There are no consents for the damming, taking or using water from the Waiapu Catchment.
Shingle extraction consents for roading gravel are issued for approximately 12 sites. These consents are generally held by road authorities or by forestry companies.
There is one mini hydro-power station that is subject of consent application and is likely to be operating from 2012. This development is on a minor tributary of the Waitahia River which is itself a tributary of the Waiapu.
Gisborne District Council does not have a water plan that would normally regulate allocation of water. As the water resource is not under any pressure and because there is no foreseeable demand for uses requiring water taken from the Waiapu, the council has not seen a need for a water plan. The national focus on freshwater policy is determining that a water plan is to be developed. This will be guided by the Gisborne Freshwater Advisory Group and is likely to be completed by 2016.
The proposed water plan will provide a process for considering all values of water – covering its cultural, recreational, ecological, environmental, amenity and commercial values.
River uses and values for the Waiapu and its tributaries will be considered through a process developed by the Freshwater Advisory Group.