Whanganui coalition reformed

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 267, 13 December 1988, Page 1

Whanganui coalition reformed

Electricorp's decision to appeal the reduction of their Wanganui River headwaters draw-off has led to the revival of the Whanganui River Flows Coalition.

Keith Chapple is to chair the group and Tom Wells will be his deputy. The group was originally to disband when a review of the allocation of the headwaters was complete. "Electricorp have refused to abide by the decision and have chosen instead to drag the public through an expensive and time consuming appeal process," said Mr Chapple. "Under these circumstances key people from the Coalition consider it absolutely necessary that the voice of the people be heard." Among objectives of the revived group are: to apply pressure "publicly and at ministerial level for Electricorp to abandon its appeal and apply

for a water right"; to" represent its member associates at the planning tribunal hearing, should Electricorp proceed with its appeal; to "undertake and publish a critical examination

of the lengths to which Electricorp is prepared to go i n achieving its ends"; and to provide an outlet for the public to express their views and vent their anger and "lessen the calls for direct action which could be illegal and dangerous." Mr Chapple believes

the Coalition conducted a "campaign of reasonableness and exposure of the facts" prior to the July 1988 hearing. "We were confident the broad terms of reference sought by the Coalition and issued by the Catchment Board would result in a reasonable and fair al-

location of water," said the chairman. "We consider the interim decision to allocate 53 per cent of the available water to Electricorp is reasonable and acceptable for the time being and are outraged Electricorp should now waste hundreds of thousands of electricity

Whanganui coalition recalled

From page 1 consumer dollars in pursuit of its aims." The group says it is important to remember that the previous s i t u a tion o f "unconditional privileged Crown water rights" no longer applies. "Electricorp currently lease the Whanganui headwaters at no cost," said Mr Chapple. The group maintajns there is a "profound difference" between a water right and minimum flows setting. "A water right applicant must prove the requirement for water," says Mr Chapple. "It is clear Electricorp are using the appeal procedure to set conditions of a water right before those rights are determined." He says the coalition's requests are not unreasonable.