise of commercial sensitivity, when it is primarily public money (ratepayers money) on the line! It is obvious that they are being strategic and managing this process to implement a project that the public has rejected. Please Councillors do not be bullied and walked all over. I worry when I read about a working party of two involving the deputy mayor... We are badly in need of some transparency and honesty in this process, which just seems to be spiralling deeper into the shadows.
Kempthorne and King - do the right thing and bow out now. Accept that this is not going to happen, and that continuing now would be wrong and undemocratic. Millions in public funds have been wasted without a mandate, and carrying on now would be highly unethical and grossly irresponsible. Listen to the community - this dam is not wanted, and you need to stop throwing good money after bad. It is hard to admit that you were wrong, but it is far better than continuing on down this dead-end road, which will cost us all dearly, and indebt our children and grandchildren.
Nothing but contempt for ratepayers, democratic process and transparency from the TDC. Are they complying with the Local Government Act?: The purpose of local government is to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities and a local authority should ensure that the governance structures and processes are effective, open, and transparent - I doubt it.
They wont stop until it is built. This is as clear a message as you could get of the disdain and contempt these people have for the community and local democratic process. They will keep going, chainging the rules and bending them until they get what they want. They simply believe (probably correctly) that ratepayers and the public can be manipulated to any end they see fit.
Maybe now Kempthorne and King can do the decent thing and quietly bow out, taking their hangers-on staff with them, and let the rest move ahead with exploring the more affordable and sustainable solutions that we all know exist. This was always going to come in at an astronomical cost, and thats before accounting for the inevitable budget blow-out on the construction phase. Too much public money has been thrown into the black hole! Enough is enough!
No nothing ever does, and that couldnt be 1r with this Council. The problem is that it is so far out of the affordable range, and likely to over-shoot so much more, that it would simply be reckless to continue - Particularly given that it is going to benefit a few big irrigators at everyone elses expense and risk. The gross waste of public monies so far is bad enough, and there is really no argument that they couldnt have seen this coming..
He criticised this... He criticised that... Then, speaking afterwards, he criticised this and that... Totally in character. I hope he stays firmly at the helm, and leads National to a crushing defeat.
OK so the new CEO is not impartial either. Just when you think she might come out and say it could be irresponsible to continue given the circumstances, she comes out and says it might be irresponsible to stop now given the work done to date! Never mind that the public has consistently rejected the scheme. It beggars belief. It seems the ratepayer just cant win.
This is really out of order. The Mayor and his puppeteers are leaning on these two councillors now to get the to change their minds... This is nothing but corruption and bullying. It is just a mockery to now come and say hold on, we can find some more money after trying to shamelessly fleece ratepayers under the previous proposal. I hope these councillors are not as weak as Kempthorne expects, and that they have the integrity to stand their ground.
If this investor invests in WIL then no problem. But if they are allowed to simply waltz up with $30m and grab a huge chunk of our (collectively owned!) water resource, then that is not OK. There needs to be some serious scrutiny here. Already WIL have wrangled it so they can buy water rights beyond the acreage they own.
Absolutely agree with this. Watch now for desperate efforts to manipulate the figures or discredit the provider or seek another independent quote... The Mayors approach here suggests that they are preparing for this, by refusing to give the actual numbers. His claim that he doesnt know the detail is just not believable.
This has turned into an outright water-grab! Who says these anonymous so-called inter-generational family businesses are allowed to seize all the water? It stinks! No prizes for guessing who it is - the same families that already control everything (including the Council, it seems)
How can we possibly believe the costing of the alternatives given how out of whack the dam costing has been? Please have the alternatives independently (and transparently!) costed again. Lets be honest - they werent properly investigated at the time because a dam has always been the preferred option of those in charge.
When you say the public is going to get a say, Im sorry but I just dont believe it anymore. We have repeatedly said no to this dam, and it has been arrogantly ignored at every step of the way - even with som 85 % of submitters opposed this council has carried on. The mayor himself has happily used his casting vote to continue the process in direct contradiction to the will of the people. The real travesty in this is the flat refusal to listen to ratepayers or consider alternatives... why do you never write about that??
I understand that you dont like it... But you do know it is 1. Remember feeling a little outnumbered at the protest the other day? The fact is this dam will benefit some to a much greater extent than others (you know what I mean), and this is not reflected in the funding model, where the wider community carries the bulk of the cost and risk. Its not trolling, and there is no anti-dam brigade. It is just simply 1 that the vast majority of ratepayers are very concerned about this project.
Scathing comment by someone obviously out of touch with the issue. It is not eco-warriors who oppose this project but normal everyday ratepayers and residents, who face having someone elses misadventure foisted on them. We dont want to subsidize your private business.
