Mon, 12 Oct 2009 4:39p.m.
By Lachlan Forsyth
Details have emerged of a vastly downsized irrigation scheme to water 60,000ha of farm-land in mid-Canterbury.
The initial, ambitious plan to build a 55m high dam that would flood a whole valley is expected to be declined, forcing Central Plains Water to think again.
It was a $400 million irrigation scheme that was to suck water from two Canterbury rivers, but Environment Canterbury commissioners rejected that scheme - so its backers have gone to them with a more modest proposal.
"We wanted a storage lake, they decided we can't have it. I hope they decide we can have some water," says Pat Robertson, Central Plains Water.
In April the commissioners indicated they had rejected the plan for a 300 billion litre reservoir that would have flooded homes in the secluded Wainiwaniwa Valley.
"We've got no problems with irrigation - our main problem is people are being forced to give their land whether they want to or not," says Liz Weir, Malvern Hills Protection Society.
Now the scheme's backers say they will take whatever water rights they are given.
"Obviously the shareholders would have preferred to have storage, they'd get a more reliable source of water but any water is an advantage long term," says Ms Robertson.
Opponents though still are not happy, as the toned-down scheme will effect some residents regardless.
The original scheme to irrigate 60,000ha of land had promised to pump more than $800 million into the economy. Despite this downsizing, its backers say it will still be worth around half of that.
"Obviously disappointing for everybody, particularly the shareholders who funded it, but looking out at the next 20, 50, 100 years it's worthwhile putting up a great struggle for," says Ms Robertson.
"Average folk are being asked to give up their land for a scheme that more and more looks like it's going towards corporate dairying," says Ms Weir.
After almost a decade, both sides are taking comfort in the knowledge that this bitter debate may finally be drawing to a close.
3 News