Cannington Basin, South Canterbury, water consent application declined

A consent application for groundwater from the Cannington Basin inland from Timaru has been declined by Commissioners Robert Nixon and Mike Bowden, acting for Environment Canterbury.

The application by Mr Bruce Eggleton had been opposed by a number of submitters Those in the Cannington Basin were concerned about reduced yields from existing bores or springs on nearby properties. Groundwater from the Cannington Basin contributes to flows in the Pareora River and submitters in the lower Pareora River area expressed concern about the effects of the proposed abstraction on instream flows and water levels and on associated springs, groundwater resources and water quality.

On the weight of evidence presented and the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Commissioners found that the effects of the proposed take would be more than minor on the groundwater of the Cannington Basin and the surface flows in the Pareora River.

In addition they considered that the proposal was contrary to the objectives and policies of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement and the proposed Natural Resources Regional Plan in relation to groundwater interference effects and maintenance of surface water flows.

The Commissioners acknowledged that the applicant felt aggrieved because he had incurred substantial farm development costs on the assumption that the consent would be granted. The combination of the consent process, opposition to the consent from submitters, a family tragedy as well as the costs had caused the applicant distress.

Environment Canterbury chief executive Dr Bryan Jenkins said that the commissioners’ decision and the concerns of submitters reflected the growing recognition that irrigation water takes in Canterbury are reaching sustainability limits.

There are already restrictions on existing water takes from the Pareora River and further reductions in reliability were a concern. Groundwater interference effects on existing water users in the Cannington Basin were also a concern.

Dr Jenkins expressed sympathy for Mr Eggleton’s personal circumstances. However he noted that there is a substantial risk in incurring development costs in advance of obtaining the consent for water upon which the development depends. The applicant has been advised of the decision.

The consent decision can be read on

www.ecan.govt.nz/Resource+Consents/Hearing+Decisions/

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