Controversial Waimea Dam project resurrected by Tasman District Council

Tasman councillors voted in favour of an offer of additional funding put forward by supporters of the scheme.

A controversial dam project in the Tasman region has been resurrected.

The Waimea Community Dam project was voted down by Tasman District Council last week, in light of escalating costs to ratepayers .

This afternoon, that decision was overturned with a vote 9-5.

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne says new information was presented to councillors that showed the cost to ratepayers to meet the project’s $23-26 million shortfall would be minimised.

The information also showed the risk of the council’s credit support for a loan to irrigators had “significantly reduced”.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do to reach financial close and the final decision point for the dam,” Mr Kempthorne said.

Opponents and supporters of the Waimea Dam clashed in a protest over its future.

“However, today’s decision means we keep the ability to draw on $73 million in external funding for a project that will give us 100-year water security and protect the health of our precious water resource.”

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