Already, the Waimate District Council has a liaison committee meeting Meridian to ensure it gets maximum benefit from the north bank tunnel concept power scheme, estimated to cost almost $1 billion.
Waimate Mayor John Coles yesterday welcomed the Environment Court's interim decision to grant preliminary resource consents for water for the project, subject to conditions.
However, he also emphasised there was a long way to go, including Meridian getting land use consents from his council to build and operate the scheme before decid-ing whether to build it.
Meridian estimated at least $110 million of the construction cost would be spent directly in the Waimate and Waitaki districts over the seven years it would take to build the scheme.
The multiplier flow-on effect to local economies would be worth up to $350 million over the seven years.
It would add $4.5 million a year to local economies once it was generating electricity.
Meridian is also proposing additional benefits, including spending $1 million on a recreation development plan for the lower Waitaki River and providing $250,000 a year, inflation-adjusted for the 35 year duration of its consents, to a new charitable trust to assist communities along the lower Waitaki.
"There is huge economic potential for us," Mr Coles said.
"We will be doing everything we can to maximise those benefits for our district."
The council's liaison committee was exploring a wide range of issues with Meridian, including upgrading infrastructure, accommodation for contractors' crews and availability of industrial land for contractors.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said the scheme also had to benefit his district.
Waitaki does not have a formal liaison committee, but has had and would continue to have discussions with Meridian.
"That way we can stay in touch and ensure there are benefits to both parties if the scheme is built," he said.
