ORC consults on Manuherikia flows

Chatto Creek resident Matt Sole (left) chats to Otago Regional Council environmental resource scientist Pete Ravenscroft at a drop-in session at the Omakau District Community Centre yesterday about plans to set minimum flow levels in the Manuherikia River
Chatto Creek resident Matt Sole (left) chats to Otago Regional Council environmental resource scientist Pete Ravenscroft at a drop-in session at the Omakau District Community Centre yesterday about plans to set minimum flow levels in the Manuherikia River. Photo by Jono Edwards.
The Otago Regional Council wants to keep conversations flowing with Manuherikia irrigators about potential water restrictions in the river.

The council held two drop-in sessions in Omakau yesterday to determine what the community valued most about the river.

It is the first stage in a multi-year process in which it will set minimum flow levels on the river to protect its ecosystems and natural character.

Two weeks ago the council voted to accept independent commissioners' recommendation to restrict people taking water from the Lindis River when it flows at less than 900litres per second.

The restrictions, which begin in 2021, had some farmers saying it would make their farms uneconomic.

Ophir farmer Sam Leask said it was ''very early stages'' for the Manuherikia process, but he hoped the council would listen to irrigators' concerns.

''I'm hoping we can all come to an agreement. We don't want to have a war over this.

''What happened in the Lindis is definitely a concern.''

Some irrigators were worried about the impact strict flow levels would have on their farms, he said.

''That's their livelihood. It's a very dry climate out here.''

Chatto Creek resident Matt Sole said he hoped a minimum flow would protect the river's natural biodiversity.

''I'm all for irrigators using the water, but we have to save that river for our children and our children's children.

''In my opinion we're just borrowing the water, so we should leave the river in the state we found it.''

Sessions will be held today from 1pm-3pm and 6.30pm-8pm at the Oturehua Hall and at the same times tomorrow at the Cellar Door in Alexandra.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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