Irrigation

For the North Otago Irrigation Company, environmental management is a "fundamental part" of its business.

"Irrigation really is the future" - that is the message from North Otago Irrigation Company chief executive Robyn Wells as the company plans for the second stage of its scheme.

Southern irrigation scheme interests have applauded the Government's expanded irrigation fund, saying it is a step in the right direction.

Irrigation companies using water from the Waitaki River have formed a collective, pooling resources to cope with future issues they might face, David Bruce reports.

Future irrigation issues in North Otago and Waimate do not daunt Elizabeth Soal, who has just been appointed policy manager for the newly-formed Waitaki Irrigators' Collective Ltd.

Communities developing irrigation infrastructure may soon be able to get up to $2 million financial assistance from the Otago Regional Council.

Oamaru motorcycle sales manager Leighton Selfe sometimes has to pinch himself to make sure he is not dreaming about the number of farm bikes going out the door.

Farmers have invested more than $62 million in developing their farms over the past five years to take advantage of irrigation from the North Otago Irrigation Company scheme covering 10,000ha on the North Otago Downlands and in the Waiareka Valley.

Farmers wanting more water for irrigation from the upper Waitaki catchment are working through issues associated with 110 resource consent applications, but the process is taking longer than expected.

The proposed $200 million Hunter Downs irrigation scheme has received a $276,000 grant from the Government's newly expanded community irrigation fund.

A group of South Island artists has stepped into the fray over the expansion of farming in the Mackenzie Basin, warning that spreading irrigation is a threat to a "magical landscape of blue and turquoise lakes".

Widening the Government funding criteria to develop irrigation schemes is a good move, but funds for capital works would be even more welcome, Otago irrigation scheme proponents say.