Irrigation scheme gets the go-ahead

A RANGITATA River water harvest and storage scheme with "huge economic implications" for South Canterbury has been granted consent.

The proposal is to capture high flows for storage in a series of ponds to irrigate the dry Orari area.

The proposal, by Rangitata South Irrigation Limited, was put before a commission appointed by Timaru District Council and Canterbury Regional Council.

Rangitata South Irrigation chairman Ian Morten said the decision by commissioners was heartening. But as the process had taken 10 years so far, it was possible more complications may emerge along the way.

The decision was still open to appeal from other parties who had made submissions, and there were conditions and technical issues to be worked through, Mr Morten said.

The consent works within the boundaries of a conservation order which sets a minimum flow for the river.

Water harvesting is possible when flows exceed 110 cubic metres a second. Mr Morten said when the irrigation proposal started, the conservation order on the river was not yet in place.

"I'm pleased with it, pleased that we have got to this stage. It's been a long battle and it's taken a lot of people's work," he said.

When regulatory and technical hurdles were overcome, Mr Morten was hopeful building work would start promptly.

The proposal is for about 16 million cumecs of water to be stored in 280 hectares of ponds on land owned by Rangitata South Irrigation to be built near the Arundel Bridge.

The water would be mainly transported in existing stockwater races and also stored on 30 shareholders' farms.

About 12,000ha can be irrigated and the command area covers 30,000ha between the Rangitata and Orari rivers.

The scheme includes a purpose-built salmon spawning race.

Timaru District mayor Janie Annear said the scheme had huge economic implications for a drought-prone region.

"I'm really excited to see the commissioners have made the decision that should allow the go-ahead of the scheme. The irrigation of 12,000ha for our community is going to make a huge difference economically."

She said the Opuha Dam was an example of the benefits irrigation could deliver.

"There are benefits across-the-board when you use water in an innovative and sustainable way, and the Rangitata South scheme is an exciting opportunity for our district."

While Central South Island Fish and Game requested some conditions in submissions it accepted the conservation order did not preclude the scheme be developed.

Te Runaka O Arowhenua submitted that the Rakitata-Rangitata was of such cultural significance that a scheme of this size had unacceptable cultural impact.

There were concerns about the mixing of waters and deterioration of water quality.

Chairman of the commissioners, Brent Cowie, found the application broadly promoted the sustainable management of resources.

The only potential negative effect was that irrigation drainage may increase nitrate concentrations in shallow ground water.

The consent was granted with a term of 35 years and with 10 years for construction.

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