Water storage in the Hawke's Bay applauded

News that Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has commenced a detailed feasibility study for water storage infrastructure to serve central Hawke’s Bay, is being applauded by Federated Farmers.

“29,000 hectares, or 83 percent, of central Hawke’s Bay’s Ruataniwha Plains is unirrigated and that illustrates the economic potential water storage represents,” says Kevin Mitchell, Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay provincial president.

“It’s really positive to see Hawke’s Bay Regional Council realise that summer is not something to be scared of but with water storage, could become an incredibly productive season.

“Ironically in an El Nino weather pattern, we’re much better placed than we were this time last year. That doesn’t diminish the need to future proof the nation’s economic base.

“Water storage is not charity but makes strong economic sense. Farmers will buy the water that is stored so Hawke’s Bay Regional Council estimates a return of between 6 to 10 percent. Canterbury’s Opuha Dam, for instance, generates eight dollars of economic activity for each dollar invested.

“This detailed study, which follows on from a study commissioned last year, would look at a series of dams as the Ruataniwha Plains seems unsuited to one large facility.

“These dams could have capacities from 9 million cubic metres (m3) to as much as 30 million m3. Put another way, that’s a storage equivalent of 4,500 to as much as 15,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

“The plan is for gravity fed distribution using water taken from high river flows during winter.

“We’re happy to see the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry back this latest study, too. Given water storage draws on existing water sources, it’s great to have a proactive regional council leading the way.

“Having heard the Hon. David Carter say on the radio that climate variation will make weather increasingly unpredictable, I think it’s important the Government makes the storage of water a priority. That means treating it as infrastructure, every bit as vital as our roads.

“Federated Farmers and councils like the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are keen to future proof farming but it’s really a national need. 93.2 percent of the export income farmers generate each year, some $23 billion, resides outside the farm gate.

“If that’s not an incentive, I don’t know what is,” Mr Mitchell concluded.