Irrigators hit rough water

The future of two irrigation companies hangs in the balance due to consenting hurdles and Labour’s cancellation of Government funding for new schemes.

Hurunui Water Project in North Canterbury and Hunter Downs in South Canterbury will hold shareholder meetings over the next fortnight to discuss options for the scheme that has split the community there.

Hurunui Water Project has also bought into an argument with Nga¯i Tahu by seeking additional consent to expand the scheme and discharge 160 tonnes of nitrogen a year in the nearby Waipara catchment – already a nutrient ‘‘red zone’’.

Hurunui Water’s chief executive Chris Pile said his company had put the Waipara application on hold while it talked through the issues with Nga¯ i Tahu. The company had consents for Hurunui catchment and could go ahead without the Waipara consent, he said.

An Environment Canterbury panel has recommended granting discharge consents to Hurunui Water subject to ‘‘adaptive management’’ conditions.

Counsel for Nga¯ i Tahu, James Winchester said granting consent would be environmentally reckless.

Chief executives of the Hurunui Water and Hunter Downs irrigation companies will present shareholders with proposals from leading industry players including rich lister Gary Rooney.