A Lack of water in Canterbury has led to a South Canterbury farmer having his irrigation plans dashed by Environment Canterbury (ECan), even though he has already spent millions of dollars converting his 210ha farm to dairying.
A resource consent application by Pareora farmer Bruce Eggleton for groundwater for Candy Dairy Ltd from the Cannington Basin, inland from Timaru, has been declined by ECan-appointed commissioners Robert Nixon and Mike Bowden.
ECan chief executive Dr Bryan Jenkins said yesterday the commissioners' decision and the concerns of submitters reflected the growing recognition that irrigation extraction in Canterbury was reaching sustainability limits.
"There are already restrictions on existing water takes from the Pareora River and further reductions in reliability were a concern. Groundwater interference effects on existing water users in the Cannington Basin were also a concern," he said.
Dr Jenkins expressed sympathy for Mr Eggleton's personal circumstances, but noted there was a substantial risk in incurring development costs in advance of obtaining the consent for water upon which the development depended. The applicant has been advised of the decision.
The application by Mr Eggleton had been opposed by a number of submitters. Those in the Cannington Basin were concerned about reduced yields from existing bores or springs on nearby properties.
Groundwater from the Cannington Basin contributed to flows in the Pareora River and submitters in the lower Pareora River area expressed concern about the effects of the proposed abstraction on in-stream flows and water levels, and on associated springs, groundwater resources and water quality.
On the weight of evidence and the absence of evidence to the contrary, the commissioners found that the effects of the proposed take would be more than minor on the Cannington Basin groundwater and surface flows of the Pareora River.
