Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY IRRIGATION SCHEME

The largest local project for long term diversty and increased farm production is now ready to go

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

Multi-million dollar spinoffs

The biggest community irrigation scheme in Mid Canterbury since the creation of the Rangitata Diversion Race 75 years ago is about to come on line. It will have multi-million dollar spinoffs for the district as farmers access the water they need to grow more crops and boost production.

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

The Rangitata diversion race (RDR) has been shut down for nearly three weeks to allow engineers to create new off-takes for the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation (BCI) Scheme and carry out regular maintenance. When water begins flowing again next week, it will be an historic moment for those that have fought and persevered to make the scheme a reality. It could also be champagne-popping moment for BCI chairman John Wright, but in reality he will be carefully monitoring the work that still needs to be done.

BCI is installing five major pipelines that are connected to the RDR. Methven and Highbank lines will be completed first with some farmers on the scheme irrigating by October.

The RDR draws water from the Rangitata River, but extra water for the BCI scheme is being pumped up from the Rakaia River and poured into the tail end of the diversion race.

TrustPower is also using the shutdown to make major changes to the Highbank power station to allow the water to be pumped up.

Engineers have been working on a complex and computerised programme to control the different water-takes, making sure farmers’ varying needs and priorities are met. The RDR already supplies water to farmer shareholders on the Mayfield-Hinds, Valetta and Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Schemes. There is also potential for farmers to swap their water-takes.

Work was progressing to plan, Mr Right said.

“We do not have to have everything functioning, but the RDR has to be re-instated. People are excited to get to this stage, though there is quite a bit of work to do and people are nervous about their water supply this year.”

While the Methven line might be delivering water by October, the last line may not be live until December – farmers are hoping springplanted crops will benefit. Mr Wright said the construction work had generated new interest from farmers wanting to sign up for water later in the season, or next season. Around 50 farmers are water shareholders in the

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scheme, a further 100 holding shares with rights to connect in the future.

Farmer buy-in was the biggest stumbling block for BCI, which has been on the drawing board for decades, but never quite able to find enough farmer investors – despite winning consent to take water from the Rakaia.

Mr Wright led a race against time to ensure the scheme went ahead before the consent expired, negotiating a deal with Electricity Ashburton as a corner-stone partner. Also on board are the Ashburton District Council, the RDR and TrustPower.

A sidebar to BCI’s main scheme was also born, with farmers in the Rakaia Pendarves area accessing part of the water-take from the Rakaia River at Acton to feed a new network of stockwater-turned-irrigation races in that area.

Rooney Earthmoving is building, will own and operate the Acton scheme, but farmers are working on plans to buy it from the company.

BCI has the potential to irrigate some

40,000ha in Mid Canterbury; that’s on top of the 64,000ha already irrigated through other schemes using RDR water.

Ashburton Mayor Bede O’Malley said productivity on that farmland will increase because the water supply would be more reliable. Mr Wright said the key to building the scheme up quickly was the co-operation of the community and TrustPower to make Lake Coleridge available to boost reliability. “Short term solutions are a real possibility and would have minimal impact on the river.”

Mid Canterbury already produces around 50% of the country’s grain (wheat, barley and oats) and 60% of all small seeds (carrot and grass seeds).

Mr O’Malley said the commitment shown by all the partners involved was to be applauded. “The collaboration process undertaken with BCI and stakeholders will be a working example for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy,” he said.

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ooney Earthmoving Limited (REL) is currently constructing the Acton Irrigation Scheme utilising 3.0cumecs of BCI water for irrigation and 0.70cumecs for stockwater from the Rakaia River to supply 6600ha of farmland on the East side of SH1 below Rakaia.

The scheme is an enlargement of the existing stockwater scheme and comprises a 27km long main race running from Rakaia to Seafield Road with another six side races comprising 47km, fed off the headrace and running parallel to the Rakaia River, terminating at the coast.

The 50 shareholders in the scheme will use the water in a range of irrigated farming activities including dairying, sheep, beef and deer with grain and specialist arable crop farming making up the balance. Irrigation will primarily consist of Rotorainer, Centre pivot and Lateral irrigators.

REL has investigated, designed and built the Acton scheme and we are also constructing parts of the main BCI scheme to enable full utilisation of the rest of the BCI consented water later this season.

We are specialize in:

• Earthmoving Construction • Borderdyking (Laser & GPS) • Dairy Conversions, Underpasses & Farm Maintenance • Irrigation Work, Trenching & Pipe Laying • Pond Construction • Tree & Stump Removal • General Excavation Work • Subdivisions • Heavy Haulage, Certified Pilots • Gravel/Soil Screening

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Alford Forest Road, PO Box 403 Ashburton Phone (03) 308 6011 Fax (03) 308 5108 Mobile 027 249 7306

Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

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BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

The value

of water

Business Community Family

Community Family

Business Community Family

Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family Business Community Family

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

Mid Canterbury owes Electricity Ashburton a huge vote of thanks for financially kickstarting the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme. The lines company, which is owned by its customers, offered a $10 million injection to get the irrigation scheme off the ground, before precious water-take consents were lost.

