| Contact |
River Guardians can be contacted
by email on rgm@korimako.co.nz
|
| December 2008 |
After pressure from the Network Tasman Trustees,
the Network Tasman board agreed to consult with a few organisations
they selected. This excluded those most affected by the proposed scheme
including the residents and tourism operators of Murchison. After
a surge of protest the company wishing to dam the Matakitaki had to
back down and hold open forums to explain their intentions. |
| 19 - 21 June 2009 |
A series of 6 presentations
by Wayne Mackey, the CEO of Network Tasman and facilitated by Lawless
Edge, were presented at meetings in Nelson and Murchison.
At these meetings it became clear that original
plans that had been put forward had changed dramatically and instead
of dewatering the river by diverting it into canals it was now proposed
to turn the river into a series of three lakes by building the following:
- 43 metre high dam at Horse Terrace
- 35 metre high dam at Mammoth Gorge
- 20 metre high dam at Blue Rock.
|
| 30th June 2009 |
River Guardians
Murchison Inc was formed with the following aims:
- To preserve the spiritual, recreational
and economic amenity values of Murchison’s wild and scenic
rivers for future generations recognising they are central to
our community and national identity, and international reputation
and with special regard to:
• Wild and scenic characteristics that are free to be enjoyed
by all.
• protecting the ecosystems
• Protecting the fisheries and water based wildlife habitats.
• Ensuring the areas unique identity is preserved
• The community quality of life and economic vitality of
the surrounding region is protected.
- To amend the Buller Conservation Order so
that all tributaries are fully protected.
|
| 15th July 2009 |
Submissions to Network Tasman close with over
300 submissions received and with the vast majority opposing the development.
|
| 30th July 2009 |
A presentation was made to the Tourism Focus group
of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce by River Guardians. |
| 2nd October 2009 |
Network Tasman respond to
submitters stating that the area upstream of Horse Terrace Bridge
is less well used by anglers and using that as justification for
progressing their plans to the next stage.
This is challenged by anglers and other users
as being grossly inaccurate. It was made clear in many submissions
to Network Tasman that the Horse Terrace section that is under threat
of being flooded is very special to anglers and other river users.
|
| The future |
Many who have followed this process now believe
that the only thing that will stop the company applying for Resource
Consent to destroy this unique region will be whether the scheme
is financially viable. The company is now undertaking 2 years of
river flow measurements to determine whether they can make money
from damming the Matakitaki. It is doubtful that this financial
assessment will take into consideration the cost that will be carried
by those whose livelihood is presently centred around the river,
or the cost in lost tourism earnings to the region and New Zealand.
For those interested in obtaining more information or wishing to
help stop the proposed destruction of this wild river, please contact
River Guardians. |
