29,200 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast.
May 2014
INSIDE Big guns out for irrigation opener Page 6
Scholarship recipient look toward future in bovine genetics Page 12
From farming to global conservation
Page 35
Prolific sire retires leaving great legacy
CONTACT US Canterbury Farming 03 347 2314
by Kelly M. Phillips
National Party heavyweights were out in force for the Construction start of stage one for the $375 million Central Plains Water irrigation project. Prime Minister John Key, joined members of the Central Plains Water Trust and local farmers and politicians gathered in Hororata for the sod turning on the $140 million stage one of the Central Plains Water Scheme. Joining the Prime Minister for the event were Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy, Speaker of the House David Carter and Canterbury Earthquake Recovery minister Gerry Brownlee. According to Mr Key, the scheme is the first of its kind in New Zealand although similar projects have been granted consents and said the government’s role was to act as the glue that bound the various working groups together. “This project was always seen as the frontrunner and will lead to the creation of around 1,000 new jobs in the region. “This project takes pressure off existing waterways,” he said, referring to the project’s use of surface water instead of ground and aquifer reserves. Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy said, “we don’t have a water shortage issue in the country, we have a water storage issue.” To underline the economic impact, the minister cited a recent study by Lincoln University which found that, “10% of Christchurch’s gross economic output comes from direct expenditure on Selwyn
and [the] neighbouring Waimakariri District.” The scheme was first proposed by the Central Plains Water Enhancement Committee in 2001 as way to secure future agricultural yields through water storage. Initial funding for the scheme came from local farmers who purchased shares and raised $4.7 million. Additional funds have been provided by the Selwyn District Council, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Irrigation Acceleration Fund, Crown Irrigation Investments Limited and contributions from farmers. Stage One will see the construction of a 40m wide, 17km long headrace canal and 130km pipe distribution network. Completion is estimated for September 2015 with a total cost of $140 million. The final project will irrigate an estimated 60,000ha and draw water from both the Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers. The first phase will irrigate 20,000ha which will add 5,000ha to what is currently available. According to the CPW the company is required to have a two-year ground water monitoring record in place before taking water for surface irrigation. CPW began the monitoring of groundwater in selected bores in December 2012,
CPW Trust chief executive Derek Crombie, with the first sod turned for the irrigation scheme is delighted work has begun
following discussions with Environment Canterbury. Checkpoints are included along the project to monitor water levels and quality and excess water will be stored in Lake Coleridge until needed. CPW Trust chief executive Derek Crombie said the scheme began with a group of concerned farmers who were uncertain of its future success. Excess water will be stored in Lake Coleridge until needed.
Prime Minister John Key addresses the crowd at the sod turning for the Central Plains Water irrigation scheme
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