Meridian Energy Ltd still has hurdles to clear before it can pass the first stage in getting water from the lower Waitaki River for a new $900 million power scheme.
Yesterday, Environment Canterbury (ECan) released an interim decision granting four consents Meridian needs for its North Bank tunnel concept (NBTC) power scheme.
However, the granting of the consents is subject to the hearing panel's three commissioners being satisfied with some aspects of the conditions Meridian proposed during the hearings.
The commissioners have compiled four pages of conditions it has questioned, wants clarified or changed, which will be done at a reconvened hearing in Christchurch on December 16 and 17.
Meridian, along with other interested parties, will be represented at the hearing which will be strictly restricted to dealing with matters related to the conditions.
The commissioners warned it would not be an opportunity for any party, including Meridian, to address any other substantive issues upon which findings had already been made.
In their 209-page decision, the commissioners cover the evidence that was raised by more than 400 submitters, more than 200 of whom appeared before them at the hearings.
The evidence is discussed, then the commissioners give their findings on what was presented.
That includes Meridian not complying in two respects with the Waitaki catchment water allocation regional plan which was prepared by a government-appointed board in 2005.
Meridian wanted minimum monthly flows of 110 cumecs-150 cumecs in the lower Waitaki River between the Waitaki dam and the NBTC outfall at Stonewall, near Ikawai.
The plan set a minimum flow of 150 cumecs between the dam and the sea.
Meridian also proposed four flushing flows a year for the river.
The plan set seven flushing flows.
Another issue was the length of time Meridian sought for its consents.
It wanted 15 years in which to exercise the consents, but some submitters argued this would lock up the water for too long and prevent others using it for hydro-electricity generation.
The commissioners have not set a time on the consents and have sought further advice from Meridian - "remembering that we have a reluctance to provide such a long period of time", they said.
Another issue which arose was the potential effect on existing users of water, particularly irrigators who, at present, have virtually 100% reliability in supply.
The commissioners said Meridian had an obligation to make good any adverse effects the scheme would have on other water users below Black Point.
