ODT

Central OtagoApril 21

Minimum flows concerns raised

CanterburyMarch 16

Waimate council to decide on irrigation investment

A decision on whether the Waimate District Council will continue to financially back its shareholding in a proposed irrigation scheme will be made on today, after hearing from the company wanting to build it.

North OtagoSeptember 22

Irrigation change 'win-win outcome'

Farmers have spent ''tens of thousands of dollars'' and considerable time on a plan to cut the irrigation take from the Maerewhenua River, an Environment Canterbury hearing was told in Oamaru yesterday.

North OtagoSeptember 22

$7 million to investigate irrigation

A feasibility study to prove whether a new irrigation scheme in Waimate covering up to 40,000ha is viable can now start, after the Ministry of Primary Industries agreed to give $7 million over the next two years.

Central OtagoMay 23

Irrigators mull options for upgrade

Farmers between Duntroon and Kurow are considering plans to upgrade their irrigation schemes and preliminary estimates for the work range from almost $30 million to $53.6 million.

North OtagoMay 4

Support for irrigation scheme means feasibility study next

"Clear support from the community'' buying shares in a new irrigation scheme for Waimate means it can now go to the next stage - assessing whether it is viable.

Central OtagoDecember 10

$750,000 grant for irrigators

The announcement of a $750,000 grant from the Government's Irrigation Acceleration Fund for a Manuherikia irrigators' group is ''more than exciting'', it's ''really, really great news'', Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper says.

North OtagoOctober 30

Irrigation benefits all clear

The benefits North Otago communities continue to receive from local irrigation schemes have been highlighted to two Government Ministers.

NewsOctober 20

Story of irrigation told in book

The shift from state to community ownership of the Maniototo irrigation scheme amounted to an ''extraordinary and unexpected gift'' to the farming community, local farmer and irrigation veteran Geoff Crutchley says.

Central OtagoJuly 29

Irrigation prospectus withdrawn

Tarras Water Ltd has withdrawn its second consecutive prospectus after failing to find a dry shareholder for its proposed $36.5 million Tarras irrigation scheme and may have to ''concede defeat''.

Central OtagoJuly 28

No water investment

The Otago Regional Council's relationship with Tarras Water had got to the point there was no way it could become a dry shareholder, council chairman Stephen Woodhead said.

NewsJune 26

ORC rates rise less than 3%

A decision not to invest in Tarras Water's irrigation scheme means Otago ratepayers will only see a 2.97% increase in their Otago Regional Council general rates this year.

North OtagoFebruary 24

ORC's Tarras decision questioned

The Otago Regional Council's reversal of a panel recommendation not to invest in a Tarras irrigation scheme makes a ''mockery'' of the public consultation process, some submitters say.

Central OtagoFebruary 24

ORC risk deemed 'minimal'

The Otago Regional Council's approach to the funding request from Tarras Water Ltd means it faces minimal risk to its investment, Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtis says.

NewsFebruary 23

Irrigation restrictions loom in dry spell

Another dry spell is making its presence felt in Otago as rivers drop to levels at which irrigation restrictions may soon be triggered.

Central OtagoFebruary 17

Irrigation consternation

Water and funding of irrigation schemes has been a contentious issue throughout Otago of late, specifically whether or not the Otago Regional and Central Otago District councils should support the Tarras Irrigation Scheme.

North OtagoOctober 20

Irrigation a factor in flooding, report says

Irrigation is being blamed for intensifying flooding during heavy rain, raising issues about the long-term effects on roads, Waitaki District Council roading manager Michael Voss says in a report on the district's August floods.

Central OtagoOctober 2

More against proposals

Submissions on a proposal which could determine the future of irrigation projects in Central Otago close today.

North OtagoSeptember 11

$7.2 million irrigation expansion under way

A $7.2 million expansion of the North Otago Irrigation Company's scheme has started, providing water to another 800ha on the North Otago downlands.

North OtagoAugust 24

Court upholds irrigation decision

The decision to allow high-country irrigation has been upheld in a landmark High Court decision for development of land in dry high-country catchments such as the Mackenzie Country.

Central OtagoAugust 16

'Ground-breaking' support welcomed

Despite a loan guarantee worth about $20 million less than hoped for, developers of a Tarras irrigation scheme are pleased and grateful the Central Otago District Council is "breaking totally new ground".

North OtagoAugust 10

Irrigation pond work ahead of schedule

The creation of an irrigation pond that could provide water for a 2500ha area around Waitaki is ahead of schedule and should be operational next month.

Central OtagoAugust 9

More details sought on irrigation

Tarras Water Ltd has been given a second chance to provide more information on its proposed irrigation scheme to the Otago Regional Council before it decides whether to put the case for investment out for the public to have their say.

North OtagoAugust 8

Irrigation schemes' investment potential touted

Irrigation schemes in Otago could prove a profitable start-up investment for both local councils and foreign investors, Primary Industries Minister David Carter says.

North OtagoJune 29

Irrigation scheme put to farmers

A decade-long plan to drought-proof farms in the Waihao basin, west of Waimate, could come a step closer to reality next week, when farmers are given a chance to approve the tentative $37.5 million cost to build the Waihao Downs Irrigation Scheme.