The money has helped pay for the cost of constructing a system of underground pipes taking water from the Rangitata Diversion Race to farmers’ gates.

BCI had been struggling to find farmers to invest in the scheme this time last year. The country was in the grip of a recession and banks clamped down on lending.

Electricity Ashburton’s board saw instead a perfect opportunity for the co-operative lines company to do community good.

The economic spin-offs of irrigation for the wider district were clear. Farmers boosting

production leads to more work in the agricultural and other service industries, which in turn leads to more jobs in town, more spending at supermarkets, and more kids on school rolls.

“The main thing was to protect the (water) consent,” said EA general manager Gordon Guthrie. “The BCI consents had been around for some period and they were going to lapse on September 14, 2010. BCI needed a cornerstone investor to ensure those consents were protected, so we decided to be proactive.

“We saw the value of having that water in the district.”

Water in the pipe network is pressurised, initially by pumps in the upper part of the scheme, but by gravity in the lower reaches.

Farmers can literally hook up their centre pivots or laterals and irrigate.

“There is no need to use electricity to apply it to land.”

The saving is important to farmers comparing BCI water to the cost of sinking a deep well and pumping water to the surface.

The reliability of BCI water will also improve with storage planned as part of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

Mr Guthrie said the latest technology was helping ensure water was used as efficiently as it could be.

The move into irrigation also marks a change of philosophy for EA. Putting BCI alongside its project to deliver fibre-optic communication to rural areas, EA is looking more like a multiutility company. The different projects standalone financially.

“Our experience is infrastructure and asset management , and we are taking a view that it to grow the business by incorporating other local utility functions rather than looking outside the district.”

Ashburton District Council chief executive

Brian Lester said water efficiencies were an important part of the water strategy, which is a blueprint for water projects in the region.

Canterbury uses more water than any other region in the country; with 86% of water in Canterbury used for irrigation.

The Southern Alps keep rain from the plains, which means farmers have to irrigate to keep crops wet and help them grow.

Mr Lester said there was a push to greater use of existing infrastructure, so the fact BCI was able to be incorporated into the RDR was in keeping with the water strategy’s bigger picture.

“BCI is certainly getting water to some very good soils and areas where they have difficulty accessing groundwater.”

He said those soils would be important as farmers increased their role as protein producers, not just from dairy but from new grains and seeds being developed.

Providers of Geotechnical, Water Resource and Civil Engineering services throughout N.Z. for: Irrigation scheme infrastructure Land Development Hydro Electricity Generation Policy Development

A proven track record for innovative and cost effective design solutions has enabled RILEY to grow steadily since its incep-tion in 1984. Today the company has offices in Auckland and Christchurch, employing a staff in excess of 40. RILEY also provides specialist services in geotechnical, water resource and civil engineering. Areas of particular expertise include: land development, subdivisions, windfarms, foundations, earthworks, stability investigation, stormwater, wastewater, flood alleviation and river management, dam site investigation/safety and forensic engineering investigations. RILEY are committed to and support Irrigation New Zealand.

Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation RILEY are involved in the design and construction of a number of the components of the scheme including the Rakaia River intake and other structures related to the pump station, siphon intakes and new structures at the Methven checkgates.

RILEY has extensive expertise in: Dam design Canal system design Gate and Control Structures Intake and Fish screens Hydrology and hydraulic scheme assessments Strategic advice on irrigation scheme design and implementation.

Providers of Geotechnical, Resource Civil Please contact to Water discuss ourand services.

Engineering services throughout N.Z. for: Paul Morgan, Christchurch Manager Irrigation scheme infrastructure Phone:Land 03Development 379 4402 Hydro Electricity Generation e-mail: pmorgan@riley.co.nz Policy Development web: www.riley.co.nz

Progress starts with digging the land Ashburton Contracting Limited (ACL) have been subcontracted to provide all major earthworks and heavy machinery tasks on the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation scheme.

ACL are contracted to Tyco Flow Control Ltd to excavate all the pipeline trench, lay the pipeline into the trench and install pipe fittings both within the trench and for individual property off takes, and reinstate the work areas upon completion.

Communication with the land owners from start to finish is of upmost importance to the success of this project, as such a walkover is carried out prior to works getting underway on each property. This is to ensure that the requirements and expectations of each landowner are understood and also such that the landowner understands the impact the project mat have on his day to day operations and the relevant

safety requirements. This communication is continued on an on going basis throughout the project.

Initially ACL provide site preparation and clearing of trees and vegetation and fence lines as required to allow pipe installation to occur. Trench is then excavated with pipe and fittings laid, care is made to ensure that all precious topsoil is retained for re spreading on completion with the graders to leave a level site. Fences are then reinstated to the individual farmers requirements. Additionally where the pipeline crosses roadways or water races ACL are able to provide systems such that water supplies and vehicle access are disrupted as little as possible. On the larger diameter pipelines as there is excess material to be disposed of this has typically been carted and spread on existing or new farm tracks at minimal cost to the land owners.

