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Tukituki choices

Public consultation on the options for the Tukituki are continuing this month with a breakfast meeting at 1024 Pakowhai Road on September 27^th, aimed at exploring the  economic opportunities for the region’s businesses – with or without the Ruataniwha Water Storage Project. Speakers include farmer Sam Robinson and BNZ head of advisory Duncan Southwell , introduced by the Regional Council’s Andrew Newman.

So what are the economic opportunities for the region? And what would it mean for the local economy if the dam is not progressed?

Silver Fern Farms livestock performance manager Jeremy Absolom says there is no doubt that Hawke’s Bay is an important food producing region, with an opportunity to build and improve capability to compete and produce food and beverages, for rapidly changing world markets.

“Demand for our products is growing but equally is the demand on us to produce more, from less.

“Failure to do anything will be a major setback for agri-business in the region but also for our ability as a region to rationally tackle the big issues when taking on big opportunities.”

Absolom says while New Zealand is fortunate with its quantity of water, it will be our ability to better manage it, in a sustainable manner, that will make all the difference. However he says, projects of this size and potential don’t come along very often, in this region or any other, and any change like this will require compromise from all parties.

“It is a great test for central and local government leadership to find the best way to reconcile all the reference groups’ demands and find the optimal outcome.

“Silver Fern Farms operates in most regions around the country and it seems that, from our perspective, Andrew Newman and his team at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are taking a very progressive approach to building support and consensus amongst all the different reference groups from urban and rural users to recreational and business interests along with central government.”

If a decision is made to go ahead with the water project, economic advantages for the region will include the attraction and retention of the best people to work here.

“We are certainly supportive of projects of this nature that will significantly improve the productivity of the region and reliability of that production in a sustainable manner for our sheep, beef and dairy farmer suppliers and shareholders.

“That of course is important for all our employees and their families in the region too.

“Our people and partners strive to consistently supply the highest quality branded meat products and brands to our customers and consumers here in New Zealand and around the world, and reliability of water supply is critical for that.

“Everyone knows that water, and in particular the consistency and quality of that supply is vital to both current and future agri-businesses, across the supply chain.”

Tukituki choices – options for business.

27^th September, 7.30am-9am

1024 Pakowhai Road

Register: www.hawkesbaychamber.co.nz

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