IAF Grant For Manuherikia Catchment Strategic Water Study

23 July 2012

The Government is backing a search for new sources and ways to improve management of water for the Manuherikia Catchment in Central Otago.

A grant of $233,000 from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF) is being made to the Central Otago District Council, which is acting on behalf of the Manuherikia Catchment Water Strategy Group (MCWSG).

The Manuherikia Catchment, comprising the Manuherikia and Ida Valleys, has a semi-arid climate and the current water resources are fully allocated.

Water users in the catchment face several challenges in the near future:

The expiry of mining rights in 2021 which are the current basis of water consenting; Changing national and regional requirements around water quality; The need for a significant upgrade to the Falls Dam for safety and compliance.

The IAF funding will contribute to a pre-feasibility study of five options for increasing water availability in the Catchment. This will contribute to a catchment-wide strategy that will identify the most cost-effective, efficient and sustainable options for water users.

The other parties contributing funding are Otago Regional Council, the catchment irrigation companies and private water right holders. The total value of the pre-feasibility project is $425,000. Central Otago District Council is providing project management support for the project.

Kevin Steel, Manager of the IAF for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), says this project is a fine example of a community being proactive about dealing with future water management challenges. “They are running a good process, taking a catchment-wide approach and involving a diverse range of community groups so a wide range of priorities are considered in the development of the strategy.”

Tony Lepper, Mayor of Central Otago District Council sees the outcomes of this project contributing to a strong rural sector “that complements the district’s economy as well as maintaining or improving the state of the Manuherikia Catchment”.

Allan Kane, chairman of the MCWSG says, “The support provided by central and local government allows us to carry out a comprehensive approach, that will provide the foundation of future development withn the Catchment.”

ABOUT THE IRRIGATION ACCELERATION FUND

The Irrigation Acceleration Fund provides for $35 million over five years to support the development of smart irrigation infrastructure proposals to the investment-ready prospectus stage.

The Fund’s primary focus is on the development of rural water infrastructure proposals that are consistent with regionally agreed strategies for the sustainable use and management of water.

To be eligible for IAF support, projects must demonstrate high standards of community consultation, strong commercial disciplines and a commitment to science and engineering investigations that meet good industry practice. Projects also need to demonstrate a commitment to requiring irrigators to achieve high standards of environmental performance and water use efficiency.

ENDS

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