A key factor in ACL being awarded this contract was out comprehensive Health and Safety practices and systems, quality control standards. extensive resources and experience locally based staff..

Additional works provided to the project by ACL include, Roadway reinstatement, Readymix Concrete Supply, Supply and Delivery of Aggregates, and Irrigation Mainline Installation on farms.

ACL are proud to be involved in such an exciting project for the region and appreciate the cooperation of the affected landowners, dedication and hard work of our staff, and positive relationship with the client that has developed throughout this project.

ACL have the local experience to make your earthwork project stress free and successful.

Carrying on our high standards and extensive expertise ACL can provide you with a range of earthmoving, Reticulation and construction services for any farm projects.

ACL can clear trees and vegetation, construct gravel and lime lanes, cowshed sites, house sites and foundations, effluent ponds and stock water, effluent and irrigation systems.

Our ready-mix concrete division provides concrete of the highest standard, to provide a solid foundation to your project, proven to stand the test of time.

Our plumbing and drainage divisions can ensure your effluent, stock water and irrigation requirements are handled professionally, and can assist in connections to main water schemes.

We can supply and deliver shingle and other aggregate to site, and we have a range of diggers and graders ready to tackle the toughest of jobs.

We can also supply a large range of landscape supplies, from bark to Oamaru stone, for the finishing touches to your project.

ACL specialise in the construction and installation of cattle underpasses, and are specialists in Dairy Lane capping and are able to lay either your preferred capping product or offer advice on the most suitable and cost effective capping product for your situation ACL operate an extensive fleet of late model plant complimented by an experienced local staff to ensure that the best possible project is delivered each and every time.

We pride ourselves on working with our clients to complete timely cost effective projects to the highest possible standards every time.

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

Making sure there is enough water

Making sure there is enough water for Mid Canterbury’s different needs will fall in the future to a special group of people appointed to implement the Canterbury Water Management Strategy in this district.

The strategy has been developed over the past six years to address issues around water in the region. These include the declining health of both surface water and groundwater, an ongoing loss of cultural value and recreational opportunities, as well as the declining availability and reliability of water for agricultural and energy users.

The Ashburton Water Management Committee announced last week is a mix of farmers, conservationists and professionals in touch with the district’s complicated water

systems and those who use them. Their ultimate aim, guided by the strategy, is to enable present and future generations to gain the greatest social, economic, recreational and cultural benefits from Canterbury’s water resources.

The committee is: Rangitata Diversion Race CEO Ben Curry, Electricity Ashburton general manager Gordon Guthrie, dairy farmer Greg Roadley, WasteBusters founder Sheryl Stivens, Fish and Game regional councillor Matthew Hall, high country farmer Donna Field, Ashburton District Council representative Neil Brown, ECan commissioner David Caygill and runanga representation.

The six community members were appointed following a thorough selection process to

find the best combination of people with the range of interests and expertise to ensure the collective strength of the committee.

Irrigation is one of 10 targets covered by the strategy, which first sets out primary principles including sustainable management and tangata whenua. First order priorities relate to environment, customary use, community supplies and stockwater.

Irrigation, renewable electricity generation and recreation and amenity are second-order priorities.

Targets have been developed for: • Ecosystem health/biodiversity • Kaitiakitanga • Drinking Water • Recreation & Amenity

• Environmental limits • Indicators of Regional and National Economies • Energy Security and Efficiency • Irrigated Land Area • Water-use Efficiency • Braided Rivers - Natural Character, Process and Ecology With the increasing demand for water in Canterbury there has been increasing conflict over the allocation of water for abstraction and for the maintenance or improvement of instream values. Guided by the Canterbury water management strategy, the Ashburton Zone Committee will be protecting and developing options that provide greater benefits for the hole of Mid Canterbury.

Conhur is proud to have been chosen for on-site Welding and Hydrotesting of the polyethylene pipe work on the BCI project Conhur has the largest selection of state of the art PE Welders in New Zealand, handling PE pipe up to 1200mm diameter. Conhur Welding Operators are experienced in the welding of large bore thick-walled HDPE pipes and are certified to international standards.

All Conhur Welding machines have integrated data logging facilities Conhur offers totally engineered, fixed price solutions for dredging and dewatering sludges and silts. Conhur has an extensive range of transportable, purpose built plant, including latest generation, containerised centrifuge dewatering equipment. Conhur’s cost-effective dewatering methods produce a dry cake that can be transported, composted, land-filled or incinerated.

