Irrigators get free water

Press, 5 October 1984, Page 14

Irrigators get free water

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington Irrigators on the ill-fated Maniototo irrigation scheme in Central Otago will get their water supplies at no charge during this financial year. This is the result of a

recommendation to the Minister of Works and Development, Mr Colman, from the National Water and Soil Conservation Authority. Mr Colman has also been asked to let the Dunedin office of the Ministry enter into conditional agreements with irrigators on his behalf

for the supply of water. Thus, irrigators will get water supplied before the scheme may be turned on. In December, 1983, the then Government decided to reduce the area to be served by the Maniototo scheme from 9300 ha to 3853 ha. At the same time, it approved a further $4,286,000 to bring the cost of the scheme to Eden Creek on the west side to $26,969,000. Some of the headworks are shared with , a power scheme. Construction of the scheme has now reached the stage when commissioning has begun and a supply of water, albeit irregular and subject to possible interruption because of commissioning demands, may be made to irrigators. Originally the Maniototo scheme was designed to provide water to 9300 ha on both sides of the Taieri River, plus 800 ha with water pumped. Ninety-five individual farm units and 72 fanners on the Maniototo Plain would have been served.

The truncated scheme will provide water to 3853 ha on the west side of the river only and will serve 26 farmers.

A dam has been buit across the Loganburn to provide storage in the Great Moss Swamp for the irrigation scheme, and a diversion dam has been built across the Taieri River to divert water into a head race and tunnel to a power station.

The scheme was approved in 1976 but after prolonged delays the Ministry of Works expected to be able

to supply water by December, 1984. It is now proposed that 1985-86 be the first season, but it will be possible to supply irrigators this season with irregular supplies of uncertain quality. Under the Public Works Act, 1981, the Minister in .such circumstances may agree to provide water at no charge.