IrrigationNZ ‘dams’ Ruataniwha myths

23 September 2016

IrrigationNZ ‘dams’ Ruataniwha myths

IrrigationNZ has taken the unprecedented step of taking out full page adverts in Hawke’s Bay and Wellington newspapers to illustrate how the Ruataniwha Dam could bring similar benefits to the Hawke’s Bay as the Opuha Dam has delivered for the South Canterbury region.

The national irrigation industry organisation has never paid for national adverts before, “but the misinformation that is circulating around the Hawke’s Bay community generated by outside protagonists needs correcting. Hawke’s Bay residents deserve to have all the information as they consider their future,” says IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis.

Among the fictitious myths that IrrigationNZ responds to in adverts in the Hawke’s Bay Today, Hastings Mail, Napier Mail, Central Hawke’s Bay Mail and the Dominion Post over the next week are that:

The Ruataniwha Dam;

· Claim: It is an economic gamble. Fact: 190 farmers have signed up to take water and numerous reports by reputable economists support the project's objectives

· Claim: It will turn Hawke’s Bay into a dairy farm. Fact: There are no new dairy conversions amongst the 190 signed up. Only one irrigator will expand an existing dairy farm by 100ha.

· Claim: It will pollute local rivers. Fact: The dam has very strict environmental regulations and all its irrigators will be independently audited to ensure good environmental practice?

· Claim: It will risk water contamination like in Havelock North. Fact: These are very separate matters. Monitoring has shown the aquifer is not contaminated – farming has not caused the Havelock North issue, infrastructure is the problem.

Mr Curtis says it’s very clear that the Ruataniwha Dam will be a community success story like that of Opuha Dam. “Water storage will bring economic gains, environmental improvements and new recreational opportunities. There will be better flows in the Tukituki River. Stored water can be used to manage the environment, particularly when water levels drop naturally due to drought and the dam will better prepare this region for climate change.”

Misinformation around Ruataniwha’s environmental effects also needed to be addressed.

“The dam will come with strict new environmental rules. Higher river flows will be enshrined in its operation and farm nutrient limits managed through audited farm plans. Recent claims of water quality degradation certainly can’t be substantiated,” says Mr Curtis.

Mr Curtis says protagonists from outside the region have wider objectives than just disrupting Ruataniwha’s progress.

“The goal of the anti-farming lobby is to divide communities, create mistrust and spread misinformation. They use fear to fundraise and publicity stunts to market their brand. IrrigationNZ has taken out adverts to provide alternative, fact-based information. We are confident Hawke’s Bay residents will see through the anti-brigade’s antics. However other provincial communities could be next in line so we need to be vigilant in maintaining a strong, science-based response to these erroneous claims,” says Mr Curtis.

ends

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