IrrigationNZ confident Ruataniwha will proceed

13 April 2016 – for immediate release

IrrigationNZ confident Ruataniwha will proceed

IrrigationNZ today said it was confident that Ruataniwha would go ahead and disputed claims aired on RadioNZ that costs for the project have risen by 50 percent.

“What isn’t clear in this reporting is there are two distinct parts to this project. One is the cost of building the dam and the infrastructure of piping water to the farm gate, the other is the cost of developing on-farm irrigation systems,” said IrrigationNZ chairwoman Nicky Hyslop.

“A year on yes, there is an increase to building the dam - $275 to $330 million, and the reality is, the more time that goes by the more it will cost. There will never be a cheaper time to build than today.

“New modelling shows us there is a small, six percent increase in water charges to farmers. Hawke’s Bay farmers such as Hugh Ritchie still absolutely consider this to be a viable and viable opportunity. The range of land use opportunities are diverse and include, apples, grapes, cropping, dairy, sheep and beef finishing, and vegetables.

“Farmer uptake will be based on good information. HBRIC has a responsibility to bring all aspects to the table which it is doing. Signing up to the scheme is a big decision for farmers and intergenerational. This is not a step to take lightly and it is common for farmers to sign up towards the end of the process. We have seen this with many other schemes around the country.

“It is frustrating to hear regional councillors disputing the need for this project in the next breath admitting the Hawke’s Bay needs water storage. We know small on-farm water storage is more expensive and has real limitations.

“This is a project that our children and grandchildren will thank us for. As extreme weather patterns become the norm and drought starves our communities of potential we must think big and look to the future. It is not useful for us to get tied up in the pettiness of up-coming local elections and the positioning that goes with this.

“There are multiple benefits to large water storage projects and the community could do with a reminder at this stage these are long-term economic, environmental and social benefits that will see Hawke’s Bay having a resilient, sustainable and bright future.

“Things are progressing with strong momentum. This is very positive for the Hawke’s Bay region which suffers annually from extreme dry spells affecting agriculture and impacting on local economies and communities.

“The surety of water supply from Ruataniwha will put a stop to insecurity that comes with drought, and help turn Waipukurau into the Oamaru of the north,” says Mrs Hyslop.

ends

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