Additional pipeline notice
THE company behind a controversial Waitaki Valley irrigation pipeline construction project has been issued a further abatement notice by the Waitaki District Council, demanding that the company reach ‘‘key milestones’’ and achieve full compliance in less than 12 months.
The council issued an abatement notice to the KurowDuntroon Irrigation Company Ltd (KDIC) in August, ordering it to stop work on aboveground sections of the pipeline adjoining the Waitaki River near Kurow in its $45 million upgrade through the valley.
The irrigation company is replacing about 44km of ageing open canal with 37km of piped irrigation infrastructure, but after growing public concern the pipeline next to State Highway 83 was spoiling views in the area, the council investigated and found the work to be noncompliant with the company’s landuse consent, which stated the pipeline was to be below the road at what is known locally as the cemetery bluffs.
A statement released by the council this week said it had issued a second abatement notice to ‘‘further ensure that KDIC will meet strict timeframes, to confirm an engineering solution, and to have this authorised by council . . . directing the company to reach key milestones and achieve full compliance by September 2020’’.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said that included lodging a ‘‘likely’’ resource consent application in timely fashion, starting work as soon as possible and completing it by the time stipulated.
He said it was a necessary move given the circumstances.
‘‘It’s an absolutely unfortunate situation that has occurred and the council has been put in a very difficult position, which the company has acknowledged.
‘‘With blameless users, we’ve had to be mindful of them and make sure we’re not impacting other operations which are already being impacted enough with delays to getting water on to farms.’’
The company was also directed to ‘‘ensure suitable mitigation measures are undertaken where a loss of vegetation screening occurred at the Little Awakino River crossing, contrary to conditions of the resource consent’’.
KDIC chairman Geoff Keeling said the company was working towards a ‘‘pragmatic solution’’ to address the issue.
‘‘We’re following the process that’s been laid out in the abatement notice, and it’s up to us to meet them.’’