Coleridge Hydro-electric Power Scheme Reconsenting Project

Project summary

The project seeks approvals to enable the ongoing operation and maintenance of the existing Coleridge Hydro-electric Power Scheme (HEPS), located around Lake Coleridge in the Selwyn District, Canterbury.
 
The scheme utilises Lake Coleridge and associated water diversion, storage and conveyance infrastructure to generate electricity, including water takes and diversions from the Wilberforce, Harper and Acheron Rivers, canals, tunnels, penstocks, a power station, and a tailrace discharging to the Rakaia River. The project seeks approvals to enable the continued operation and maintenance of this existing infrastructure and any associated works and activities required for the operation and maintenance of the scheme.
 
The applicant seeks the following approvals, subject to further investigations prior to any substantive application:

• resource consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) as described in section 42(4)(a) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (the Act)
• concessions under the Conservation Act 1987 as described in section 42(4)(e) of the Act
• wildlife approvals under the Wildlife Act 1953 as described in section 42(4)(h) of the Act
• an approval, a dispensation, or an authorisation that would otherwise be applied for in respect of a complex freshwater fisheries activity under the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983 or the Conservation Act 1987 as described in section 42(4)(j) of the Act.

Project location

The project area is located at and around Lake Coleridge, which is within the Rakaia River catchment, in the Selwyn District of the Canterbury Region. Lake Coleridge is located approximately 100 kilometres west of Christchurch City.

Project referral

The Minister for Infrastructure referred the project to the Fast-track on 16 October 2026. The application was lodged on 20 August 2026.

Notice of decisions on application for referral of the Coleridge Hydro-electric Power Scheme Reconsenting project (PDF, 283 KB)