Media Statement
29 November 2012 – for immediate release
IrrigationNZ applauds IAF investment
IrrigationNZ has applauded the latest grant made by the Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF) – a project assessing the
viability of expanding irrigation on the south side of the Lower Waitaki River.
“It’s fantastic to see the IAF actually deliver on what it was set up to do – which is support the potential for
irrigated agriculture to contribute to New Zealand’s sustainable economic growth,” says IrrigationNZ CEO Andrew Curtis.
“Since the fund was set up farmers have held their breath to see what tangible benefits would result. The Waitaki
announcement means five new irrigation projects this year have got the go-ahead with the potential to generate
significant GDP.”
“It’s not easy for small, rural communities to raise the capital needed for irrigation infrastructure investigations and
development. Irrigation benefits the entire community and IAF’s investment will ensure these developments are achievable
and sustainable for the communities that drive them,” says Mr Curtis.
The IAF, which is administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries, is contributing $136,000 to the one-year Waitaki
project, matched dollar for dollar by the community. The project is being facilitated and managed by the Waitaki
Irrigators Collective Limited (WIC), a representative body which comprises five irrigation schemes and the Waitaki
Independent Irrigators Incorporated Society (WIII).
Four other irrigation projects have also received IAF grants this year including the North Otago Irrigation Company
Tilverstowe Extension, the Manuherikia Catchment Strategic Water Study, the Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project
Feasibility Study and Tarras Water Ltd. Negotiations are underway for a further four projects. The IAF will invest $35
million over a five year period (2011/12 to 2015/16) in irrigation development.
ends