8. Attachments

8.1. Attachments included in this report:

1.  Extracts from Report to The Commissioner of Works by An Interdepartmental Committee on The Water Resources of The Mackenzie Basin 1966

2.  Order in Council 1968 and Order in Council 1969

3.  Newspaper Articles – 1968-1969

8.2 Attachments are printed in a separate report and available on request:

4. Water Rights for Upper Waitaki Electric Power Development (as applied for)

5. Public Consultation (from Volume 1 1990 Application for Water Rights May 1990)

6. Joint Agreement to Electricity Corporation’s Water Rights (November 1990)

7. Separate Agreements In Relation To Water Rights (November 1990)

EXTRACTS FROM:

REPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF WORKS BY AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE MACKENZIE BASIN 1966

ORDER OF REFERENCE

To enquire into the water needs of farmers in the Tekapo-Pukaki interfluve and on the left bank of the Tekapo, particularly as they may be affected by the proposed diversion of water for Tekapo to Pukaki. A reasonably long term view should be taken. (Note. The Committee was later requested to extend its enquiry to the Pukaki-Ohau interfluve.)

To reconcile farming needs with those of the Electricity Department having regard to human factors and to the economics of the two uses, and also to the possibility of releasing more water to farmers during the summer than during the winter.

To consider in broad terms how the farming water should be distributed.

To report on any other matters relative to the improvement of farming in the area, particularly in relation to water; to the promotion of soil conservation; and to the protection of the interests of the Electricity Department.

Although the Committee must have regard to the economic practicability of any works it may propose, it is not required to state how the money should be found.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

LAND USE

The Mackenzie Country farming output is steadily increasing and the future potential is very great.

POWER DEVELOPMENT

When the hydro-electric power development of the whole Waitaki Valley is completed the NZED will be able to use most of the surface water of the Mackenzie Basin through stations of 2,300 MW installed capacity, capable of generating a nominal 11,000 Gwh/annum.

LAND USE REQUIREMENTS

Although the quantities of water required for land use will be significant, they are not large enough to require modification of power development proposals. Water supply sources and systems should be planned as soon as possible to meet all foreseeable demands for the next 30-40 years and to permit orderly expansion of reticulation by stages, as required. This planning should be carried out urgently to permit land use water supplies to be integrated with power works that are being planned now and that could under construction within the next few years.

Stock Water

…

 Irrigation

Provision for irrigation of up to 11,000 acres by 1980 and up to 49,000 acres by the year 2000 is thought to be reasonable and desirable, although this probably implies an optimistic estimate of the rate at which irrigation development is likely to go ahead.

The irrigation of 49,000 acres is estimated to require up to 500 cusecs of water mainly during the summer and autumn, with an average seasonal usage of about 150,000 acre feet…. Further stages could be reached which would require more water.

POWER DEVELOPMENT COMMITMENTS

During the next 15 or 20 years, power developments are likely to be quite properly taking over most of the water resources of the Mackenzie Basin. These developments should be planned in conjunction with and to assist the utilisation of water for optimum development of the land potential of the area. NZED can expect to have the use of all available water until it is actually required for land uses. Decisions to incorporate or by-pass tributary streams such as Irishman, Mary Burn and Twizel, should be made on the basis of these conditions.

Compensation

Apart from the normal provisions for land purchase and compensation, the NZED will have a continuing responsibility to make available Compensation Water and Replacement Water (6.1 and 6.2). …

RECOMMENDATIONS

Planning of water developments for hydro-electric power generation and land use should be co-ordinated to make the best economic use of all the available waters of the Mackenzie Basin.

All land not required at present for land use should be regarded as available now for power generation, if economic.

In the future as land development occurs and more water can be used profitably and efficiently, adequate supplies should be made available from the most economic and suitable sources, whether these be power works or other sources.

To assist the planning of these future works to best advantage, the District Commissioner of Works, Christchurch, should arrange for an investigation into details of ways and means of satisfying present and future water requirements for land use so that sources and points of supply may be determined. The timetable for this investigation and also for the provision of those facilities which need integrating with power works, should be determined in conjunction with the Power Planning Committee.

For the investigation of land use requirements the DCW will need a great deal of co-operation and assistance, not only from local Mackenzie Country interests but also from the various sections of Government Departments that have specialist activities relevant to water use in the Mackenzie Country.

A committee under the chairmanship of the District Commissioner of Works, Christchurch, should be continuously available to assist in co-ordinating the future development of the water resources of the Mackenzie Basin. Desirable membership of this committee would be representatives from:

Federated Farmers (Mackenzie Branch), Mackenzie County Council, Waitaki Catchment Commission, Department of Lands and Survey, Department of Agriculture, DSIR, MOW Power Division.