More water for the Wanganui wanted

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 28 October 1987, Page 1

More water for the Wanganui wanted

A coalition of groups concerned about the amount of water that flows down the Wanganui River was formed at a public meeting held in Taumarunui last week. The sole objective of the coalition is 'to - have the Tongariro Power Development Water Right reviewed'. The water right in ques-

tion was granted nearly 30 years ago, according to the King Country Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, who convened the meeting. It allows the Tongariro hydro power scheme to draw off up to 80 percent of the Wanganui River headwaters' flow for the Rangipo, Tokaanu and Waikato power schemes. The coalition was formed from 15 concerned groups and businesses that indi-

cated they would nominate representatives to work for the coalition. Keith Chapple, King Country RFBPSNZ branch president, said his group , wanted to see a natural rhythmic flow in the river rather than having the Wanganui "being regulated by a set of giant taps". He said the river was presently controlled according to dictates of electricity consumption and claimed the Department of Conservation staff managing the Whanganui National Park were stuck between two schools of thought. On the one hand the 74,000 hectares of lowland forest is to be managed on a maximum protection policy, on the other, the river is currently managed on a maximum exploitation policy," said Mr Chapple. At the meeting, two alternative approaches to achieving greater water flows were suggested. One approach was to put their case to the five-year-ly flow rates review, which is due in May next year. A "minimum flow regime" was set up in 1983, which set minimum rates of flow of the Wanganui for different times of the year. The rates were set as a result of Cont'd on p. 5

Wanganui water Cont'd from p. 1 public concern, to ensure a guaranteed water flow for jetboaters, canoeists, tourism operators and others. The case put would call for the reduced extraction of water from the Wanganui headwaters. The other approach suggested was for the coalition to lobby government directly for a major review of the Tongariro hydro scheme water right. This approach was suggested by the King Country branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. Mr Chapple said once a review is announced, with an acceptable timetable and terms of reference, the coalition could disband and put their individual cases to the review. Mr Chapple proposed a proportional flow fixed at 30 percent draw-off from the headwaters for Electricorp with the other 70 percent allowed to reach the Wanganui. He said with this significant increase in river flow, damage to aquatic life and the river banks would be reduced, though the river would still not be returned to its former glory. Arthur Bates from Wanganui suggested the flows Mr Chapple was proposing might be achieved through the minimum flow regime