Murray King is absolutely not qualified to pass judgement on the viability or otherwise of storage ponds. It is judgements like this that steered us down the dam-at-all-costs path to begin with... What is ludicrous is the idea that there is no alternative to a dam! It is also ludicrous that major decisions around regional infrastructure and water security should be made by a handful of vocal farmers with no credentials or qualifications in the field. Go figure.
It is astounding what the TDC can get away with. To the rest of the country this looks like hicksville - a few big growers run the council in their own interest, while the TDC staff is just stacked with people waiting to retire. No proper Regional Council would operate like this or be able to get away with it. As for the next election - nobody cares - theyre all planning on jumping ship then anyway - at least the Mayor and Deputy and the other pro-dam folk. The question is, how many of them have family ties to the club of 14 investors?
The Mayor and dam proponents always promised that if it got too expensive, they would abandon the project. It got too expensive, and they refused to do as promised, so finally the Council, acting for the prople, voted it down (not before $20-odd million had been wasted). Not much more to it really. They made the right decision, and we can be thankful. Now we need to move on with a fresh council to find a workable solution.
Thanks to Councillors Turley, McNamara and Wensley for their courage and commitment. Please keep doing what you are doing and dont be bullied. As for King stepping in to stop the discussion - that sounds about right.
Dams are actually being removed all over the developed world, as they are recognised as economically unsustainable and environmentally destructive. Building one here - especially one of this size and phenomenal cost - would in fact not be progressive, just really misguided. The future of our region is not in big infrastructure and intensification of industrial agriculture.
There is no robust technical advice to say that the dam will not have negative impacts on water quality - despite what Nick Smith says. The TDC has sought advice on a very specific range of issues, and is completely ignoring the increased nutrient loading that is destined to occur as irrigators try to intensify to pay for the dam... This is very likely to degrade the groundwter and even the river. Very short-sighted, and they should not be allowed to neglect this. The Environment Court woud be a good place to tackle it!
There is no anti-dam brigade, just a large majority of ratepayers who cant support the proposal as it stood, given the grossly unfair distribution of cost and risk and the undemocratic process by which the project was pushed.
As if this were the first case of this kind of manipulation and deception in this sorry Dam saga! The whole thing has been a cynical campaign to massage the finances and the science and to manipulate public opinion. Thats why there is so much opposition, and thats why people were disappointed when councillors flip-flopped on their positions on the basis of a little more information on the financial model (which the public has still not been informed of).
Yes - but under the current dam proposal the Council is planning to rate you twice for it! Once through its commitment of funds and guaranteeing of the irrigators loan, and a second time through an additional targeted rate (and maybe a third time if you happen to live within the dams footprint)! This is what people need to wake up to.
This how democracy works at the local level in NZ. Controlled by big fish in small ponds, with the aquescience of councils that are captured by local business interests and are puppets of national politicians. Dont expect that the will of the public can win out.
Smith said he would be working closely with the select committee... - You bet he will. That is what he does best, working quitely behind the scenes to get what he wants. I would just say that Labour MPs should recognise this scheme for what it is, stop being so weak, and stand up to Smiths maneuvering for once.
Stop making things up - it is not 18 years of work, and it is not approved by the Environment Court - it has not been to the Environment Court. You make it sound like everyone except the Greens support this dam, when in fact most ratepayers oppose it, and for very good reason: Not because they are anti-progress naysayers as you love to claim, but because it is a corporate welfare scheme that stands to saddle our children and their children with a huge debt for the benefit of a few fat cats.
Dont you see? They dont care if they get voted out - they are retiring anyway. They just want to get this over the line and then jump ship. Once its past the point of no return, there is no need for them to stay on (especially when the blowouts start to pile up, they will be long gone).
Funny they are talking about $68m now... not sure where that comes from, as the expected cost before this latest blow-out was $84m plus... Mark my words, if it goes ahead it will not come in at under $110m.
Many thanks to the Councillors who took a stand on the side of democracy.WIL and the whole misadventure was not run on the smell of an oily rag - It actually absorbed millions in public funds pursuing a project most did not want - money that could have been spent on sensible alternatives. Somebody should be held accountable.As for the decision, it was the only responsible one to take in the circumstances. Now it is time to clean out any staff that refuse to see past the dam, and move ahead with fresh leadership on sustainable, affordable and equitably funded alternatives.
So how to compile the evidence, which by now is mounting up, and bring a case against this travesty? If nothing is done this will all just fall into place as they hope...
Do not single people out here. These councillors have the backing of the vast majority of ratepayers, and they did their job. If you want to lay blame over this, look to the TDC staff and leaders who tried to force it through with no regard for ratepayers at large.
