17 Jul 2019

Turf turned on the Waimea Dam

From First Up, 5:37 am on 17 July 2019

The ceremonial sod of turf has been turned on the much awaited, and much maligned, 105 million dollar Waimea Community Dam south of Nelson. Supporters argue it's needed to soften the blow of increasing drought in the region, and to support a growing population. But opponents remain worried about rates increases, and the debt burden for generations to come. The dam in the Lee Valley has been almost 20 years in the making, and about half the cost to build it is being covered by farmers and growers. A company, Waimea Water Limited is in charge of construction. Chief executive Mike Scott told our reporter Tracy Neal on site yesterday the job pulled him away from a career in the international oil and gas industry, and he couldn't be happier.