CIF Project Summary: Mt Ida Dam
Grant No: 08/04
Last updated: 15 October 2009
Contact details
Name of Applicant Group: Hawkdun Idaburn Irrigation Company
Contact person: Ken Gillespie
Address: Glen Ida, RD2 Oturehua
Telephone 1: 03 444 5817
Telephone 2: 027 221 1736
Email: helen.ken@xtra.co.nz
Project details
Status: In progress
CIF funding: $11,000
Total project funding: $22,000
Proposed start date: 2008-07
Proposed finish date: 2008-09
Region: Otago
Mt Ida dam site inspection notes [649K PDF]
Project description
To raise awareness of a proposed major 15Mm3 irrigation storage with community and interest groups.
To develop a proposed management structure and funding model to progress the project.
The issue/opportunity
The opportunity exists to utilise winter and spring runoff through storage in a major new reservoir using existing water take consents. This will enhance to opportunity for agricultural production and reduce production variability for up to 2000 ha in the dry areas of the Maniototo and Ida Valley in Central Otago.
The context/background
No major irrigation infrastructure has been constructed in this area since the 1930s. The proposal is reliant on water from mountain streams captured by way of the Mt Ida Water Race. The water take consents were recently granted and do not expire until 2037. The area is subject to climatic extremes and improving access to irrigation water in the summer – autumn through storage is one method of reducing the risks.
Methods
- Familiarise local community and interest groups with the proposal.
- Meet with District and Regional Council on water infrastructure enhancement issues.
- Develop management structure and funding options to progress project.
Project update: June 2009
The project had a successful field day at the proposed dam site on 12 February 2009 to inform the community and other interested parties of the scale and nature of the proposal. The proposal was generally well received and additional water storage considered necessary for this part of Otago. About 80 people attended including representatives from MAF, Otago Regional Council, Central Otago District Council, DoC, Fish & Game and local community and prospective irrigators.
Meeting held on 8 April 2009 at Wedderburn for potential irrigators was attended by 32 people representing over 15,000 ha. There was unanimous support to progress with financing and management options to provide a sound basis for individuals to confirm the viability for their properties.
Project update: February 2009
The project had a successful field day at the proposed dam site on 12 February 2009 to inform the community and other interested parties of the scale and nature of the proposal.
The proposal was generally well received and additional water storage considered necessary for this part of Otago. About 80 people attended including representatives from MAF, Otago Regional Council, Central Otago District Council, DoC, Fish & Game and local community and prospective irrigators.
Contact for Enquiries
Senior Project Adviser
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
WELLINGTON 6140
Telephone: (04) 894 0632
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