Astounding the level of commentary from these two so-called leaders. The tone is that of schoolyard bullies. Saying councilors have no backbone, and calling them midgets... it is just nasty, and confirms the level at which these guys operate. They just dont like not getting their own way. Yes we need to move ahead with some big decisions, but not at the cost of our local democracy.
I third it. But what does it take to actually insist on this and see it done?? Kempthorne will just block it with his two votes. The way I see it, the Golden Bay, Motueka and Murchison ward councillors need to get the courage to actually represent the interests of their constituents, end the stupid deadlock in Council, and can the dam. Only then can we get on with looking properly at the viable alternatives
Sorry to break it to you, but the mauri and mana of the river will be degraded by a dam. The health of the Waimea could be restored by curtailing irrigation, which has been allowed to expand without limits. Continuing to over-exploit the aquifers and intensifying agriculture on the Plains will not help the mauri of the river or the aquifers or the estuary.
Sorry - but a quote from the full Council agenda is not worth the paper it is written on! We have just seen that the Council sees no obligation to abide by its own decisions. Might be time to think about what you understand by the term facts...
This comes down to the common sense and democratic integrity of the councillors now. TDC staff are just going to advocate singlemindedly for the dam as they have been for the last 5 years, because changing tack would mean losing face. Admitting the mistake would be too much to swallow. So, councillors, please do the decent thing and put a stop to this folly now. Voting it down will actually allow the mayor and deputy mayor a way out without having to admit they were wrong and, more importantly, it will be doing right by todays ratepayers and future generations.
The problem is that it is being pushed by non-elected staff, private businessmen, and meddling national-level political figures like Nick Smith. Sadly it doesnt really seem to matter who the elected councilors are... they are expendable. If there was a large majority opposed then maybe, but they seem to mostly get indoctrinated into the pro-dam camp.
Mayor Kempthorne - Yes you should expect to be accused of scaremongering, because the TINA (there is no alternative) mantra is a well-known form of scaremongering. Please provide some believable evidence to show that all the alternatives are too expensive. It is just not believable that we have no other options.
I fully agree. Frustrating thing is that this is so plain to see, and everyone knows it, but we cant seem to collectively put a stop to it. People of Golden Bay and Murchison need to wake up to this... as do Nelson ratepayers.
If the TDC website is your main source, then you are already lost. The whole point is that TDC have been selective and manipulative with the information. Seems like you have come to this debate rather late in the piece, with this kind of wide-eyed admiration for TDC information.
Please dont let this become about the Greens. I thank them for opposing the dam, but Nick Smith knows they are divisive in Tasman, and frequently uses this to his advantage. Regardless of what everyone may think of the greens, this dam is a bad idea, and the government needs to get a better understanding of the issues.
Depends on your definition of progress. If you think we can just go on taking more and more from the environment, and loading it up with more and more nutrients and contaminants, and solve all this through technical fixes and big infrastructure, you are in for a rude awakening. It is not sustainable, and we need to start to recognise that there are some natural limits.
The salt in the wound with all of this is that it is our rates that are funding their pro dam campaign. We are paying PWC, we are paying for all the consultants reports, and we are paying their salaries so that they can argue against any proposed alternative courses of action and shut down any opposition. Feel like youre being had?
Just arrogant to assume $150 is easy to part with for everyone. It is particularly hard to part with if its being diverted straight into someone elses pocket.
My guess, Green Machine, is that you are one of those you refer to above as having zero idea because you clearly have no grasp of the relationship between irrigation, intensification nutrient loss. The river, aquifers and estuary are all interconnected and more nutrients on land means more nutrients in the water.
There is a lesson in it though, you have to agree. TDC, and particularly the Mayor and his deputy, thought they could force this on the community, and never genuinely listened to the widely-held concerns of ratepayers about the funding model and the apportionment of debt and risk. If you dont take the public along in these processes, they will collapse. No excuse for having let this happen really, with recent experience with Ruataniwha etc.
By then it will be too late. Kamakaze Kempthorne doesnt care if he gets back in or not - as long as he gets the dam over the line (and I I wouldnt trust Richmond not to re-elect him anyway). We need to focus on other options to stop this...
Agree. PWC are in the business of milking local authorities in a big way. Essentially they wil sell you a powerpoint presentation for 200K, telling you whatever you want to hear.
I agree. I do not understand Labours support for this Bill - People need to make their dissatisfaction with this heard, and write a submission to the select committee - it is not hard to do.
A few proponents have come out of the woodwork now that some of the cracks in the facade are showing. To them I say: Find a fair and affordable way to secure the water supply, and get some competent people in charge of doing it. The process around this dam has been a disgrace, as has the gross waste of public money. Everyone can see this, so get your heads out of the sand!
