Hon Nathan Guy
Minister for Primary Industries
23 March 2016
Media Statement
$895,000 in funding for Marlborough irrigation scheme
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed new funding of $895,000 for the Flaxbourne Community Irrigation
Scheme in Marlborough.
The funding comes from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF) and will help the
Marlborough District Council complete concept designs, finalise funding arrangements, and begin the detailed design
phase for the storage dam.
“Water from this project will most likely be used for wine grapes and arable crops, showing again that irrigation is
about much more than just dairy,” says Mr Guy.
“Providing a reliable water supply for growers has major potential to boost growth, creating jobs and exports. This is
especially important in Marlborough given the serious drought the region has suffered over the last 18 months.”
The Flaxbourne Community Irrigation Scheme proposes to source water from the Awatere River at peak times for storage and
distribution that will irrigate 2200 hectares.
“We know that viticulture involves significant employment and investment of around $40,000 per hectare, and once
established has significantly higher annual turnover than the current dryland pasture uses.
“This funding is another positive step forward for this scheme which has strong community support. The project has the
potential to boost Marlborough’s economy by $15 million per year.”
A full economic assessment is part of the IAF work programme that will be delivered by end of July 2016.
The proposal has been previously investigated in different forms since 2008, and most recently in late 2014 received IAF
funding of $50,000.
ends