Large amounts of water are crucial to New Zealand’s farming future, yet over the years we have failed to invest in the vital dams and irrigation infrastructure.

Some parts of the country – like the east coasts of the North and South islands – are regularly hit by droughts. This year, however, it’s Northland and Central Otago that are suffering.

The Government, Federated Farmers and farmers around the country all agree water storage is urgently needed, yet Rural News has found that only two regional councils have made headway towards getting the infrastructure in place.

Tasman District Council (TDC) is due to make a community presentation on the proposed Lee Dam, which will provide water for the Waimea Plain, on February 8.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) has decided to begin a water storage feasibility study.

TDC resource scientist Joseph Thomas says his council’s project is about three years ahead of where the HBRC is at.

The site, design and costing of the dam have been confirmed. The next stage is to set up a governance structure. Thomas says hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to get the project to its latest stage.

Waimea Water Augmentation Committee chairman Murray King, speaking in the latest Water for Waimea newsletter, says doing nothing is not an option.

“Our region is growing and will continue to need more water,” King says.

“We know that weather patterns are changing and that will most likely mean extremes – such as more droughts. This is a long term investment that will serve us well beyond the current economic climate.”

Thomas says the HBRC has been in touch with TDC over its own feasibility study, which is to study the potential for investing in water storage infrastructure to serve the irrigation needs of Central Hawke’s Bay district.

HBRC chairman Alan Dick says management of the region’s demand for water is key to the economic, environmental, and social future of Hawke’s Bay.

“This study is an important first step to find a way to help to secure the economic future of the farming sector and the Central Hawke’s Bay community, and to unlock some of the production potential that could otherwise not be realised.

“Environmental issues are also a major concern in the district and this project should help to improve conditions in the rivers by alleviating the pressure on low summer flows.”

He says the council will play a key role in facilitating the feasibility study in conjunction with the many stakeholders, including the landowners, iwi, council, community and other agencies who will be involved from the outset.

The council is investing $882,000 at this stage, and MAF has also committed funding and advisory assistance.

This initial investment will be used to establish a leadership group and the ownership company, to carry out the initial studies, and identify the likely dam sites and irrigation zones to be served.

The formation of the leadership group and working with the irrigators are two early priorities, and detailed aerial photography of potential sites is also due to begin.

The total cost of the study is estimated about $ 2 million. Initial investment indicators estimate infrastructural and farming investment returns at between 6-10%.