Sage Eugenie: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSage Eugenie: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 12 June 2013. Volume:691;Page:11048. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]9.EUGENIE SAGE (Green)to theMinister for Primary Industries: Is the Ruataniwha irrigation scheme one of the schemes he believes will have “real benefits for the environment”?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development)on behalf of theMinister for Primary Industries: Yes.Eugenie Sage: If the Ruataniwha will have real benefits for the environment why is the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council promoting a plan change for the scheme that would increase allowable levels of nitrate in the Tukituki catchment by more than 1000 percent?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I do not have all that information to hand. The reason that the Minister for Primary Industries is in favour of the environmental benefits of the Ruataniwha scheme is that it will return the summer flows in the Tukituki River to close to natural summer flows. It will provide enhanced recreational opportunities primarily with the reservoir. It will create a safe habitat for threatened species within the reservoir and it will reduce pressure on groundwater extraction because it anticipates replacing existing groundwater extraction with a combination of run of river and stored water. So improved summer flows and flushing flows will assist the management of nuisance weed and algae growth.Eugenie Sage: How does building a dam which would block fish passage and prevent threatened species such as long-finned eel from migrating provide real benefits for the environment and improve habitats for fish as the Minister for Primary Industries claimed in a press statement about irrigation in May?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Again I think I probably answered that to some degree in the previous supplementary question in the examples I gave where I stated that it would improve the environmental benefits for the river and for the catchment. These examples were of course the returning of the summer flows close to natural levels enhanced recreational opportunities creation of a safe habitat for threatened species and reducing pressure on groundwater extraction. That last one is probably one of the most important ones. I would have thought that the Greens rather than just going through their standard response of “Don’t do anything.” would probably consider the environmental benefits of this project.Hon Chris Tremain: What reports has the Minister seen in opposition to the Ruataniwha dam?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Well I think we can take it as read that the Greens are opposed to it. The interesting question is other people. I saw a news article from last month where a spokesperson from a particular organisation was quoted as saying that that organisation is against the dam and would not support the dam or indeed any future water storage schemes. Unfortunately there was another article from another spokesperson for that same organisation from October last year who is quoted as saying that the dam will potentially provide a big economic boost to the region. So it is little bit confusing. Of course that organisation is the Labour Party. But it is not the first time. Of course they opposed the Skycity convention centre but three of their members were actually in the Skycity box last weekend.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Supplementary question Eugenie Sage—[Interruption ] Members have had their bit of fun. I have now called Eugenie Sage for a supplementary question.Eugenie Sage: Does he consider—Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I made an error in my previous answer. Apparently the number is four.Mr SPEAKER: Order! If the member wants to seek to change an answer there is a more appropriate way to do it.Eugenie Sage: Does he consider that the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has received good advice on environmental and water-quality issues associated with the Ruataniwha scheme when the mayors of Napier and Hastings have said there is a risk around independent advice being provided to the council when the council has the same chief executive officer as the Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company which is promoting the dam scheme?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I would note for the member that the consents and the application for consents for that particular project are actually being called in and heard by the Environmental Protection Authority which means it will not be a matter for consideration by any of the councils in the region. It will actually be dealt with by the independent board of inquiry which is probably the best place for it to be.Eugenie Sage: I seek leave to table a letter from the Mayor of Napier City Council Barbara Arnott and the Mayor of Hastings District Council Lawrence Yule to the Chair of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Fenton Wilson about their issues with the—Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that letter. Is there any objection? There is objection.