There isnt one. It is all commissioned by WIL or TDC from their friends and former colleagues specifically to paint a pretty picture. Anything that doesnt fit the bill does not see the light of day.
Youre a bit of a voice in the wilderness on this one Green Machine. Ever stop to think that maybe the minority of dam advocates are wrong, and the vast majority of ratepayers are justified in their objections? Contrary to what the TDC assumes, ratepayers are normal, grown-up, educated, intelligent people. For TDC to disregard the communitys clear rejection of this dam is totally arrogant.
Dear Ms Dowding,I sincerely hope you are able to remain objective about the Waimea Dam,because there will be pressure to fall into line. Please know that most ratepayers are very concerned about the proposal itself, and the way it has been advanced by the Council and dam proponents in apparent disregard for this widely-held concern.
Time to rate Tasman irrigators and Murchison and Golden Bay residents for this project - as it will clearly have region-wide benefits, that will trickle down to everybody. All in the region will enjoy the benefits of a 67%-EQ-safe cathedral.
The reporting around this issue lately is so silly - all the talk of who is the most powerful climate figure... He will have the power to recommend - that doesnt sound too powerful to me. He will be as influential as the government lets him be. Such a circus, and the media is just perpetuating it. How about some proper reporting?
Thanks Prof. Shaw for speaking out. Too many agricultural and business interests tied into glyphosate to ban it... The farmers would be up in arms, and we cant have that.
'Degrading' adverts that outraged renters are shown the door
Quinovic has for a long time been a nightmare for tenants. These ads sum them up perfectly.
Shane Jones attacks Air NZs hip hop safety video as trivialising safety
It is patronizing to have to watch this rubbish every tim before flying. Just make a sensible safety video, and save the taxpayer several million in the process. We dont need some lame celebrity to tell us how to wear a seatbelt (respect to rikki baker tho).
Security plan for sensitive Waimea dam project documents "reeks"
This is just a very unhealthy state of affairs, where the TDC is concealing the facts from the public under the guise of commercial sensitivity, when it is primarily public money (ratepayers money) on the line! It is obvious that they are being strategic and managing this process to implement a project that the public has rejected. Please Councillors do not be bullied and walked all over. I worry when I read about a working party of two involving the deputy mayor... We are badly in need of some transparency and honesty in this process, which just seems to be spiralling deeper into the shadows.
Waimea dam build price $18m over estimate, project cost blows out by $26m
Kempthorne and King - do the right thing and bow out now. Accept that this is not going to happen, and that continuing now would be wrong and undemocratic. Millions in public funds have been wasted without a mandate, and carrying on now would be highly unethical and grossly irresponsible. Listen to the community - this dam is not wanted, and you need to stop throwing good money after bad. It is hard to admit that you were wrong, but it is far better than continuing on down this dead-end road, which will cost us all dearly, and indebt our children and grandchildren.
Plans for Waimea dam project secrecy has the backing of Tasman council boss
Nothing but contempt for ratepayers, democratic process and transparency from the TDC. Are they complying with the Local Government Act?: The purpose of local government is to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities and a local authority should ensure that the governance structures and processes are effective, open, and transparent - I doubt it.
Decisions like dam vote can be revisited says Sir Geoffrey Palmer
They wont stop until it is built. This is as clear a message as you could get of the disdain and contempt these people have for the community and local democratic process. They will keep going, chainging the rules and bending them until they get what they want. They simply believe (probably correctly) that ratepayers and the public can be manipulated to any end they see fit.
Plans for Waimea dam project secrecy has the backing of Tasman council boss
But its not private business. It is public money and resources, being allocated by public officials, representing the public. Can you comprehend that?
Project in peril: Early price for Waimea dam build 'significantly over' estimated cost
Maybe now Kempthorne and King can do the decent thing and quietly bow out, taking their hangers-on staff with them, and let the rest move ahead with exploring the more affordable and sustainable solutions that we all know exist. This was always going to come in at an astronomical cost, and thats before accounting for the inevitable budget blow-out on the construction phase. Too much public money has been thrown into the black hole! Enough is enough!
Project in peril: Early price for Waimea dam build 'significantly over' estimated cost
No nothing ever does, and that couldnt be 1r with this Council. The problem is that it is so far out of the affordable range, and likely to over-shoot so much more, that it would simply be reckless to continue - Particularly given that it is going to benefit a few big irrigators at everyone elses expense and risk. The gross waste of public monies so far is bad enough, and there is really no argument that they couldnt have seen this coming..
Opposition leader Simon Bridges wants Nick Smith to continue
He criticised this... He criticised that... Then, speaking afterwards, he criticised this and that... Totally in character. I hope he stays firmly at the helm, and leads National to a crushing defeat.
