No gov't submissions on polluting dam project

This morning Radio New Zealand was obsessed with the rich man's sport, the America's Cup, so that this very important item well and truly took back seat.

This is a government that is cutting through democratic process to ensure the people of NZ have no say in a decision that pushes through development at the price of the environment and water quality.

Listen to Radio NZ's Hawkes Bay correspondent who is doing his job well and speaking truth to power.

Why does RNZ not give time to the Labour Party's criticism?

In the meanwhile the Supreme Court has ruled that climate change cannot be taken into account in ruling on consents for mining and other development.

Meanwhile the Hawkes Bay Herald, owned by Fairfax Media carries the headline - 

DoC's decision to not submit dam report followed 'standard processes'

Ministry acknowledges dam concerns

The Ministry for Primary Industries has revealed it does have concerns about the Ruataniwha Dam in Hawke's Bay, despite not mentioning them in its submission to the Board of Inquiry considering the project

Radio NZ,

26 September, 2013

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A leaked Department of Conservation draft submission, which was not submitted, says the ministry shares concerns the dam project could make the Tukituki River toxic and may not be economic.

The Labour Party says the concerns were considerably watered down in the ministry's final submission and it did a 180-degree turn on the economic impacts.

The party says it raises questions of political interference.

The ministry, which co-funded the dam's feasibility study, has issued a statement saying the water project proposal provides an opportunity for economic, environmental and social benefits.

However, it also says it is seeking clarity around water management issues.

The ministry says while it does have concerns about water quality, its minister did not tell it what to submit.

Just two government ministries - the Ministry for Primary Industries and DoC - made submissions on the water storage project, despite ministers classifying it as a project of national significance.

The Ministry for the Environment did not submit, even though Conservation Minister Nick Smith said it has a responsibility for water quality in the country's rivers.

The Treasury did not submit any economic analysis and Te Puni Kokiri did not offer a submission, despite widespread Maori concerns about the dam project.