CRUCIAL NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY: HURUNUI WATER PROJECT TO CONTINUE

The vital community and economic need for an environmentally sustainable water supply is behind the Hurunui Water Project’s (HWP) commitment to continue, despite a smaller than anticipated uptake on its recent water rights share offer.

At a meeting with share applicants this afternoon in Hawarden, North Canterbury, the irrigation company’s board and management confirmed they would continue to develop the scheme, despite “having a few more hurdles to jump,” said CEO Chris Pile.

Shareholders had earlier indicated a demand for water right shares to irrigate in the vicinity of 17,500ha. On this basis, a scheme was designed with construction partner, the Rooney Group.

The scheme was to also include an additional 3,500ha of future capacity, which was to be funded by Crown Irrigation Investments Limited.

The Labour-led coalition Government has since cancelled the investment scheme.

“We have received applications for 5,200 of the water right shares on offer.

“Although this is below the threshold necessary to build the current concept design infrastructure at an affordable cost, it demonstrates the understanding of those who’ve chosen to invest of the real need for a reliable, sustainable water supply.

“Not only is this a significant commitment to invest in their own businesses, but also the desire to future-proof and protect the region against droughts.

“It is wrong to think this is only about agri-business – water is the lifeblood of our community and the frequency and severity of droughts in our region are only likely to increase.

“Australia is suffering through a six-year drought and the impacts of Climate Change are factors in the high temperature and dry winds fanning the devastating North American forest fires.

“This is the important bigger picture, and such conditions impact harshly not only on agricultural productivity and alternative land uses, but the stability and sustainability of our communities,” Chris Pile said.

The current HWP scheme is designed to use on-plains storage, not take low-flow river water, and ensure farmers manage their water supply efficiently and sustainably through the latest monitoring technology.

“The scheme must and will continue,” Chris Pile said.

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