Award nominations set to close

Innovation, discovery and achievement making a positive contribution to irrigation and efficient water management are set to be rewarded by the industry's national body with an award that aims to uncover the industry's progressive and exciting happenings.

Entries are due to close for the 'Innovation in Irrigation' award coordinated by Irrigation New Zealand in association with Aqualinc.

The 2012 award is run in conjunction with the association's conference and expo to be held in Timaru in April. Sponsored by Aqualinc the award carries a cash first prize of $2500, as well as recognition and kudos, not only for the award winner but also those entrants selected as finalists.

The award promotes innovation and the benefit irrigation provides to communities throughout New Zealand. This second biennial award is IrrigationNZ's way to recognise new invention, ideas, systems or gadgets.

"There are a lot of good things happening in the irrigation space and IrrigationNZ is looking to recognise and reward those positive initiatives being undertaken within the industry, also identifying the wider community benefits as a result of irrigation," IrrigationNZ business manager Chris Coughlan says.

Nominations from irrigators, schemes, water user groups, environmental groups, industry, university students and researcher close on February 15.

Finalist entries will be showcased, and the official award presentation held at the IrrigationNZ conference in Timaru from April 2-4.