Friday, 16 November 2012 13:27

Forum report ‘weakened’

Written by Pamela Tipa

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IrrigationNZ says last minute changes to the Land and Water Forum's Third Report, 'Managing Within Limits', have weakened its integrity.

"A package that provided a sound platform to support sustainable future growth in New Zealand had been produced," says IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis. "However, last minute changes, particularly to the water allocation section, mean IrrigationNZ now questions whether the Land & Water Forum is the collaborative consensus- based process it claims to be?"
"Certainty is the key if irrigators are to invest in sustainability. Irrigators need long-duration consents and an explicit right of renewal," says Curtis. "Short durations and uncertainty of renewal will produce reactive and high- risk thinking which creates scenarios prohibitive to capital investment. If the community wants environmental gains without job losses or food price increases, then New Zealand must implement a resource management system that allows for long-term investment and thinking."
There is also a need for community-driven water infrastructure solutions to be consented for over 50 years. This would improve the viability of initial and on-going capital investment. In return for this, IrrigationNZ agrees consents need to adapt in a timely manner to environmental limit changes. "This is the most logical package for water allocation," says Curtis. Having recently returned from an overseas study tour of irrigation developments in the UK, Israel and Australia he says, "It is also consistent with water allocation internationally."
"Irrigators have committed to more sustainable farming practices. Certainty, long-term thinking and catchment-based water management are the only way water quality and quantity objectives set by the wider community will be achieved in New Zealand."
Curtis says there are many positives within the final report, including the need for; community-driven catchment-based water management; industry 'Good Management Practice' as the preferred route; development of community water infrastructure to address over-allocation; and a move to plan-led water management – IrrigationNZ has major concerns about parts of the water allocation chapter.