TDC hopes Provincial Growth Fund will plug $18m hole in Waimea dam plan
OK so the new CEO is not impartial either. Just when you think she might come out and say it could be irresponsible to continue given the circumstances, she comes out and says it might be irresponsible to stop now given the work done to date! Never mind that the public has consistently rejected the scheme. It beggars belief. It seems the ratepayer just cant win.
Waimea dam project may be refloated
This is really out of order. The Mayor and his puppeteers are leaning on these two councillors now to get the to change their minds... This is nothing but corruption and bullying. It is just a mockery to now come and say hold on, we can find some more money after trying to shamelessly fleece ratepayers under the previous proposal. I hope these councillors are not as weak as Kempthorne expects, and that they have the integrity to stand their ground.
Waimea Irrigators finds investor to help plug funding gap for dam plan
If this investor invests in WIL then no problem. But if they are allowed to simply waltz up with $30m and grab a huge chunk of our (collectively owned!) water resource, then that is not OK. There needs to be some serious scrutiny here. Already WIL have wrangled it so they can buy water rights beyond the acreage they own.
Project in peril: Early price for Waimea dam build 'significantly over' estimated cost
Absolutely agree with this. Watch now for desperate efforts to manipulate the figures or discredit the provider or seek another independent quote... The Mayors approach here suggests that they are preparing for this, by refusing to give the actual numbers. His claim that he doesnt know the detail is just not believable.
Economic development minister Shane Jones lets loose on Waimea dam funding
Jones is out of touch. Where the heck is Damian OConnor on this issue? He is obviously not prepared to represent his constituents on this one.
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
This has turned into an outright water-grab! Who says these anonymous so-called inter-generational family businesses are allowed to seize all the water? It stinks! No prizes for guessing who it is - the same families that already control everything (including the Council, it seems)
Tasman District Council faces calls to shelve Waimea dam plan
How can we possibly believe the costing of the alternatives given how out of whack the dam costing has been? Please have the alternatives independently (and transparently!) costed again. Lets be honest - they werent properly investigated at the time because a dam has always been the preferred option of those in charge.
Tasman District Council pursues local bill for dam land, MP seeks full house support
When you say the public is going to get a say, Im sorry but I just dont believe it anymore. We have repeatedly said no to this dam, and it has been arrogantly ignored at every step of the way - even with som 85 % of submitters opposed this council has carried on. The mayor himself has happily used his casting vote to continue the process in direct contradiction to the will of the people. The real travesty in this is the flat refusal to listen to ratepayers or consider alternatives... why do you never write about that??
Plans for Waimea dam project secrecy has the backing of Tasman council boss
I understand that you dont like it... But you do know it is 1. Remember feeling a little outnumbered at the protest the other day? The fact is this dam will benefit some to a much greater extent than others (you know what I mean), and this is not reflected in the funding model, where the wider community carries the bulk of the cost and risk. Its not trolling, and there is no anti-dam brigade. It is just simply 1 that the vast majority of ratepayers are very concerned about this project.
Tasman District Council faces calls to shelve Waimea dam plan
Scathing comment by someone obviously out of touch with the issue. It is not eco-warriors who oppose this project but normal everyday ratepayers and residents, who face having someone elses misadventure foisted on them. We dont want to subsidize your private business.
Reservoir proposal 'ludicrous' alternative to Waimea dam
Murray King is absolutely not qualified to pass judgement on the viability or otherwise of storage ponds. It is judgements like this that steered us down the dam-at-all-costs path to begin with... What is ludicrous is the idea that there is no alternative to a dam! It is also ludicrous that major decisions around regional infrastructure and water security should be made by a handful of vocal farmers with no credentials or qualifications in the field. Go figure.
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
It is astounding what the TDC can get away with. To the rest of the country this looks like hicksville - a few big growers run the council in their own interest, while the TDC staff is just stacked with people waiting to retire. No proper Regional Council would operate like this or be able to get away with it. As for the next election - nobody cares - theyre all planning on jumping ship then anyway - at least the Mayor and Deputy and the other pro-dam folk. The question is, how many of them have family ties to the club of 14 investors?
Waimea dam project costing Tasman District ratepayers $20,000 every month
Consultation sessions at the Richmond Mall - what a joke! Do they seriously expect us to believe they are listening? Just stop wasting money now!
Waimea dam project like slow train wreck, says Cr Dean McNamara
The Mayor and dam proponents always promised that if it got too expensive, they would abandon the project. It got too expensive, and they refused to do as promised, so finally the Council, acting for the prople, voted it down (not before $20-odd million had been wasted). Not much more to it really. They made the right decision, and we can be thankful. Now we need to move on with a fresh council to find a workable solution.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne accused of scaremongering over no-dam claims
Thanks to Councillors Turley, McNamara and Wensley for their courage and commitment. Please keep doing what you are doing and dont be bullied. As for King stepping in to stop the discussion - that sounds about right.
