Anger at Government’s Westpower decision

Anger at Government’s Westpower decision image
News | 18 September, 2019
There is huge disappointment over the government’s decision to decline Westpower's application to build a run-of-river (ie. no dam) hydro scheme.

Westpower had put 12 years into seeking approval.

 

Many locals are stunned by the decision. "Coast seethes over Waitaha", was the headline in the Greymouth Star.
     

ENA’s Graeme Peters says clearly there were arguments on both sides, and Environment Minister David Parker had to make a call. “But I was struck when reading his decision declining the concession how many arguments and facts supported the scheme (or said it would have minimal impact) and relatively few were against.”
     

Westpower is now considering its options in response to the decision.