11. Irrigation and Water Storage—Waimea Community DamALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister for Primary IndustriesIrrigation and Water Storage—Waimea Community Dam11. ALASTAIR SCOTT (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister for Primary Industries: What reports has he received on the economic and environmental benefits of the Waimea Community Dam?Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister for Primary Industries): I have received a report that shows that the Waimea Community Dam near Nelson would deliver major economic and environmental benefits. The dam would enable unirrigated pasture to be converted to higher value crops like apples and improve the overall water quality. The report shows that building a dam would more than double the average annual catchment profit. Converting from pasture to apples means that nitrogen leaching would be lower. Of course this is only achievable with a reliable source of water. A dam would also safeguard minimum flows in the Waimea River recharge aquifers provide water for municipal supplies and improve water quality for recreational use.Alastair Scott: What potential challenges does the Waimea Community Dam face in getting up and running?Hon NATHAN GUY: That is a very good question. Two potential scenarios would impact the viability of this scheme. The first would be the removal of Crown support for the scheme. Like many other community projects with wide-ranging benefits there is a role for Government support to help these schemes get up and running. The second scenario would be a water tax for the scheme. This scenario of course raises many questions—questions like whether residents would have to pay the charge given that their water would come from a water storage project—Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I was hoping this question would find some answer that was relevant but now it is speculation and seeing as it is in the Tasman electorate and not the Wairarapa it is also compounded by going on for far too long.Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. It is a legitimate question; I ruled it in order and the Minister can continue his answer.Hon NATHAN GUY: A couple of other questions: would this scheme even be viable with an additional tax—[Interruption] Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister's job is to answer questions not to ask questions. If he has something to continue to answer the question that is fine. Is there a further supplementary question? I will give the member the chance to wrap up. Hon NATHAN GUY: I would like to carry on. Another important point to conclude this question is that a recent report estimated that the economic cost to the Nelson-Tasman region of not building a dam would be more than $1 billion over 25 years.Maureen Pugh: Is the Waimea Community Dam unique compared with other proposed schemes across the country?Hon NATHAN GUY: No I do not consider that it is too dissimilar to many other schemes particularly when you bear in mind that it is about economics it is about the environmental gains and it is about the social gains as well with water being supplied to town municipal supplies. I would say that agreeing to support one scheme in the fine print of a policy but not other schemes would be a major inconsistency based on very flimsy principles. This kind of position would really highlight a policy for what it is. It is ill-thought-out ill-conceived and a blatant attack on farmers who ultimately may transfer to growing apples. I seek leave to table a detailed policy which has not publicly been released yet that confirms that the Waimea Community Dam will proceed under a Labour Government.Mr SPEAKER: Order! No there is no need for me to put that leave to the House.Hon Damien O'Connor: I seek leave to table a report on the Waimea dam that shows that it will cost 59c per cubic metre of water.Mr SPEAKER: I just need to know the source of that document.Hon Damien O'Connor: The document is a commerce report. Mr SPEAKER: By?Hon Damien O'Connor: By a Peter Fraser. Mr SPEAKER: And is it already in the public arena?Hon Damien O'Connor: It has been commissioned for an individual. It is in the public arena but—Mr SPEAKER: Then I do not need to put the leave. [Interruption] Order! I realise it is getting very close to election time but I need a bit more order please.