Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. I too stand in support of the Tasman District Council (Waimea Water Augmentation Scheme) Bill in its first reading here tonight. As we've heard from previous speakers the bill does seek to acquire a very small portion of public land—11 hectares in fact—in the Lee Valley and I'm absolutely delighted that this bill has the support of Labour and New Zealand First.This dam is not just so that more water can keep being drawn from local sources; it actually complements other measures which have been introduced over the past 17 years. We heard from the Hon Nathan Guy earlier that the need for this dam was highlighted back in 2001 in what has been termed the Big Dry". That was the most severe drought that the area had experienced in 60 years and those areas that were affected went from Nelson south to Richmond and then all the way west right to the coast including Golden Bay.The financial impact to horticulture and farmers was brutal during that drought and of course the damage to the river was significant. Throughout the first half of that year the land was so dry and it posed such an extreme fire risk that even the Department of Conservation closed all of its conservation tracks up there—all of the walking tracks—including the Abel Tasman Coast Track the Cable Bay Walkway and the Queen Charlotte Track. The residents in those areas had their water supply severely restricted. This is clearly not sustainable and in order to control water use some water takes have been reduced by as much as 50 percent already. But even with the current controls there will be times when we still won't have enough water up there to keep both the river flowing and businesses and communities supplied with water.Even though water restrictions have been required nearly every summer since the "Big Dry" in 2001 it's been the irrigators who have felt those impacts the most. But from November this year when all of the water takes will be limited if the river falls below the minimum flow level urban residents will also begin to experience more severe restrictions more frequently. They can expect about 50 days of restrictions on average every summer and in drier times that could be extended and full cease takes for some of those people on the Waimea Plains.Without the dam the region could lose up to $1 billion of GDP over the next 25 years but with the dam GDP could increase by about the same amount. I've spoken with one business in the Tasman District who supplies 60 percent of the apple trees to orchardists across New Zealand. Without the guaranteed supply of water that business will either have to retrench or relocate. The use of this 11 hectares for the purpose of the Waimea dam has already been through the Environment Court and approved as we've heard from Dr Nick Smith and all the resource consents are in place.The big winner from this dam is the Waimea River and it means that minimum flows can be maintained in the river by releasing water from the dam which in turn feeds the aquifers and the coastal springs and ensures the community's water supplies are protected into the future and that the recreational benefits are maintained for families and even the fisherman. It protects and enhances the Waimea River's natural ecosystems and it maintains the flow which will prevent the saltwater intrusion into the drinking-water supply. Knowing that a consistent and safe water supply will be available will give absolute confidence to those industries in Nelson and Tasman that currently employ around 3000 people.I too want to lend my support and acknowledgment to Mayor Richard Kempthorne and his councillors who have after many years approved this project. I also acknowledge the team of supporters who have courageously promoted this project over many years. I think we have light at the end of the tunnel. I have great pleasure in commending this bill to the House. Thank you."