Conhurs Services include: • Large Bore PE Welding • Dredging and Desludging • Mechanical Dewatering • Geotextile Dewatering • Digester Cleaning • Confined Space Working • Centrifuge Hire • Dredge Hire • Pump Hire • Sludge Surveys

Contact: Wayne Telfer – Contracts Manager 0274 914 697 wayne@conhur.com

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme Committee proďŹ les

Gordon Guthrie

Greg Roadley

Gordon Guthrie (Ashburton) Gordon has a strong technical knowledge of the electricity/energy industry and a broad understanding of the local productive, environmental, economic and community issues. He is general manager of Electricity Ashburton with more than 30 years experience across all sectors of the electricity industry.

He was involved during the construction and operation of the Montalto hydroelectric station on the Rangitata Diversion Race and has undertaken feasibility studies for water

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Sheryl Stivens

Ben Curry

storage and hydro generation potential in the Ashburton district.

He developed the joint venture with BarrhillChertsey Irrigation to construct a new pipe irrigation scheme and worked closely with the Ashburton Community Water Trust to integrate generation with irrigation and the subsequent consent process for the Rakaia Terrace project.

Gordon is interested in the potential to integrate hydro generation with irrigation and other water storage initiatives. “The efďŹ cient productive use of water in our community and the use of modern IT

Neil Brown

technologies for water management are additional drivers for my interest.�

Gordon and his wife Debbie run a small cattle stud on their Winchmore property.

Greg Roadley (Ashburton) Greg is director of the Glenroy Community Irrigation Company, and chair of the Production Management Committee for Canterbury Grasslands.

He wants to see water managed to best effect for the community. “I strongly believe that water is the most

David Caygill

valuable resource in Canterbury and needs to be managed with a holistic view with good governance, not advocacy, acting in the best interests of the entire community, ensuring that my children continue to enjoy the beneďŹ ts that water currently provides.â€?

Greg is a dairy (1700 cows) and arable farmer in Mid Canterbury who irrigates his land from surface and artesian sources within the zone. Together with his wife Rachel, he won the National 2005 Fonterra-Westpac farm business of the year, an environmental award for dairy excellence.

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme Greg is actively involved in the wider dairy industry through investment in other operations within New Zealand and overseas, and through volunteer work in industry activities.

Greg is married to Rachel and they have two young children.

Sheryl Stivens (Ashburton) With 26 years experience in governance, community involvement, and a strong commitment to sustainability, Sheryl originally developed the WasteBusters Education programme and facilitated workshops to share the programme with educators throughout New Zealand . The education programme won national awards for the Ashburton district.

Over the past 16 years she has been committed to developing and managing the WasteBusters Trust Canterbury and resigned from the organisation in April 2010.

Sheryl is on the New Zealand Waste Advisory Board, is a member of the Executive of Community Recycling Network of NZ, and also a member of the Sector Advisory Group for the NZ Resource Recovery Industry.

She says she is “passionate about sustainable living, sustainable farming, sustainable use of resources and biodiversity.”

“I am interested in the process of future-proofing the water resources of the Ashburton district.”

Raised on a border dyke-irrigated family farm at Winchmore, Sheryl and her husband now have a small organic farm at Willowby.

She says she understood and valued water from an early age, reinforced in adulthood by two years living in the Riverina grain growing area of Australia.

Sheryl is married and has two children.

Matthew Hall (Ashburton) Matthew is secretary for the South Rangitata Reserve Incorporated, a member of the Ashburton River/Hakatere Mouth Action Committee, and currently serves as a councillor on the Central South Island Fish and Game Council.

Matthew has a number of private trusteeships and recently finished after more than 40 years with Perpetual Trust Limited. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

He has lived in the district for more than 30 years and has with strong links to the farming community. Matthew is also an active advocate for the Rangitata River (where his family has a holiday cottage) and other rivers and lakes in which he has fished.

“The challenge for me has been marrying this interest in the rivers with the value I perceive is gained from irrigation. The answer is about sustainable outcomes and to achieve this there needs to be a balanced and collaborative approach.”

Matthew is married to Karen with four adult children.

Ben Curry (Ashburton) Ben is chief executive of the Rangitata Diversion Race Management, the largest and oldest water supply organisation in New Zealand, which supplies water to the Ashburton District Council for domestic and stockwater use, to TrustPower for hydro-generation and more than 350 farming businesses.

“The future of water governance is a critical component of the RDRML strategy,” he says.

Ben is a member of Irrigation NZ and the Ashburton Water User Group.

Providing irrigation technical support for Farmers

• Review of irrigation quotations • Pump analysis • System commissioning checks • Flow measurements • Irrigation Evaluations NZQA Certified First Floor, Apix Building 131 Alford Forest Road Ashburton M: 027 514 0964 E: grant@kitto.co.nz www. kitto.co.nz

He is widely experienced as a communicator, manager, negotiator and leader.

Prior to his engagement with the RDRML he spent 22 years as an officer in the Royal Marines in the United Kingdom. Within the Marines, his roles were varied including managing a £650 million integrated IT system which sought to combine the operational systems of the Navy, Air Force, Army and Joint HQ. He was also Chief of Operations and Planning for the UN mission in Liberia, West Africa and Chief of ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target, Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) for the UK Amphibious Task Force.

