Central Plains Water applauds National promise

November 9, 2011

Media Release

Central Plains Water applauds National promise

News that the National Party will put aside up to $400 million from the Future Investment Fund for irrigation and water storage development has been warmly applauded by Central Plains Water.

Derek Crombie, general manager of Central Plains Water, commenting on today’s announcement, said that the move could not come at a better time for Central Plains Water.

“We are on the cusp of starting construction on the $400 million, 60,000ha, Central Plains Water scheme and announcements such as this mean that we can go forward with great confidence.

“We are currently reviewing the development options for the scheme. Among the critical success factors are the securing of funding and access to a reliable water source, two of the key drivers behind the National Party’s announcement,” he said.

It is likely that the Central Plains Water scheme will be staged with the demand for uptake being created initially around cluster groups in Te Pirita, Sheffield, Greendale and Darfield. The advantage of this scheme is that it allows reliability to be developed as the scheme progresses.

“Not only is today’s announcement a good one for the Canterbury farming sector, but also for Christchurch itself. The city’s economic prosperity lies in the agricultural sector with an estimated 70% of the city’s wealth directly and indirectly having its roots in the farm.

“Canterbury already has 350,000ha of irrigated land and we know we can cater for up to 800,000ha across the Canterbury region without too much difficulty. With a direct economic impact of between $3 - $5 billion, this is almost equivalent to the total exports through the city at present,” he said.

ENDS

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