On 19 February, the PMU facilitated a workshop at the USP Centre to review the plans for the Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai Project with Government representatives and environmental NGOs.
The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss and debate the four key work streams for the project - environmental, engineering, engagement and finance. Wide representation by Government authorities and interest groups helped ensure the project objectives and process were thoroughly tested. We captured many useful suggestions and translated this into actions through a set of recommendations to MFEM.
The sequence of key steps required for the project business case and Government decision on a preferred option were particularly relevant. Once approved, the PMU will share this with the public in our upcoming meetings.
We also discussed the work needed to progress an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the preferred option, along with issues of concern for assessment by environment NGOs. Overall, the workshop helped clarify next steps for the project, and it was especially pleasing to have a lot of constructive debate, and useful opportunities identified.
