A water catchment plan that could result in a dam being built inland from Dunback and enhancements to the Shag River will be outlined at a public meeting at Palmerston on October 26.
Waihemo Water Catchment Society spokesman Don McLenaghan, of Dunback, said the society planned to apply for funding to the Irrigation Acceleration Fund recently set up by the Government.
The application would be lodged before Christmas to fund further investigation, Mr McLenaghan said, with funds matched equally by fundraising from the members of the water catchment society.
If the Shag River dam inland from Dunback was built, it would create opportunities for fishing and other recreational uses, Mr McLenaghan said.
In addition, fishing on the Shag River would improve with better flows from water retained by the dam.
The Shag River Water Catchment Society had 45 members and Mr McLenaghan hoped membership would increase after the public meeting at Palmerston.
Funds put in by members would convert to shares as the scheme was developed, he said.
Speakers at the meeting will include Otago Regional Council chairman Graeme Martin, MP for Waitaki Jacqui Dean, Robin Wells from the North Otago Irrigation committee and Chris Arbuckle from Maf.
A meeting of the Waihemo Water Catchment Society will be held at the Palmerston Sports hall on October 26.
