‘Irrigation – Building Prosperity, Opportunity and Resilience for All’

March 12, 2012

The establishment of a regional water entity could well be the way forward for Canterbury - and the place to debate this will be the IrrigationNZ conference in Timaru. Regional community driven solutions for water supply must be delivered in a timely fashion if the Christchurch economy is to get the stimulus it needs post earthquake.

Building irrigation schemes using PPP’s – Public Private Partnership’s, will be the focus of one of the key presenters, Greg Stanford, in the ‘Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure’ session. Stanford, general manager and technical and deputy chief executive of Tasmanian Irrigation will outline the Tasmanian experience across the broad spectrum of management issues related to irrigation development.

The state-owned Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd (TI) is half way through its task of developing a suite of regionally significant schemes as public-private partnerships in many of the island’s regions.

Stanford will also address how TI has engaged irrigator communities, managed stakeholder expectations, handled broader public interest, managed the project development phases, managed sales, managed construction and then handled the move to operations.

This is a presentation on irrigation development ‘in the round’. Find out how TI Pty Ltd synthesised into one consistent framework all the key aspects which need to come together to take a project from concept, to in-ground reality, to on-going operations.

Backing the Tasmanian infrastructure development experience will be farmer and irrigator Richard Gardener from Tunbridge in the Midlands of Tasmania. Gardener has been heading the push to develop the Midlands Water Scheme, the largest of Tasmania’s irrigation schemes - a partnership with landowners, private investors, and Federal and State Governments.

Gardner manages a 2600ha farm with 650ha pivot irrigated, producing poppies, cereals, seed crops and lucerne as well as sheep meat and wool. He was a key player in the lobbying efforts prior to the 2007 Australian Federal election that resulted in $140 million being allocated to Tasmania for irrigation development.

For a true farmer perspective and to align the ‘Tasmania Way’ with regional New Zealand, Gardner is a must hear for all farmers and irrigators.

Closer to home Hawkes Bay Regional Council chief executive Andrew Newman will outline the Hawkes Bay approach to infrastructure development. Newman’s address will outline the Hawkes Bay water strategy and where infrastructure development fits, the reasons for its necessity and the risk management approach applied to feasibility projects.

“The main emphasis being on the Ruataniwha storage feasibility, public good versus private sector values as applied to water storage and transfer of the project to the Hawkes Bay Regional Investment Company, should the project proceed to consent application, capital raising and procurement.”

The world’s limited water resources are increasingly under stress. The potential use for productive and non-productive purposes is severely restricted because of limited water availability and decreasing water quality. Ecosystems are under threat and climate change adds to these challenges that have far-reaching consequences for the livelihood of an increasing population.

Looking to the future of irrigation, its role in food and fibre production, and its interaction with the environment is the key focus of the upcoming IrrigationNZ Conference and Expo.

The SBS Events Centre in Timaru will be host to New Zealand’s largest irrigation event as IrrigationNZ brings the industry together, from April 2-4, to highlight cutting edge information from national and international professionals in fields of practice, policy, and research in a challenging three days of conference and expo activity.

This major industry event is a golden opportunity to get off the farm and away from work to network with some of New Zealand’s and the world’s best farmers and water industry business people. The conference is a unique chance to be involved in a forum of learning and discussion with the view to future proofing your business alongside like-minded industry players.

Real life experiences of leading national and international keynote speakers with inspirational presentations will address face to face practical experiences covering the latest successful developments in irrigation and water resource management that will deliver ‘fresh thinking’ for optimal water management to build prosperity, opportunity and resilience for all New Zealand.

This 2012 irrigation industry event is a must for everyone serious about the future of irrigated agriculture and New Zealand’s economic future.

Whether you are an irrigator, industry representative, service provider or resource manager – attending the 2012 IrrigationNZ Conference and Expo is essential in the drive to proactively move business forward.

Farmers trade afternoon

This year there is a farmers’ trade afternoon on Monday April 2. This will give farmers the chance to visit the Expo with over 60 exhibitors bringing all the latest technologies and services available to irrigators. For just $5 at the door farmers are invited to attend the Expo open from 2-5pm.

Check out the full conference programme, more information and register now at www.irrigationnz.co.nz/events/conference

IrrigationNZ – is the national body representing all irrigation interests in a unified voice to promote excellence in irrigation development and efficient water management based on the principles of responsible and sustainable water management throughout New Zealand.

ENDS

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