Water allocation, usage tops hort sector concerns
Water allocation and storage has been a hot topic of discussion during HortNZ’s grower meetings held recently around the country.
Engineers Tonkin and Taylor will, over the next ten months, study water availability, demand, storage sites, distribution options and potential environmental effects, says the Leadership Group of the Wairarapa Water Use Project. The Leadership Group represents district and regional councils, iwi, environmental, agricultural and economic interests.
Investment options will also be assessed so that in September 2012 a short list of potential schemes can be developed for consideration by the group.
“The current work builds on previous Wairarapa studies carried out over the last decade, all of which have been reviewed,” says group chair Fran Wilde [OF WHERE?].
“The project is now looking at all potential water uses and opportunities, not just irrigation. A wide range of storage options are available and we have taken off the table any prospect of using our four main rivers (Ruamahanga, Waingawa, Waiohine, Tauherenikau).
“ The priority however is to identify locations where water can be stored off-river in natural valleys with on-river storage possible for smaller tributaries. Rivers will also be considered as part of the water distribution network but only where environmental effects are positive.”
Last month a pilot study east of Carterton found that 90% of farmers on non-irrigated land would like to irrigate. Indicative results showed that when existing irrigators were added, the farmers wanted to irrigate about half of the total land area.
The results of this pilot will be compared with results of a theoretical demand assessment by Landcare Research for the whole Wairarapa valley.
Environmental assessments will identify soils not suitable for irrigation, and potential storage schemes and distribution methods will be assessed for environmental impacts and efficiency.
The potential for high-value land uses such as horticulture or specialist crops, which might also attract processing facilities, will be investigated as well as liaising with local councils on opportunities for urban and recreational water use.
Last week representatives of 13 interested organisations met with the project team to consider how they would like to be involved in the project. Terms of reference for the group will be confirmed in the New Year and will include information sharing, jointly addressing issues and providing feedback and ideas.
Greater Wellington Regional Council earlier this year allocated $750,000 to assist project investigations. An application for funding from central government’s Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF) is planned next year. The fund provides $35 million nationally over five years to unlock the economic growth potential of primary sectors by developing more efficient and effective water infrastructure.