Ben, who is married with three children, enjoys cycling, cricket, sailing, canoeing and diving.

Donna Field (Rakaia Gorge) Donna is chair of the Whitcombe Landcare Group, a committee member of Ashburton Forest and Bird, liaison contact with Solid Energy for the Millerton and Plateau Protection Society (MAPPS), and a member of the Mid Canterbury High Country Section of Federated Farmers. She is fully engaged in the community including school and fundraising roles.

Donna says she has a strong ecological background and a deep interest in the water conservation and usage issues of the Ashburton zone.

“It is in finding the sustainable balance between these issues that my interest lies.”

She is a sheep and beef farmer and a director of Cleardale Station, near the Rakaia River above the Rakaia Gorge.

Riparian strips have been planted on the property, areas of dry land scrub reserves created, two centre pivot irrigators are used,

and in conjunction with MainPower a 1 megawatt hydro power plant is currently being developed.

Donna is married with four children attending school in Methven.

Hon David Caygill (Environment Canterbury commissioner) Mr Caygill is chair of the Electricity Commission, chair of the ACC Stocktake Group, chair of the Education New Zealand Trust, chair of the Advisory Committee on Official Statistics, associate member of the Commerce Commission and a board member of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

Mr Caygill had three terms as a Christchurch City Councillor and six terms as a Member of Parliament where he held Ministerial portfolios in Trade and Industry, Health and Finance before reverting to the law as a partner in Buddle Findlay.

He brings a significant background in politics at both local and national level as well as strong management and governance skills. His work in the electricity sector will be valuable when working through the issues of water allocation.

Cr Neil Brown (Ashburton District Council) Cr Brown is a farmer, and a member of council for six years. He has a farming and commercial property background.

A representative from local runanga has yet to be finalised

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Ray Mayne Hose & Fittings, the trusted name in irrigation...

Ray Mayne Hose and Fittings Ltd is a privately owned irrigation company based in Range Street, Ashburton, Mid Canterbury. The company was formed in 1991 and currently employs 19 staff. We specialise in irrigation design, installation, manufacture and importing of irrigation equipment. Our client base extends from Gore, Southland, to Whakatane, Bay of Plenty.

Ray Mayne Hose and Fittings Ltd is the New Zealand importer of Reinke Irrigation Equipment from Nebraska, USA. We import Snap-tite Irrigation products from the USA and Europe. Ray Mayne Hose and Fittings Ltd manufacture the TurboRain brand of large travelling irrigator. We are also proud to be a member of Irrigation New Zealand.

Bruce Kell, our sales manager, deals with irrigation design. Bruce has had considerable design experience using the “Irricad” software package and is widely recognized within the irrigation industry as a leading irrigation designer. He is helped by Craig Harrison for general sales enquiries and Ray Mayne, Managing Director of Ray Mayne Hose & Fittings Ltd. As we work through our design processes, we encourage our clients to consider the benefits of application density thus conserving water and soil structure. This happens with the use of low pressure, high performance sprinklers and sprinkler pattern integrity.

Providing the largest area of instant coverage possible minimizes the impact on the soil’s surface and crop. The larger the area of soil surface that water is applied to at any given instant of the sprinkler’s operation means a lower impact on the soil structure.

This preserves the soil’s ability to absorb water.

Producing a sprinkler pattern that maintains its integrity in windy conditions, and minimizes wind drift and evapotranspiration, is also required for peak performance. The Reinke sprinkler package produces a relatively uniform sized droplet that is adequate in size to resist wind distortion. Wind drift and evapotranspiration from small droplets lowers irrigation efficiency, and wastes water and energy. The best droplet size is the largest possible that does not have an adverse effect on soil and crops.

A lower application density leads to healthy soils with a good soil structure, capable of maximum soil infiltration and a possible early season start, typically at germination

stage. The soil structure is preserved with minimal water build up and good root aeration is achieved because of the gentle application.

Uncontrolled pressure fluctuations in irrigation systems cause flow deviations and over watering. Common causes of pressure variation include elevation changes, changes in the system demands, and water supply. Over watering increases application density and can result in soil compaction, sealing and runoff. Pressure regulators can help prevent these fluctuations and help maintain overall efficiency on an irrigation system.

Variable Rate Irrigation is now readily available and can be retro fitted to existing centre pivot or lateral irrigators or fitted to new systems as they are being assembled. Ray Mayne Hose and Fittings has fitted a number of their Reinke pivots with “VRI”. This system allows different amounts of water to be applied along any part of the total length of the irrigator at any one time. In the past, the goal has been to maximise efficiency of blanket irrigation by getting the most uniform application possible under the entire length of the irrigator. However, this is not always the most efficient way to irrigate. Sometimes different parts of the field require more or less water due to characteristics such as drainage, variable soil textures and/or types, different crops water requirements and other physical reasons such as areas that need no irrigation at all, like farm tracks etc, but which lie under the irrigator’s path.