Tasman District Council pursues local bill for dam land, MP seeks full house support
Sorry - thats scaremongering and just not 1. Get your facts straight.
Tasman councillors vote against proceeding with Waimea dam
Dams are actually being removed all over the developed world, as they are recognised as economically unsustainable and environmentally destructive. Building one here - especially one of this size and phenomenal cost - would in fact not be progressive, just really misguided. The future of our region is not in big infrastructure and intensification of industrial agriculture.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
There is no robust technical advice to say that the dam will not have negative impacts on water quality - despite what Nick Smith says. The TDC has sought advice on a very specific range of issues, and is completely ignoring the increased nutrient loading that is destined to occur as irrigators try to intensify to pay for the dam... This is very likely to degrade the groundwter and even the river. Very short-sighted, and they should not be allowed to neglect this. The Environment Court woud be a good place to tackle it!
Waimea dam project like slow train wreck, says Cr Dean McNamara
There is no anti-dam brigade, just a large majority of ratepayers who cant support the proposal as it stood, given the grossly unfair distribution of cost and risk and the undemocratic process by which the project was pushed.
Reservoir proposal 'ludicrous' alternative to Waimea dam
Damman - You ask this on every article, and you are then given multiple examples... but you still dont seem to (want to) understand...
Waimea dam ad prompts complaint
As if this were the first case of this kind of manipulation and deception in this sorry Dam saga! The whole thing has been a cynical campaign to massage the finances and the science and to manipulate public opinion. Thats why there is so much opposition, and thats why people were disappointed when councillors flip-flopped on their positions on the basis of a little more information on the financial model (which the public has still not been informed of).
Irrigators group revives reservoir scheme as alternative to Waimea dam
Yes - but under the current dam proposal the Council is planning to rate you twice for it! Once through its commitment of funds and guaranteeing of the irrigators loan, and a second time through an additional targeted rate (and maybe a third time if you happen to live within the dams footprint)! This is what people need to wake up to.
Waimea Irrigators finds investor to help plug funding gap for dam plan
This how democracy works at the local level in NZ. Controlled by big fish in small ponds, with the aquescience of councils that are captured by local business interests and are puppets of national politicians. Dont expect that the will of the public can win out.
Call for submissions on local bill related to proposed Waimea dam
Smith said he would be working closely with the select committee... - You bet he will. That is what he does best, working quitely behind the scenes to get what he wants. I would just say that Labour MPs should recognise this scheme for what it is, stop being so weak, and stand up to Smiths maneuvering for once.
Nelson MP Dr Nick Smith defers local bill, urges rethink on Waimea dam vote
Stop making things up - it is not 18 years of work, and it is not approved by the Environment Court - it has not been to the Environment Court. You make it sound like everyone except the Greens support this dam, when in fact most ratepayers oppose it, and for very good reason: Not because they are anti-progress naysayers as you love to claim, but because it is a corporate welfare scheme that stands to saddle our children and their children with a huge debt for the benefit of a few fat cats.
Nelson MP Dr Nick Smith defers local bill, urges rethink on Waimea dam vote
Dont you see? They dont care if they get voted out - they are retiring anyway. They just want to get this over the line and then jump ship. Once its past the point of no return, there is no need for them to stay on (especially when the blowouts start to pile up, they will be long gone).
Tasman District Council faces calls to shelve Waimea dam plan
Funny they are talking about $68m now... not sure where that comes from, as the expected cost before this latest blow-out was $84m plus... Mark my words, if it goes ahead it will not come in at under $110m.
Tasman councillors vote against proceeding with Waimea dam
Many thanks to the Councillors who took a stand on the side of democracy.WIL and the whole misadventure was not run on the smell of an oily rag - It actually absorbed millions in public funds pursuing a project most did not want - money that could have been spent on sensible alternatives. Somebody should be held accountable.As for the decision, it was the only responsible one to take in the circumstances. Now it is time to clean out any staff that refuse to see past the dam, and move ahead with fresh leadership on sustainable, affordable and equitably funded alternatives.
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
So how to compile the evidence, which by now is mounting up, and bring a case against this travesty? If nothing is done this will all just fall into place as they hope...
Waimea dam project like slow train wreck, says Cr Dean McNamara
Do not single people out here. These councillors have the backing of the vast majority of ratepayers, and they did their job. If you want to lay blame over this, look to the TDC staff and leaders who tried to force it through with no regard for ratepayers at large.
