Notified Consent Application - Len French Dam

Notification of application for resource consent WAR200095 under section 95(A) of the Resource Management Act 1991

Top right: Example of a natural depression wetland, filled with rushes, herbs, and sedges

Update and decision

Following pre-hearing discussions, the applicant made amendments to the application documents to address the concerns of submitters. By 13 July 2020, all submitters had withdrawn their right to be heard at a hearing.

As a hearing is not required to be held, the Manager, Environmental Regulation, has the delegated authority to grant or decline the application.

The application was granted on 14 July 2020. You can read the Section 42A Officers Report and appendices from the documents library.

Appeals

If you disagree with any part or all of a decision on a resource consent, you can appeal to the Environment Court within 15 working days of receiving the decision.

Application for resource consent WAR200095

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) has received an application for resource consent from Len French to construct a water storage reservoir to be used for irrigation purposes in Whareama, Wairarapa.

Water will be taken from the Whareama River, the reservoir will have a storage capacity of 740,000m3, will inundate a significant natural wetland as well as a tributary of the Whareama River from which water will be taken.

As a result of this, three wetland areas and approximately 2,500m of stream restoration are proposed as offset.

The application and all supporting information can be viewed on this page, or viewed during normal working hours at: GWRC Masterton office, Level 4, Departmental Building, 35-37 Chapel Street, Masterton.

Details:

Applicant: Len French

Address for service: WSP Opus, Level 9, Majestic Centre, 100 Willis Street, PO Box 12343, Wellington, Attention: Mathieu Marois; Email: mat.marois@wsp.com

Location: 1135 Blairlogie Langdale Road, Whareama

Map Reference: NZTM: 1855326.5462403

Proposal: To undertake earthworks and vegetation clearance to enable the construction of a water storage reservoir to be used for irrigation purposes. Water is to be taken via overland flow from an unnamed tributary of the Whareama River, as well as a supplementary take from the Whareama River when it is above median flow. The reservoir will have a total storage capacity of 740,000m3 will inundate a significant natural wetland as well as the tributary of the Whareama River from which water will be taken. As a result of this, three wetland areas and approximately 2,500m of stream restoration are proposed as offset.

Consents applied for:

[36479] Water permit: to take and use surface water from the Whareama River

[36480] Water permit: to dam the flow of an unnamed tributary of the Whareama River

[36481] Land use consent: to construct and maintain dam structures that will result in the inundation of a significant natural wetland and an intermittent stream

[36482] Land use consent: to undertake bulk earthworks exceeding 0.3ha in area

[36483] Discharge permit: to discharge contaminated stormwater from bulk earthworks into land where it may enter water

[36647] Land use consent: to restore a significant natural wetland

[36648] Land use consent: to place a fish passage aid in the bed of an unnamed tributary of the Whareama River.

Any questions?

Please address enquiries to the Environmental Helpdesk on 04 830 4255 or notifications@gw.govt.nz. The officer in charge of processing this application is Will Syben, 06 826 1513, Environmental Regulation, Greater Wellington Regional Council.