Frequently asked Questions

The CPW Joint Hearing started on February 19th 2008 and went on to September 2008

The scheme requires a large number of resource consents from Environment Canterbury and Selwyn District Council. As Central Plains Water has 'requiring authority' status, it also has the power to designate and take land for the project if necessary (like Transit does for State Highways). This involves a notice of requirement being lodged with the Selwyn District Council and means that affected landowners cannot do anything with their land that may affect the irrigation scheme, without first getting written consent from Central Plains Water. Submissions have now closed on the water takes, resource consents and designations process and all applications and submissions in support/opposition will be heard at the same time during a Joint Hearing.

Two of the Hearing Commissioners have resigned
Dr Greg Ryder had a potential conflict of interest and
Robert Schofield, a prominent Wellington town planner, was convicted on two charges of importing illegal publications.

Present commissioners are;-

Philip Milne     RMA law (Chairman)
Raymond O`Callaghan     engineer
Andrew Fenemor     water and ecology scientist
Bob Nixon     planner

More information can be found here at the Central Plains Water page on the ECan Website

Here is information about The Resource Management Act (RMA) and these are the Key Issues of the The Resource Management Act

As at 24 July 2007, CPW is facing three court challenges.

1. CPW are seeking in the Court of Appeal to overturn a High Court decision granting priority of "A" class Waimakariri water to Ngai Tahu. We understand the Court of Appeal is unlikely to hear this matter until early 2008.
2. Synlait has applied to the Environment Court to appeal a decision granting priority of water from the Rakaia river to CPW.
3. The Malvern Hills Society has applied to the Environment Court for a declaration which will nullify the Selwyn District Council`s ability to designate land for the CPW irrigation scheme. This Hearing is to commence 6 August 2007.

According to the latest CPW document on economics: Economic Impact and Cost Benefit Assessment Central Plains Irrigation Scheme May 2007, prepared by Philip Donnelly, the updated total off farm, on farm expenditure is estimated at $682m. The scheme`s capital costs are estimated as follows:

• Off-farm works $6,826/ha (water to the gate)
• On-farm irrigation development $2,650/ha - $3,000/ha
• On-farm associated development $550/ha
• Dairy specific $4,320/ha

The report assumes that approx. 50% of the direct target area (i.e. 30,000ha) is currently under irrigation and, therefore, the scheme is replacing well water with surface water with respect to this land....as a consequence replacement of well water with surface water, that an additional 15,000ha within the scheme`s catchment will be irrigated. Including 10,250ha of dryland, it is assumed around 85,000 ha will benefit from the scheme.

The report assumes the area of irrigated land will result in

• 46,500ha of dairy
• 15,250ha intensive crop
• 10,250ha mixed livestock dairy support and crop with a further 10,250ha of dry land
• 3000ha of intensive stock finishing