Alas: Smith and Jones hit out at council decision to end Waimea dam plan
Astounding the level of commentary from these two so-called leaders. The tone is that of schoolyard bullies. Saying councilors have no backbone, and calling them midgets... it is just nasty, and confirms the level at which these guys operate. They just dont like not getting their own way. Yes we need to move ahead with some big decisions, but not at the cost of our local democracy.
Plans for Waimea dam project secrecy has the backing of Tasman council boss
She was hand-picked for the job.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne accused of scaremongering over no-dam claims
I third it. But what does it take to actually insist on this and see it done?? Kempthorne will just block it with his two votes. The way I see it, the Golden Bay, Motueka and Murchison ward councillors need to get the courage to actually represent the interests of their constituents, end the stupid deadlock in Council, and can the dam. Only then can we get on with looking properly at the viable alternatives
Tasman District Council decides to proceed with controversial Waimea dam project
Sorry to break it to you, but the mauri and mana of the river will be degraded by a dam. The health of the Waimea could be restored by curtailing irrigation, which has been allowed to expand without limits. Continuing to over-exploit the aquifers and intensifying agriculture on the Plains will not help the mauri of the river or the aquifers or the estuary.
Call for submissions on local bill related to proposed Waimea dam
Sorry - but a quote from the full Council agenda is not worth the paper it is written on! We have just seen that the Council sees no obligation to abide by its own decisions. Might be time to think about what you understand by the term facts...
Tuesday looms as likely decision day for controversial Waimea dam project
This comes down to the common sense and democratic integrity of the councillors now. TDC staff are just going to advocate singlemindedly for the dam as they have been for the last 5 years, because changing tack would mean losing face. Admitting the mistake would be too much to swallow. So, councillors, please do the decent thing and put a stop to this folly now. Voting it down will actually allow the mayor and deputy mayor a way out without having to admit they were wrong and, more importantly, it will be doing right by todays ratepayers and future generations.
Tasman councillors vote against proceeding with Waimea dam
I second this. I am sure there was no small amount of pressure to fall into line. Thank you for your integrity and honesty.
Retired UK chartered public sector accountant hits out at Waimea dam process
The problem is that it is being pushed by non-elected staff, private businessmen, and meddling national-level political figures like Nick Smith. Sadly it doesnt really seem to matter who the elected councilors are... they are expendable. If there was a large majority opposed then maybe, but they seem to mostly get indoctrinated into the pro-dam camp.
'Third World' water provisions may be introduced if Waimea dam plan canned
Mayor Kempthorne - Yes you should expect to be accused of scaremongering, because the TINA (there is no alternative) mantra is a well-known form of scaremongering. Please provide some believable evidence to show that all the alternatives are too expensive. It is just not believable that we have no other options.
Retired UK chartered public sector accountant hits out at Waimea dam process
I fully agree. Frustrating thing is that this is so plain to see, and everyone knows it, but we cant seem to collectively put a stop to it. People of Golden Bay and Murchison need to wake up to this... as do Nelson ratepayers.
Call for submissions on local bill related to proposed Waimea dam
If the TDC website is your main source, then you are already lost. The whole point is that TDC have been selective and manipulative with the information. Seems like you have come to this debate rather late in the piece, with this kind of wide-eyed admiration for TDC information.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
Please dont let this become about the Greens. I thank them for opposing the dam, but Nick Smith knows they are divisive in Tasman, and frequently uses this to his advantage. Regardless of what everyone may think of the greens, this dam is a bad idea, and the government needs to get a better understanding of the issues.
Nelson MP Dr Nick Smith defers local bill, urges rethink on Waimea dam vote
Shame on Labour for supporting this pet project of Nick Smith and Nathan Guy and their supporters... Stand up for local democracy!
Tasman District Council decides to proceed with controversial Waimea dam project
Depends on your definition of progress. If you think we can just go on taking more and more from the environment, and loading it up with more and more nutrients and contaminants, and solve all this through technical fixes and big infrastructure, you are in for a rude awakening. It is not sustainable, and we need to start to recognise that there are some natural limits.
Waimea dam may cost $400m to pay back says accountant
The salt in the wound with all of this is that it is our rates that are funding their pro dam campaign. We are paying PWC, we are paying for all the consultants reports, and we are paying their salaries so that they can argue against any proposed alternative courses of action and shut down any opposition. Feel like youre being had?
Tuesday looms as likely decision day for controversial Waimea dam project
Just arrogant to assume $150 is easy to part with for everyone. It is particularly hard to part with if its being diverted straight into someone elses pocket.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
My guess, Green Machine, is that you are one of those you refer to above as having zero idea because you clearly have no grasp of the relationship between irrigation, intensification nutrient loss. The river, aquifers and estuary are all interconnected and more nutrients on land means more nutrients in the water.
