That was the message from Central Otago district councillor Stu Duncan yesterday as the council decided to pursue a Local Bill through Parliament to set a legislated minimum flow for the Manuherikia River — one of Otago’s most contested water resources.
The process was estimated to take up to two years and cost up to $250,000 — with council regional deals lead Dylan Rushbrook warning if no minimum flow was set, no decisions could be made on the future of Falls Dam.
The river irrigates more than 8000ha of Central Otago farmland, orchards and vineyards — and supplies drinking water to Omakau and Ophir.
Nearing the end of its lifespan, Falls Dam sits at the top of the river and stores water to release during the irrigation season.
Mr Rushbrook’s report to councillors noted investment decisions about the future of the dam could not be made until a minimum flow was settled.
After years of debate, the Otago Regional Council was due to impose a flow rate regime on the river through its land and water plan, but in October 2024 it was blocked by a last-minute change to the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill that stopped the regional council, or any council, from notifying freshwater plans while the present Resource Management Act reforms were under way.
Mr Rushbrook’s report stated the council did not have a position on what the flow rate should be, but councillors would need to settle on a minimum flow.
‘‘Prior to submitting the draft [Local] Bill, council will need to decide on a recommended flow rate.
‘‘Council will have the benefit of a significant engagement and consultation process to help inform that decision.
‘‘The draft [Local] Bill, with the recommended minimum flow rate, will go through the parliamentary decision-making process, which will enable interested parties to make submissions through the select committee process.’’
Responding to concerns raised about whether an election year was the right time to progress the Local Bill, Mr Rushbrook told councillors this was in fact the best time to act.
‘‘Any further delays and this mechanism may be taken away from us — if you delay there’s a risk this opportunity will close up,’’ he said.
Cr Duncan echoed that urgency.
‘‘The whole time I’ve been on the community board and council, this has been one of the biggest issues driving this valley,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve got an opportunity to put a peg in the sand — this is a process that allows us to do it, allows us to make a decision, where clearly others haven’t.
‘‘We can’t afford not to — if we want the next 100 years of water security in this valley, we have to do it.’’
