Two major irrigation schemes in Canterbury saw significant developments last week.

Hurunui Water Project (HWP) announced it has placed its resource consent application for water takes to irrigate 42,000ha of North Canterbury temporarily on hold.

Meanwhile, commissioner hearings on the 60,000ha Central Plains Water Scheme reconvened.

HWP said its move is to give the Canterbury Water Management Strategy a change to address water storage in the catchment, as predicted in Rural News’ last issue.

‘It has become clear to us that a collaborative process is preferred and that compromises need to be offered,’ says project manager Amanda Loeffen.

HWP is encouraging other parties pursuing legal processes which affect the strategy to do the same.

‘We need others to show leadership and to come on board to make the strategy work…

‘Without buy-in from all the competing parties, the strategy won’t get off the ground and the community will face further legal processes, escalating costs and delays to resolve the question of where water can be stored.’

Meanwhile, commissioners reconvened to hear evidence as to the viability and impact of a Central Plains Water Scheme without the Waianiwaniwa dam.

The week opened with expert witnesses showing the economic impact of the scheme would be halved without the dam but nonetheless the $1-1.3 billion annual boost to GDP remains significant and it should still be viable (Rural News, October 4).

Opponents’ evidence followed, including predictions of increased nitrate and other contamination of Lake Ellesmere, lowland streams, and groundwater in the region.

However, as NIWA’s Ned Norton points out in a report commissioned by the commissioners on the impact of the scheme, those downsides need to considered in conjunction with gains in trout habitat, an environmental fund and farm-management plans.

The hearings were expected to conclude late last week with commissioners retiring to deliberate on this latest round of evidence in the decade long battle to develop the scheme.