Deal near on scheme

Ormond Aquaculture and New Zealand Clearwater Crayfish are close to reaching an agreement with TrustPower and may pull out of next month's Environment Court hearing.

If agreement was reached the related companies – which farm salmon then raise freshwater crayfish downstream from the fish farm – would withdraw as submitters from the Environment Court hearing to begin next week.

NZ Clearwater Crayfish owner David Smythe and Ormond Aquaculture owner Peter Wilhelmus said what was being drawn up was not a "deal" involving cash changing hands. The agreement "would protect not only our business but also the waterway for ourselves and other farmers," said Mr Wilhelmus.

In September the Department of Conservation announced it would no longer give evidence at an Environment Court hearing appealing the resource consent for TrustPower's proposed hydro scheme.

In return, TrustPower would fund a $3 million management plan to protect black-fronted terns in the Wairau River and reduce river drainage during the key nesting season for the bird.

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