Unlike the past, when the goal has been to get the most even distribution possible along the length of the irrigator, by pulsing valves on and off to change the application rate of each individual sprinkler, VRI allows application of the correct quantity of water where it is needed.

Reinke Manufacturing, our supplier of centre pivot and lateral irrigators, are regarded as the leader in GPS guidance technology using Trimble GPS equipment. With the support of the recognized Trimble agents in New Zealand, we are at the forefront of this form of irrigator guidance. We have been using GPS guidance for a number of irrigation seasons here in Canterbury and are in the process now of assembling another Reinke Pivot with GPS swing arm corner guidance for one of our clients in the BCI area.

Range Street, Riverside Industrial Park, Ashburton Phone (03) 308 6022

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

Taking action

Fifty farmers in the Pendarves and Dorie area have a crucial role in the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme. They make up a subset group able to begin using BCI’s water-take from the Rakaia River before the consent lapses on September 14.

Water will not flow in BCI’s main pipe network near Methven until October, but the consent will be activated next week by the Acton Irrigation Scheme.

The project is a collaboration between the Ashburton District Council, Rooneys Earthmoving, BCI and farmers in the Acton group. Rooneys is spending $10 million widening council stockwater races to accommodate three cumecs of water from the Rakaia; it is also constructing three storage ponds.

Farmers are spending another $5m on their own farms installing smaller storage ponds, pumping equipment and buying spray irrigators.

They say the extra water delivered in the enlarged stockwater races represents about 15% of their total water requirements and allows them to take less from their deep bores, taking pressure off groundwater resources.

Cr Neil Brown said it was an important project with big ramifications for Mid Canterbury.

“Going out and seeing the machinery going and the channels being dug is really exciting, not just for local farmers but for the wider Mid Canterbury.”

The main irrigation channel that runs from the river at Acton to Seafield is complete, with side races 70% finished. A fish screen has been installed at the Acton intake and control gates

will be fitted this week. Wet weather has held up earthworks on farms, but the scheme is on target to take water for irrigation by September 14.

Cr Brown said Rooneys’ workforce had put in long hours since February, relocating teams from Southland and Waimate so the job was completed on time.

Farmers will eventually buy the scheme from Rooneys, which saw a chance to keep its workers busy during recessionary times.

Water used by the Acton farmers will irrigate some 6000 hectares. The water-take is conditional on flows in the Rakaia, and considered 61% reliable.

For Chertsey sheep and crop farmer Campbell McArthur, the water is a dream come true.

He will be able to irrigate almost all of his 263ha farm using a newly-installed 500 metre centre pivot irrigator.

He said although the scheme will provide as much water as his well at 70 litres a second, it will only use 55kw of power to pump the same amount of water as his well which uses 140kw of power to draw form the 120 metre deep well. An on-farm storage pond will hold at least 40 hours of water.

Mr McArthur’s family has been involved with irrigation in Mid Canterbury since 1956 when his father was the secretary on the local irrigation board for 30 years. He remembered other farmers laughing at his father’s idea of growing potatoes in Mid Canterbury as the land was more barren and far less productive. “The landscape was just shocking back then, but now there’s green grass and it’s 100% better than in those days.”

Acton Irrigation Scheme directors Dean Pye (left) and Graeme Bassett (right) with Ashburton District Councillor Neil Brown check out development of a storage pond that is one of three on the Acton Scheme.

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Using water more efficiently The company that designed and installed the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation (BCI) Scheme has planted roots in Mid Canterbury.

Tyco Flow Control, which won the $19 million dollar contract to create the scheme’s 60km network of pipe, now has an office in Methven and says it sees a long-term future in Mid Canterbury as the district moves to use water more efficiently.

Tyco is an international company operating in 82 countries and has over 240,000 employees. Its various divisions are involved in the design, manufacturing, distributing, installation and servicing of markets ranging from fire protection to water and environmental management.

The company was no stranger to Mid Canterbury when it signed up with BCI, having piped part of the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme in 2008.

Tyco business development manager Aynsley Griffith said while BCI was a standalone project, there was potential for the future conversion of other open water channels in the district to pipe.

Mr Griffith said Tyco used local subcontractors for its Mid Canterbury work and was committed to the district, having established an office in Methven.

“The opportunities here are really massive, and we are part of the community now.”

He said Tyco was excited to be part of the BCI project, because of the huge impact the water would have on the community. Farmers could diversify and boost production with the aid of irrigation, and the economic spin-offs were widespread.

The end-to-end project encompassed design, product supply, construction, project management and commissioning.

“The BCI scheme evolved from a level of trust developed over many years. Firstly Tyco had the reputation of delivering irrigation schemes similar in nature that met the customers’ expectations. The design teams worked with the BCI board to understand the required outputs and constraints to deliver concept designs. Collaboratively these concepts were developed to meet the financial objectives and consequently Tyco earned the board’s trust to be awarded the project.”

