Yesterday, the Otago Daily Times reported Williamson Holdings Ltd, Southdown Holdings Ltd and Five Rivers Ltd had suggested to an Environment Canterbury (ECan) panel hearing their applications for water for dairying there could be alternative uses for the land.
These included "cut and carry" sheep and beef farming or cropping without stock.
However, the panel was unsure whether the three companies were suggesting that as an alternative to the dairy farms, which is their preferred option, or as a replacement for dairying.
It has asked the companies to clarify that.
It has also asked the companies to provide further information about the details of any alternatives.
Waitaki First chairwoman Helen Brookes said yesterday "the devil will be in the detail" provided by the companies.
However, if they were now proposing something different from dairy, they should make new applications for water.
Alternatives such as "cut and carry" or cropping did not need as much water as "industrial-type" dairying, which needed to dilute dairy effluent.
She also suggested that without detailed applications, the companies would be "given a blank cheque" in how they used the water.
"That is totally unacceptable to Waitaki First," she said.
Waitaki First's view was the applications had to be considered in the light of what was lodged.
Submitters had based their submissions on those details.
If alternatives were now being proposed, submitters needed to know the details and be able to informed comment, she said.
