6 | Range of benefits Prime Minister Christoper Luxon speaks at the opening of the Waimea dam. T T from page 4 Waimea Water Dam - Tasman Council REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “Unlike many other New Zealand regions we are now lucky to have abundant water at the peak of summer. We are the envy of many other regions throughout the country who are still struggling to progress similar projects. “The dam will be just as important in 100 years and more, long after the people have been forgotten. This long, hot and dry summer could have been dire for the region if it was not for the dam. It feels fantastic to know we will get through this summer and those in the future, for the benefit of all.” A public/private partnership between the TDC and Waimea Irrigators Ltd (WIL), the project delivers a diverse range of benefits including water security for the region and better river health and water quality for people, plants, fish and animals. The dam is also expected to strengthen the local economy, delivering an estimated $600- $900 million to the Nelson Tasman region in the first 25 years, through the success of primary industries and the subsequent growth of associated secondary and tertiary industries. At 53 metres high, 220 metres long and six metres wide at the crest, the dam is a concrete faced rock-filled embankment, and has been designed to the latest and highest international design standards under New Zealand and International Dam Safety Guidelines. “This project is a significant scale for our region, and even our country,” says Mike. “The embankment is constructed of nearly 500,000 cubic metres of rock, and has close to 30,000m3 of concrete and more than 2,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel.” The reservoir sits behind the dam and goes up the Lee Valley, holding enough water to cover a one in fifty-year drought. During dry periods, the dam’s stored water is released to maintain even flows in the Lee and lower Waimea rivers. The flowing rivers top up the Waimea aquifers to maintain water levels for extraction by horticultural and domestic water wells, reduce the risk of saltwater intrusion from the coast and maintain a healthy river habitat for plants and animals. In February 2023, WWL forecast a $198.2M budget to finish the dam, which Mike says remains the budget estimate. “The project has cost $98 million more than initially budgeted due to the encountered geology, the mechanical works and greater engineering, project and contract management costs. “There are a number of things that make the project remarkable, beyond its sheer scale. Firstly, a small team came together to build New Zealand’s first large dam in more than a generation. “Secondly, it’s TDC and WIL getting together and coming up with a joint solution to their respective water needs, for the greater good of the economy and environment. “Thirdly, while many regions in New Zealand are facing a lack of water storage and security, particularly in the face of climate change, TDC had the courage to execute its strategy and build the dam, which is a massive project for a small region, providing water security for generations to come. New Zealand is two islands with lots of mountains and weather, but over 97% of our water just goes out to sea. “Water is New Zealand’s competitive advantage and our region will now be able to use it to support and grow our local economy and environment.” www.rockcontrol.co.nz 0800 793 205 Ground Anchoring & Drilling Grouting & Concreting Shotcrete Application Rope & Remote Access Drilling & Blasting Rockfall Management Retaining Structures “We specialise in picking up and moving almost anything to almost anywhere in the top of the South Island.” www.liftnshift.co.nz 24 Venice Place, Stoke, Nelson 03 547 0670 (24 Hours) office.liftnshift@gmail.com
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