The Ruataniwha water storage and irrigation scheme proposed for central Hawke's Bay has taken another step in the planning process.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council's investment company has applied to the Environmental Protection Authority asking it to hear 17 consent applications for the scheme.
The council is also asking the Environment and Conservation ministers to participate in the decision-making process by calling in a proposed regional plan change relating to the project.
The EPA will make a recommendation to the ministers on whether the scheme should be recognised as nationally significant, with the options of having the applications heard by a Board of Inquiry, the Environment Court or by the regional council.
The scheme is currently estimated to cost $260 million. It includes a large dam and reservoir on the Makaroro River, supplying water to about 25,000 hectares of farmland.
