Meridian Welcomes Draft Decision to Ease Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage Access
Meridian Energy says it welcomes the Fast-Track Panel's draft decision proposing the easing of access restrictions on Lake Pūkaki hydro storage for a three-year period.
It's an open secret that it's easier to grease palms than it is to risk getting tied up for years by 'greenmail' demands from rent seekers.
In this case, Meridian agreed to pay, over 35 years, $73.5m to DoC, $2.8m to Central South Island Fish & Game, and an estimated, 'confidential' $104m to Ngai Tahu.
This old mutt reckons this is the tip of the iceberg - the consent process is buggered and is killing development.
The coming overhaul can't come soon enough.
