A Hawke's Bay group seeking more transparency about the Ruataniwha water storage scheme has organised a public meeting tonight to provide what it says is more balance in the debate.
The proposed Ruataniwha dam site. Photo: SUPPLIED
Consents for the development of the Ruataniwha dam were granted to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, with strict conditions, but they are currently under appeal by environment groups.
The Transparent Hawke's Bay group's chairperson Pauline Elliott said previous meetings have included spin and pressure for farmers and residents.
She said the group was not anti the dam but wanted to access clear information on the finance and economical aspects of the scheme.
"I think the feeling is that 80 million dollars of rate payers money has been committed to this scheme and there is an increasing feeling that, from the public, that they don't really understand what the scheme is, who benefits and who pays."
"And I think it's gone largely under the radar for some time, now people are really starting to talk about it and ask questions," said Ms Elliott.