Historic mining rights and the Criffel Irrigation Scheme were the main agenda items at the Otago Regional Council's water plan change hearing in Luggate yesterday.
Hearing panel chairman Duncan Butcher and councillors Louise Croot and Michael Deaker convened for about an hour to hear submissions by Jeremy Bell, on behalf of local irrigators and the community, and lawyer David Todd, on behalf of the Otago Water Resource Users Group.
Luggate residents Sandy Morris and Rod Anderson, who are familiar with the history of the Criffel Irrigation Scheme, also attended.
The ORC intends to change the water plan to impose a minimum flow regime on Luggate Creek. If the river drops below a prescribed level, people with extraction rights cannot take more.
The Criffel Irrigation Scheme was founded in 1967 at a cost of $16,000 to supply water to Criffel Station and three neighbouring farms.
Some of the present scheme members hold water extraction rights under mining privileges granted in gold rush times.
By law, all mining rights cease to exist in 2021.
Holders will have to apply to the regional council for new rights extending beyond 2021.
The challenge for the hearings committee was to provide clear rules and "unequivocal direction" to the community and water rights holders, Mr Bell said.
The community needed clear direction on the role it would play in developing water allocation policies or the issues could end up in the Environment Court, he said.
It would be hard for a small community to defend its interests against a large developer.
The Luggate hearing concluded a series of community hearings being held by the regional council in Otago this week.
