New funding for irrigation

Noting that the excellent pasture was the result of irrigation, Guy announced $6.64 million for Stage Two of the Central Plains Water scheme, $898,000 for the Sheffield Water Scheme and $312,000 for the Hinds Managed Aquifer Recharge Pilot Study.

Guy says CPW is a significant investment in the Canterbury region which would transform the economy and help grow exports.

He says farmers had to comply with strict environment plans around water use.

"Importantly, the Central Plans water storage as it progresses into Stage Two is going to take a huge amount of pressure off the ground water aquifer," said Guy.

"As a result of that, that water is going to flow through to Lake Ellesmere and Te Waihora – I think to the benefit of that lake, by about 15% or 20% improvements in flow, which I think is significant."

The CPW funding is earmarked for engineering design for Stage Two of scheme, which aims to extend coverage by about 25,000ha, depending on shareholder uptake.

The Sheffield Water Scheme is CPW's smaller, stand-alone project aiming to irrigate about 3500ha to 4500ha with water from the Waimakariri and Kowai Rivers.

The third funding announcement was for the innovative Hinds Managed Aquifer Recharge Pilot Study. The project aims to recharge and reduce the nitrogen load in aquifers in the Hinds area by channeling clean water from the Rangitata into a 'leaky pond' near Lagmhor, inland from Ashburton.

Ecan's project leader for the study, Brett Painter, said the funds would help pay for the already completed pond and a series of monitoring wells. The project is to be officially opened next month.

Wednesday's announcement was made at Pemberley Farm, at Charing Cross, about 40km due west of Christchurch. Farm manager Valerie Walpot finishes about 15,000 sheep and 1600 cattle a year on the 440ha property, of which about 390ha is already irrigated by well water.

Owners, the Cross Brothers, have been firm supporters of the CPW scheme and the farm is expected to convert to CPW's Stage Two.

Ground water is becoming increasingly unreliable, and Walpot said converting to the scheme would be part of being a good environmental citizen and taking pressure off the aquifers.