Timing of irrigation meeting ‘unfortunate’

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32640, 23 June 1971, Page 3

Timing of irrigation meeting ‘unfortunate’

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, June 22.

The timing of the meeting of the Canterbury Progress League on July 5 to discuss irrigation policy is regarded as “rather unfortunate” by the Minister of Works (Mr Allen).

“Earlier, the findings would have been of considerable interest to the committee studying irrigation policy,” the Minister says, in a letter to Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab., Wigram). “If later, it would have given the Government a good indication of public reaction to the proposed revised policy.

“If it is held now as planned, I would see the' meeting’s most useful function as a gathering and consolidation of Canterbury farmers’ thoughts on irrigation, and as a preliminary to a unified regional approach.” The letter was written after a meeting held in the Minister’s office a week ago, at which the . Canterbury, members, Messrs Connelly, C. C. A. McLachlan, H. E. L. Pickering and R. L. G. Talbot were present. NATIONAL POLICY Mr Allen said that the report being prepared by a committee of the Water Allocation Council would concern national irrigation policy. “It cannot be expected that solutions to the many problems faced by irrigators and potential irrigators in Canterbury will be specifically dealt with in the report," Mr Allen said. “The committee, however, was made well aware of these problems, and I am sure they were given careful consideration when recommendations were being drafted.” Mr Allen said that some of the points studied by the committee were:

The shortcomings of present irrigation policy. The feasibility of local control for irrigation schemes. The role of irrigation in the economy. The most suitable method of

financing irrigation development. Means to improve unsatisfactory schemes. “The report is practically complete, and I expect it to be publicly released during the second week in August,” Mr Allen said. ECONOMIC LIMITS

“Concern has been expressed that available water resources are insufficient for the full irrigation development of Canterbury, and that supplementing these resources should be investigated. I concur with these views, but would emphasise the following: “It may never be economic to irrigate all the land that can be commanded. Available water should be used where it will give the best return (that is, on the better soils). “There is still scope for considerable development without the need to provide expensive storage structures. For example, the Rakaia River is virtually untouched, only about half the water in the Rangitata diversion race is used for irrigation, and there are considerable reserves of subsurface water in parts of Canterbury. BETTER USE “As readily available water supplies become scarce more efficient means of using water will need to be developed. “Canterbury river valleys are generally unsuitable as reservoir sites because of their steep grades and very high riverbed loads. “The possibility of diverting water from Westland to ! Canterbury is superficially , attractive, but would be sp expensive that the necessary works could not be econ- : omically justified in any circumstances that can be . realistically foreseen at . present. “Multi-purpose use will be ’ stressed for future proposals, 1 and this will assist the economics and spread the 1 financial load.”

Mr Allen said that thei water, resources of the; Waimakariri River had been reported on by the North Canterbury Catchment Board, which was now studying the Rakaia, as some Rakaia water was likely to be required outside the North Canterbury area, the board had been asked to confer with the South Canterbury Catchment Board when planning use of these resources. OTHER NEEDS

Water was needed for many purposes other than irrigation; before it was allocated for that purpose, all other potential uses must be considered. One purpose of the Water and Soil Conservation Act, 1967, was to enable all potential users to be heard. “This process of managing the use of water is primarily a regional matter, handled by the regional water boards,” Mr Allen said. “To date alii major irrigation schemes have been promoted, constructed and run by the Government. The 1967 act introduced more regional responsibility in water matters. I expect new Government policy for irrigation will continue this trend. “The central Government will continue to be involved in irrigation, but I believe it important that future schemes be initiated and promoted regionally by the local people.”