Tasman councillors vote against proceeding with Waimea dam
There is a lesson in it though, you have to agree. TDC, and particularly the Mayor and his deputy, thought they could force this on the community, and never genuinely listened to the widely-held concerns of ratepayers about the funding model and the apportionment of debt and risk. If you dont take the public along in these processes, they will collapse. No excuse for having let this happen really, with recent experience with Ruataniwha etc.
Greens to oppose, Labour to back Waimea dam local bill
No you wont. Not if you dont have the money. Talk is cheap.
"Waimea Irrigators Ltd issues replacement prospectus for dam project",
By then it will be too late. Kamakaze Kempthorne doesnt care if he gets back in or not - as long as he gets the dam over the line (and I I wouldnt trust Richmond not to re-elect him anyway). We need to focus on other options to stop this...
Waimea dam may cost $400m to pay back says accountant
Agree. PWC are in the business of milking local authorities in a big way. Essentially they wil sell you a powerpoint presentation for 200K, telling you whatever you want to hear.
Call for submissions on local bill related to proposed Waimea dam
I agree. I do not understand Labours support for this Bill - People need to make their dissatisfaction with this heard, and write a submission to the select committee - it is not hard to do.
Tasman District Council faces calls to shelve Waimea dam plan
A few proponents have come out of the woodwork now that some of the cracks in the facade are showing. To them I say: Find a fair and affordable way to secure the water supply, and get some competent people in charge of doing it. The process around this dam has been a disgrace, as has the gross waste of public money. Everyone can see this, so get your heads out of the sand!
Waimea dam rates on new Tasman District Council bills upset some ratepayers
Take a look at where the King and Kempthorne lands are.... and you see the zone of benefit is by no means an arbitrary line on the map!
Waimea dam project like slow train wreck, says Cr Dean McNamara
Wrong. That is a myth.
Plea for trucks to stop taking risks after near-miss at blackspot
It is a major intersection between two highways actually. Stupid to just have an unmanaged intersection as is currently there.
Waimea dam project costing Tasman District ratepayers $20,000 every month
We need a solution. We dont need this dam. Remove the blinkers.
Waimea dam project costing Tasman District ratepayers $20,000 every month
There isnt one. It is all commissioned by WIL or TDC from their friends and former colleagues specifically to paint a pretty picture. Anything that doesnt fit the bill does not see the light of day.
Security plan for sensitive Waimea dam project documents "reeks"
Youre a bit of a voice in the wilderness on this one Green Machine. Ever stop to think that maybe the minority of dam advocates are wrong, and the vast majority of ratepayers are justified in their objections? Contrary to what the TDC assumes, ratepayers are normal, grown-up, educated, intelligent people. For TDC to disregard the communitys clear rejection of this dam is totally arrogant.
TDC hopes Provincial Growth Fund will plug $18m hole in Waimea dam plan
Oh yeah - great point. We also need the dam for fire-fighting. Now it really is a no brainer - if we dont build the dam we will literally all burn.
Call for submissions on local bill related to proposed Waimea dam
OConnor has family ties to horticulture and dairy... Dont expect anything from him... His silence is deafening though.
Plea for trucks to stop taking risks after near-miss at blackspot
Put a round-about in there or someone will be killed. It is a death trap.
Opposition leader Simon Bridges wants Nick Smith to continue
Yes - thats whats so embarrassing - it is Nelsonians that are responsible for him still being around...
New Tasman District Council boss Janine Dowding finds her feet
Dear Ms Dowding,I sincerely hope you are able to remain objective about the Waimea Dam,because there will be pressure to fall into line. Please know that most ratepayers are very concerned about the proposal itself, and the way it has been advanced by the Council and dam proponents in apparent disregard for this widely-held concern.
Cathedral needs earthquake strengthening to restore sanctity to the sanctuary
Time to rate Tasman irrigators and Murchison and Golden Bay residents for this project - as it will clearly have region-wide benefits, that will trickle down to everybody. All in the region will enjoy the benefits of a 67%-EQ-safe cathedral.
Rod Carr will lead new Climate Change Commission
The reporting around this issue lately is so silly - all the talk of who is the most powerful climate figure... He will have the power to recommend - that doesnt sound too powerful to me. He will be as influential as the government lets him be. Such a circus, and the media is just perpetuating it. How about some proper reporting?
"Roundup, 1080 not on EPA's list as it reassess chemicals for possible bans
Thanks Prof. Shaw for speaking out. Too many agricultural and business interests tied into glyphosate to ban it... The farmers would be up in arms, and we cant have that.