Hurunui Scheme on hold for up to one year

Hurunui scheme on hold for up to one year
MARC GREENHILL - The Press

Consent applications for a Hurunui irrigation scheme have been suspended
while its backers try to avoid a court battle with opponents.

The Hurunui Water Project said yesterday it would put the consent process
on hold for up to a year while the Canterbury Water Management Strategy
addressed water storage issues in the region.

The scheme would include a 75-metre-high dam on the Hurunui River's south
branch and raise the level of Lake Sumner through a weir to irrigate about
42,000 hectares of farmland.

Project manager Amanda Loeffen said she hoped the move would be viewed as
a goodwill gesture.

"I think the way to go is this collaborative process that's being promoted
by the water management strategy," she said. "I see it as a win-win for
all parties."

The scheme's consent applications attracted more than 1000 submissions,
with about 75 per cent against the plans. A river conservation order was
being appealed at the same time.

Loeffen said it made no sense for the parties to fight each other in the
Environment Court.

"Unfortunately, with the way the legal system is set up, you're forced
into an adversarial position where you have to fight your corner and it's
very difficult for people to share information," she said.

Forest & Bird South Island conservation manager Chris Todd said the scheme
was "outside the bounds" of the water strategy.

"As long as those consent applications are sitting on the table, we need
to remain vigilant," he said.

Forest & Bird would talk to Hurunui irrigators if the plans did not
include a dam on the river's main stem, he said.

"If they really wanted to express goodwill they would withdraw the entire
consent application."

Opposition group Hurunui Dambusters will hold a demonstration tomorrow
from 12.15pm. The group will walk from the Bridge of Remembrance in Cashel
St along the Avon River to Victoria Square.