Plea to preserve 'paradise'

A Twizel family fears an irrigation proposal will spoil their "untouched paradise".

 The Upper Waitaki water consents process involves more than 30 applicants and 27,000 hectares of the Mackenzie Basin.
 
An independent commission, overseen by Environment Canterbury, has been hearing submissions in Christchurch since September 13, but yesterday two parties – one in favour, one against – spoke to their submissions in Twizel.
 
The Blue family have opposed neighbouring Southdown Holdings Ltd to take water from the upper Waitaki catchment, namely Lake Ohau , expressing concerns about the scheme's effects on the surrounding environment.
 
Donald Blue, Marylou Blue, Jennifer Howey, Susan Simpson and Margaret Blue, spoke to the submission.
 
The submission, more than 30 pages long, included photographs and poetry, as well as recollections of family holidays in the area.
 
"The family members of our Blue Family Trust regard with deep respect and true affection and love our property on the edge of Lake Ohau. We ask you to keep it this way," Marylou Blue said.
 
She said although Southdown Holdings Ltd submission was only a very small part of the irrigation scheme, Lake Ohau was "one of the last untouched, natural and pristine lakes in the area".
 
Mrs Blue said they were worried about the risk of contamination to the lake.
 
"The irrigation systems have the ability to be used to include fertiliser and effluent," she said.
 
"Any back flow of this into the lake, even accidental, would be unacceptable and we recommend a condition excluding the use of fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides or effluent within the system.
 
"One-way valves are renowned for failure and require regular servicing, still with a risk of backflow, and are not a sufficient guarantee."
 
Speaking in favour, retired agricultural scientist Dr David Scott said the consents were needed to increase production in the Mackenzie. It was unlikely many of the new applications would be for dairying.
 
"I believe the principal use of irrigation in the Mackenzie Basin is likely to be for special purpose pastures," he said.
 
"While there is already some dairying using irrigation [in the Mackenzie], the need to supply large quantities of conserved feed for the winter no-growth period is likely to be a severe restraint."
 
The hearings on the Upper Waitaki consents finish in January.
 
Response to the consent applications has been divided. Organisations such as Department of Conservation and Forest and Bird have expressed concern about the effects widescale irrigation may have on the Mackenzie Basin, but many applicants have said the consents will ensure they remain economically viable.

- © Fairfax NZ News