increase font size
An irrigation scheme, planned for Hawarden in North Canterbury, has the potential to boost the region’s economy say developers.
The Waitohi Irrigation Scheme run by the Hurunui Water Project (HWP) aims to contribute $100 million to region during the initial stage of development with more to follow.
HWP chief executive Alex Adams says the scheme is a sound future model for sustainable water and agricultural development. It has involved robust consultation and open negotiation with surrounding farmers to help address the challenges faced in North Canterbury.
“Our 190 farmer shareholders have invested $10 million developing the scheme and when Stage One becomes a reality, after the nine consents that have been granted become unencumbered, it will be a major contribution to the local economy,” say Adams.
“The original economic evaluation for the full sized scheme of 58,500 hectares was forecast to boost the district economy by $480 million and result in an additional 3,400 jobs in the region.”
“The initial scheme size will be smaller, closer to 20% of that size but still represents a $100 million boost to the regional economy and 680 jobs. This will help relieve the district of the extraordinary challenges and threats it faces,” he says.
The nine resource consents given to HWP to take, store and use water in the Hurunui District are in the final stages of the Environment Court process after two appeals were successfully mediated and placed before the court in February this year.
“The company has invested heavily in a consultative approach and the success of that process can be evidenced in that there were no appeals of an environmental nature to the scheme,” says Adams.
The scheme is now in the final stages of gaining consents to kick-start Stage One. While HWP is uncertain when its consents will finally become unencumbered, they are delighted to be one step closer to Stage One given the 13-year development journey, including the changing regulatory and legislative environment.
The HWP say the project will ultimately provide a solution for the North Canterbury agricultural sector and community, which has been threatened with the compounding impact of drought and lower dairy returns.
“Ultimately though when the irrigation scheme actually gets going it will be a significant contribution to the local economy and address some of the challenges being faced by a resilient but weary North Canterbury farming and local community,” he says.
Most vineyards require irrigation at some point. Deciding when and how much is required is a powerful management tool that directly affects fruit production, disease pressure, and even operational passes.
"Why follow when you can lead?" is the motto of Canterbury veggie grower Lance Roper.
Hundreds of water samples taken from Ōtūwharekai Ashburton Lakes and streams over the past year confirm that water quality remains a concern, according to Environment Canterbury.
A wetter than usual irrigation season has hindered data collection efforts for Canterbury dairy grazers Gary and Penny Robinson.
The ability to manage an irrigation system depends on the percentage of water pumped that becomes available for plants to use, according to Watermetrics.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
