Waimea Dam back on the table

12:51 pm on 7 September 2018

A controversial dam recently voted down by the Tasman District Council is back on the table, after new costing information.

Farmers and growers argue that a dam will help solve increasing water shortages in rural Tasman.

Part of the Tasman area that could be affected by the Waimea Dam. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

The council has announced a revised funding proposal for the $100 million Waimea Community Dam that it says will reduce the cost, and risk, to ratepayers.

Last month councillors voted by a narrow margin to abandon the project, over concerns about the ballooning price.

Today they voted 9-5 to reverse the decision.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne said the joint venture partner Waimea Irrigators, working with investors and the government, had proposed a revised funding model.

Mr Kempthorne said it meant irrigators would cover the bulk of the recently announced price increase.

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