Criticism by lower Waitaki irrigators that Meridian Energy wants to control all the water in the lower Waitaki River has also drawn supported from Waitaki First.
The environmental group also attacked the Waitaki District Council for supporting two major projects on the lower river that are being proposed by Meridian.
At an Environment Canterbury (ECan) hearing into resource consent applications to use water from the lower river, mainly for irrigation, irrigators on Thursday criticised energy generation company for failing to reach an agreement with them that would ensure continuation of irrigation's current 100% reliable water supply.
Irrigators and Waitaki First fear that level of reliability will be lost if Meridian builds its proposed $900 million north bank tunnel concept (NBTC) power scheme alongside the river and the $200 million joint venture Meridian Energy-South Canterbury Irrigation Trust Hunter Downs irrigation scheme for the Waimate district proceeds.
Meridian counsel Jo Appleyard last month told the ECan hearings panel it should make decisions on the two schemes on the basis of no agreement being reached with irrigators to maintain that reliability.
Waitaki First chairwoman Helen Brookes said yesterday the group was "all about benefits to local Waitaki communities from the lower Waitaki River".
The river, its use, and availability of water for sustainable irrigation were key issues for Waitaki First, she said.
"Now the irrigators have come out in opposition to the NBTC and Hunter Downs schemes because of the position Meridian has adopted in refusing to make an agreement to ensure reliable water for existing and future irrigators," Dr Brookes said.
She supported irrigators' assertion Meridian wanted to control all the water in the lower Waitaki River.
Waitaki First had appeared before the Waitaki District Council urging it not to support the NBTC and Hunter Downs scheme.
She believed councillors should "hang their heads in shame" at the effects the projects could have on irrigation schemes using water from the lower river.
As long as there was any major hydro-electric scheme which proposed diverting water from the river there could be no benefit to farmers and local communities, she said.
Waitaki First had opposed both the NBTC and Hunter Downs schemes at Environment Canterbury hearings last year during which resource applications for the projects were considered.
