Irrigators see red over Green policy
IrrigationNZ chairperson Nicky Hyslop says Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty has overlooked the environmental benefits of the proposed Waimea Community Dam.
IrrigationNZ and Federated Farmers will jointly host an interactive evening meeting to discuss uptake of Ruataniwha water on Tuesday, November 4 at the Waipawa Municipal Theatre.
"We have seen how water storage and irrigation investment in other dry parts of the country has benefitted local communities – like in South Canterbury through the Opuha Scheme, and the same could be the case here," says IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis.
"Getting on board the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme now will not only future-proof your farming operation, but will also benefit future generations in Hawkes' Bay."
Presenters at the November 4 event includes two farmers from the North Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) scheme, who will detail the transformation of their community following irrigation development, as well as local dam advocates Hugh Ritchie and Richard Dakins.
Curtis says IrrigationNZ and Federated Farmers had come together to host the event because both organisations believe rumours and incorrect perceptions are hampering the project's progress.
"Growers in this region need to hear directly from their counterparts in other parts of New Zealand to really understand what they are being offered," says Curtis." To help with this, we're bringing up speakers from the North Otago Irrigation scheme near Oamaru – a modern piped scheme with a water price comparable to Ruataniwha. These farmers can outline how they make the numbers work and why irrigation stacks up for them financially. It's vital that local growers and farmers come along and ask the questions they need answered from those who have been there."
Curtis says they want to instil a sense of urgency in the local community to get behind the scheme. This opportunity is not going to come around again anytime soon. "It really is now or never for Ruataniwha and both IrrigationNZ and Federated Farmers believe the economics stack up."
"Local farmers and growers have got a limited window to make this fly and we will have experienced irrigating farmers at the meeting to help you work through your issues so take advantage of their expertise and come along and discuss the options."