He said Tyco recognised the huge difference between on-farm irrigation and that of the large irrigation infrastructure projects such as the BCI project.

“These large complex schemes have significant performance demands, and require a company that owns the outcomes with the shareholders. This alignment and understanding of the farmers’ requirements has been built up over many years through our Water Dynamics business and this knowledge forms the basis of our integrated approach to the irrigation infrastructure market.”

He said the key to the success of the project was the people involved. Tyco people were regionally placed, conversant with the agricultural industry and uniquely backed by the Tyco-owned factories that produce the main components of the scheme.

“It is absolutely essential to have the confidence in the key components and with Tyco Flow you get exactly this.”

The company used some 2.2 million kilograms of polyethylene resin to construct around 60km of pipe that will carry water underground from the Rangitata Diversion Race. Where possible, gravity head is used to provide 35-40 metres of pressure at the off-takes. Where gravity head is insufficient to provide 35-40 metres of pressure, booster pumps will be used.

Tyco has two manufacturing facilities, 11 distribution outlets, four design centres and a fully integrated service team. It employs around 300 Kiwis across multiple business sectors.

Project Delivery

To deliver the irrigation distribution network and manage all aspects of construction, Tyco Flow Control engaged the capabilities of Water Infrastructure Group – the project delivery arm of Tyco Flow Control.

Water Infrastructure Group has provided a dedicated project engineering and project management team based on site at Methven.

“These large schemes cannot be paralleled to on-farm irrigation and, simply put, you need construction and project management professionals to deliver the best possible outcome” With a reputation for delivering complex and challenging projects within budget, on time and with outstanding safety, environmental

and community outcomes, Water Infrastructure Group is recognised for its innovation and quality management systems to deliver on these outcomes.

Heading into Spring, two of the main BCI distribution lines will soon be commissioned and ready to deliver pressurised water to properties on the scheme. The ability to

complete this scheme in a tight time frame is a good example of the benefits of the close working relationship between Tyco Flow Control and the BCI Board and management.

This will be a significant milestone for Tyco Flow Control, and proof they can deliver projects on or ahead of time, under challenging constraints.

Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

TrustPower says its role in the Barrhill total output of the scheme to eight cumecs.

Chertsey Irrigation Scheme is just the start of The pumps will be driven by motors rated at its commitment to irrigation in Canterbury. approximately 1.0MW each, and it is these The electricity generator is spending $15 pumps which will take the water from the new million on developments at the Highbank intake, up the Highbank penstock and then power station, so water can be pumped up into the RDR for delivery to farmers. from the Rakaia River and used for irrigation The new intake is being constructed within or hydro-generation.

TrustPower’s operational area at Highbank, TrustPower already has a shareholding in and will include an intake gate and structure, the Rangitata Diversion Race and also owns ďŹ sh return system, large settling and diversion Coleridge power station, with Lake Coleridge pond and canal connecting the pond to the on a list of potential water storage sites pump house. The intake and pond system for Canterbury. has been designed to manage the full eight TrustPower generation manager Mike cumecs of water.

Kedian said the electricity company hoped BCI will use the water for its shareholders the BCI project would mark the start of a on arable, dairy and extensive pastoral farms number of new projects and enhancements from September 9 until May 9 each year. planned for Canterbury.

This coincides with the time of year when “As you can see by our level of investment the Highbank power station is not required in this project, we are here for the long-term to operate, leaving the penstock available for and we look forward to more collaborative water to be pumped up into the upper terrace. projects in the future,� he said.

Mr Kedian said the new developments The Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) already being built and paid for by TrustPower will irrigates around 64,000 hectares, and water be in effect leased to BCI, meaning that BCI from the BCI scheme will potentially reach shareholders are not required to provide another 17,600 hectares. the massive capital TrustPower is currently investment that the project As you can see by our building a new pump would have otherwise level of investment in house at Highbank and required. making alternations to the He said the joint project this project, we are power station’s penstock will have deďŹ nite economic here for the long-term beneďŹ ts for the region. to accommodate BCI. and we look forward Water will be extracted “While the economic from the Rakaia River via beneďŹ t of BCI is yet to more collaborative a new intake near the to be realised, it has projects in the future, power station. It will ow some similarities to the through a settling pond Rangitata Diversion Race. and ďŹ ltration gallery into a The RDR shareholders short section of canal running parallel to the inject around $550 million into the Mid Highbank power station’s tailrace.

Canterbury region annually, and while the The water will then be pumped across the eight cumec BCI scheme is around a quarter tailrace and up through the existing Highbank of the size of the Rangitata Diversion Race, penstock, where it will then ow along the even a quarter of the beneďŹ t would be RDR canals for irrigation to the upper plains. signiďŹ cant,â€? he said.

