The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has failed to present alternative options to its controversial plan for a dam, MP for Ikaroa-Rawhiti Meka Whaitiri says.
The Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme would create a reservoir in the upper Makaroro River.
A draft Department of Conservation submission on the project, seen by Radio New Zealand, says the proposal is a risky and untested approach to water management which could kill the rivers involved.
Ms Whaitiri, who is also Labour's spokesperson on water issues, says the public is not being told about what might work as an alternative to a dam.
Water storage is an issue and more jobs are needed in the region, but there appears to be only one water management solution on the table, she says.
