CIF Project Summary: Rangitaiki Plains Community Irrigation Strategy
Grant No: 09/06
Last updated: 09 December 2009
Contact details
Name of Applicant Group: Whakatane District Council/Environment Bay of Plenty
Contact person: Haydn Read
Address: Whakatane District Council, Private Bag 1002, Whakatane 3158
Telephone: (07) 306 0500
Facsimile: (07) 307 0718
Email: haydnr@whakatane.govt.nz
Project details
Status: In progress
CIF funding: $62,500
Total project funding: $125,000
Proposed start date: 2009-07
Proposed finish date: 2011-05
Region: Bay of Plenty
Project description
The purpose of the strategic water study (‘Rangitaiki Plains Community Irrigation Strategy’) is to:
- Determine whether it is possible to significantly facilitate and enhance agricultural and horticultural production and associated economic growth through an efficient, integrated and sustainable local authority led Community Irrigation Scheme(s) and associated infrastructure.
The issue/opportunity
At present irrigation on the Rangitaiki Plains is largely the domain of individual landowners. There is little or no coordination of irrigation water sources and infrastructure. The Whakatane District Council (WDC) owns and operates the Plains Water Scheme but this is ‘stretched’ by increasing demand and is not available for irrigation.
A Council led water strategy with the aim of evaluating a possible Community Irrigation Scheme(s) would allow proper planning, evaluation and coordination at a district level which is considered necessary to avoid inappropriate rural irrigation related infrastructure. The proposed water strategy is to follow a logical sequence using the best available expertise and advice. The proposed approach will allow WDC, Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP), landowners, ratepayers and stakeholders to have input and determine the best outcomes and a fairer water resource allocation for the community.
This community approach to water allocation and management has been seen to be highly effective in other regions. By coordinating all stakeholders in the decision making process often leads to far better outcomes in terms of resolving actual or perceived conflicts around water allocation and ultimately a better environmental outcome.
The context/background
The Rangitaiki Plains encompass the area between Whakatane and Matata in the north (along the coast) inland to Kawerau/ Te Teko/Awakeri in the south. The rivers run northwards to the coast – the Whakatane River discharges at the eastern margin, the Tarawera River on the western margin and the Rangitaiki River centrally. The 3 rivers are very significant watercourses by North Island standards and some adjacent landowners are making use of the surface water sources for irrigation purposes. There is a combined Plains land area of approx 30,000ha.
The proposed strategic water study also encompasses the Rangitaiki Plains groundwater system comprised of shallow unconfined aquifers up to 70m deep and deep confined aquifers with a basement of approx 400m. There is a lack of knowledge of the groundwater resource availability/sustainability although Environment Bay of Plenty is presently conducting studies on the resource.
Given the climate, irrigation of the lighter soils in particular has the potential to substantially boost agricultural and horticultural production. The mainstay of the Plains is dairying. Maize production (mainly associated with dairy supplementary feed) is also very significant on the better quality soils. Horticultural crops include kiwifruit with some berry, olive, fejoa, citrus and vegetable cropping.
Irrigation water availability during summer and autumn dry spells in particular, has the potential to substantially increase dairy production and possibility encourage expansion onto the lighter soils. There is also likely to be expansion of horticulture onto the drier alluvial plains to the south.
Increased product may well supply the local Fonterra Dairy factory, kiwifruit packhouses and fruit and vegetable markets locally and beyond the district.
Irrigation water availability may stimulate small block holders to specialise in intensive-high value crops.
The economic flow-on from development to towns such as Edgecumbe, Te Teko and Whakatane has the potential to hugely benefit areas which are recognised as lower socio economic centres.
There is opportunity for enhanced development due to a coordinated approach reducing cost and increasing availability of irrigation water.
In summary the Strategy is expected to promote irrigation and development in appropriate areas and result in the economic benefit of land realised to higher potential.
Methods
It is intended to:
- Determine what is known about the groundwater and surface water resources including wastewaters suitable for irrigation – their status, availability, allocation, nature/condition. Prepare a technical literature review in conjunction with EBOP.
- Carry out a gap analysis of essential information needs and determine if and how these gaps can be filled and if so in what time frame.
- Obtain an up to date water allocation report based on water permits and general takes (from EBOP).
- Obtain an up to date environmental flow report from EBOP for the management of rivers (including minimum flow requirements).
- Compile a water demand report and determine landowner and community needs for irrigation, taking account of present and predicted future requirements, possible effects of climate change and economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes. Identify the areas of greatest demand and the degree of interest in supporting a local government led water strategy with a view to promoting a Community Irrigation Scheme(s) for the Plains.
- Define and compare the economic, social and environmental benefits of a Community Irrigation Scheme approach versus the adhoc individual landowner approach. Determine whether a Community Irrigation Scheme approach would facilitate growth and economic development.
- Consider opportunities for using waste water from industrial and municipal sources for irrigation.
- Ascertain water quality requirements and match these with potential sources.
- Identify opportunities to smooth water demand (for example early spring kiwifruit frost protection water use followed by maize establishment irrigation followed by horticultural crop and pasture and forage crop irrigation) and how best to manage water reticulation infrastructure to ensure existing pipe/canal networks are not doubled up.
- Identify opportunities that may exist with linking irrigation supplies and improving the existing Plains Water Scheme (non irrigation supply).
- Evaluate the Matahina Dam pipeline option (previously considered excessive capital cost) versus the development of a network of deep bores or river abstraction points as the source of the Plains Community Irrigation supply.
- Increase the knowledge of the performance and use of drainage of canal systems on the Plains for possible irrigation network.
The findings, first order concept plans and recommendations will be made available for consultation with the Rangitaiki Plains Community. The resulting report will be presented to Council for assessment and approval.
It is proposed this strategic study be carried out over the period November 2009 to 30 June 2011.
Contact for Enquiries
Senior Project Adviser
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
WELLINGTON 6140
Telephone: (04) 894 0632
Contact this person
