MHV had sought a 10-year replacement consent from ECan for permission to irrigate 56,500 hectares of farmland between the Ashburton and Rangitata rivers. The case was considered by an independent hearing commissioner but was not required to be publicly notified, which distressed local freshwater advocates who felt they were not able to have a say. Rally organiser Sara Campbell said ECan had failed in its duty of care, because it treated the health of Canterbury’s water as something to be balanced against economic gain.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/Stuff
More than a hundred people harallied at ECan’s offices on Thursday to show concern about the state of Canterbury’s water.
Protesters are making themselves heard outside the regional council offices in Christchurch after a mega irrigation consent was renewed without public input.
Replacement consent for the Mayfield Hinds Valetta (MHV) irrigation scheme was granted after an independent commissioner released a decision last week.
The Mayfield Hinds Valetta (MHV) irrigation scheme will service more than 50,000 hectares of private farmland for up to the next 10 years
Photo: SUPPLIED/ MHV Water
The 10-year consent is subject to a series of conditions, including a 15 percent reduction in nitrogen losses by 2025 and 25 percent by 2030, auditing of farm environment plans, monitoring ground and surface water quality and remediation and response plans.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) can review the consent if improvements are unable to be achieved. This consent is granted on the basis that the significant adverse cumulative effects on the receiving environment will be reduced and there will be measurable environmental improvements within the consent term, the hearing commissioner s report states.
Controversial irrigation scheme will hold farmers to account
27 Apr, 2021 04:21 AM
3 minutes to read
The Mayfield Hinds Valetta (MHV) irrigation scheme will service more than 50,000ha of private farmland for up to the next 10 years. Photo / MHV Water
The Mayfield Hinds Valetta (MHV) irrigation scheme will service more than 50,000ha of private farmland for up to the next 10 years. Photo / MHV Water
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By Adam Burns, Local Democracy Reporter
The boss of a water co-operative in Mid-Canterbury believes the onus is on its farmers after a controversial irrigation scheme renewal was given the go-ahead.
Replacement consent for the Mayfield Hinds Valetta (MHV) irrigation scheme was granted after an independent commissioner released a decision last week.