Mr Kedian said the Highbank initiative was Mr Kedian said much effort had gone an example of an irrigator and a proactive into the design of the scheme, such as the electricity generator working together to bifurcation – or splitting – of the penstock. achieve a common goal. “Cutting a large hole into an old penstock is “We are utilising existing assets, which is not to be taken lightly, so the method we are providing enormous cost savings to BCI and using to split and anchor the penstock has its local farmer shareholders. We have put a had to be very carefully thought out. It has lot of thought into this project to ensure we been a challenge but through creative and can still maintain the integrity of the existing clever engineering we have enabled this hydro assets while providing a reliable, to happen.â€? efďŹ cient pumping system – and it is fantastic Other interesting design challenges have that those two key drivers are both being included managing hydraulic transients achieved,â€? he said. (dangerous rises in pipe pressure) in the event To make this project happen, a new pump of any major system disturbance, and coming house is needed. The pump house will up with a cost effective way to start the pump initially house four one-cumec pumps, with motors to minimise impact on the local network. room for a further two pumps to be installed The Highbank Power Station was when the demand for water increases – constructed between 1939 and 1945, as meaning the scheme will be capable of part of a combined project to enhance farm handling up to six cumecs. In the future, production and generate electricity. The the pump house is able to be expanded to average annual output of the Highbank house a further two pumps, to bring the scheme is approximately 94 GWh.

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

17

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

Plans for massive water storage under way The Rangitata Diversion Race management company is progressing plans for a massive water storage lake at Klondyke.

Storage would create a reliable water supply for irrigators who take water from the RDR, which is subject to restrictions when the Rangitata River runs low in the summer.

RDR chief executive Ben Curry said a big storage lake could cost $100 million, so a cost-benefit investigation was vital. The company bought a 244ha farm near the diversion race earlier this year, perfect for a storage lake.

“There has been a long-held aspiration to provide some storage somewhere in Mid Canterbury for the RDR and others.

Blowing Point came and went, so we were back to the status quo with no storage and then his farm at Taradale came up.”

Engineering and cost-benefit analysis is currently under way for a lake, but the decision will ultimately be made by shareholders. Negotiations with TrustPower will also be necessary, as the power company currently uses unwanted water in the canal to generate electricity at Highbank.

Mr Curry said the whole management of irrigation was changing across the district. More farmers were converting from border-dyke to spray irrigation (at least 60% in the Mayfield-Hinds scheme) and water efficiencies were obvious.

Incorporating BCI into the RDR’s 70-year-old network has involved some major plumbing. Water will come from opposite directions and be controlled by complex and computerised telemetry systems.

It is a big upheaval for the race, and brings possible risks to a well-oiled operation that has stood the test of time.

Mr Curry said protecting the interests and investments of farmer shareholders in the existing Mayfield-Hinds, Valetta and Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Schemes was important. But it was exciting to welcome a new scheme and more water for the plains.

It has also provided the chance to think strategically about the future of the RDR. Trying to create a strategic vision involved tying in shareholders’ expectations with documents like the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and technological advances.

“One of the things about storage is, you use less water because you know you will have water when you need it. These are the gains we are starting to see.”

He said on-farm ponds may not be necessary if the RDR and Coleridge developed storage.

Water-trading would also become more open and commercial in the next decades, not only between farmers but as investment options for outsiders.

“Ultimately I want to improve the RDR and make it the best and shiniest example of how to run an irrigation scheme. We are lucky because of the foresight of some bright people 70 years ago and we have to manage it for the next generation.”

He said the biggest issue remained reliability, but storage would change that. The proposed storage lake at Klondyke would work in tandem with plans to store water at Lake Coleridge, as outlined in the water strategy.

The water plan also encourages greater use of existing irrigation infrastructure, precisely what is happening as the RDR accommodates BCI.

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Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme

BARRHILL CHERTSEY Ir rigation Scheme

Checkgates on the Rangitata Diversion Race near Methven have been the scene of major construction in the past weeks.

Fulton Hogan - Proudly involved in delivering quality solutions to the Ashburton area Fulton Hogan are proud to have been awarded the contract to construct the civil works for the Barhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme.

Works currently underway include the construction of siphon intakes, canals and ponds at Methven, Highbank, Forks, Buccleuch and Mayfield.

A shutdown of the RDR which is in place until 13th September has allowed the construction of 2 new gate structures adjacent to the existing Methven gates.

Fulton Hogan has been planning for the shutdown since March and have worked closely with the designers to develop a constructable solution which could be achieved within the extremely short construction window.

For further information please contact Fulton Hogan Ashburton Telephone (03) 308 2418 Freephone 0800 FH ASH1 Facsimile (03) 308 8731

Civil South Telephone (03) 375 9060 Facsimile (03) 323 7346 Email civilsouth@fultonhogan.com

www.fultonhogan.com

Fulton Hogan’s Civil division are responsible for the delivery of the project. The local workforce and resources of the Fulton Hogan Ashburton division are also involved to enable work to proceed on various fronts at the same time.

In spite of the wet weather experienced during August work remains on programme and the works are scheduled for completion in December 2010