Four irrigation projects around the country are tapping into nearly $2 million in funding.Agriculture Minister David Carter said four South Island projects and one North Island project were granted $1.9m under the Community Irrigation Fund.The projects we
Four irrigation projects around the country are tapping into nearly $2 million in funding.
Agriculture Minister David Carter said four South Island projects and one North Island project were granted $1.9m under the Community Irrigation Fund.
The projects were:
* Maungaroa Irrigation Scheme, a new scheme in eastern Bay of Plenty that will pump and pipe water from the Kereru River to Te Kaha ($181,000);
* Lee Valley Community Water Augmentation Storage Dam, a new in river dam in the Upper Lee River to service the Waimea Plains, Tasman ($995,000);
* Hunter Downs Irrigation Scheme, a new scheme in South Canterbury distributing water from the Waitaki River via canals, pipes and pump stations ($276,000);
* Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme, Rangitata, upgrade of canal system to pipes ($158,000);
* Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Scheme, Rangitata, upgrade of canal system to pipes ($286,000).
"The effort and cost required to get a local water storage or irrigation scheme underway is considerable, and in many cases, too burdensome for communities to carry," Mr Carter said.
"Yet, it is reliable water storage and irrigation that is the foundation for success in New Zealand's rural communities."
Eligibility to the fund was widened in July to include technical design work.
