increase font size
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Lynda Murchison.
Federated Farmers believes the investment of $3.4 million into the Hurunui Water Project by Crown Irrigation Investments will ensure the future resilience of North Canterbury.
"The announcement of the investment is welcome news for our community, which has been decimated by the most prolonged drought in New Zealand recorded history," Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Lynda Murchison says.
Those worried about whether irrigation in the Hurunui will have adverse effects on water quality can be reassured.
"The scheme has tight environmental controls and most farmers in the Hurunui are not looking to irrigation to enable land conversions.
"Farmers instead are looking for it to help support their current land uses with access to water to reduce their vulnerability to drought.
"It will also provide opportunities to improve in-stream habitat by boosting low flows when appropriate," she says.
Funding will be allocated in two phases, with $1.8m being applied to the feasibility phase and a further $1.6m will be available for the project commitment phase when the project is proven to be commercially viable.
"It’s great to see Crown Irrigation Investment delving into the national irrigation fund to back a province," Federated Farmers water spokesperson Chris Allen says.
"We know that investment into rural provinces has flow on effects to the national economy and so this is money well spent."
It’s anticipated the scheme will irrigate up to 21,000 hectares on the south side of the Hurunui River in North Canterbury. The scheme will take and store water from the Hurunui and Waitohi rivers using a pressurised piped distribution system.
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Farmers want the Government to scrap controversial freshwater rules that "put river spirits and ideology ahead of practical water use", says Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper.
As New Zealand marks International Day of Rural Women today, women from across the horticulture sector are calling attention to the crucial role they play in building a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient industry.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
DairyNZ has appointed Dr Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role - science partnerships & impact advisor - as part of a strategic refresh of the organisation's science leadership.
OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.
When I interview Rachel Cox, she is driving - on her way to her next meeting.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
