Northland's 'Jekyll and Hyde' weather harnessed with water storage scheme

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Northland has plenty of water but it often all comes at once, causing flooding.

The Northland region, plagued by both droughts and floods, could have a boost of up to $150 million through a water irrigation project.

The Provincial Growth Fund has granted $18.5 million toward water storage and distribution in Kaipara and the Far North.

Vaughan Cooper, acting chief executive of Northland Inc, says Northland's Jekyll and Hyde weather systems are challenging.

Regional economic development minister Shane Jones said a more reliable water supply could bring up to $150 million in increased horticulture earnings per year and up to 1150 new jobs.

'The region is vulnerable to droughts and floods, so better access to water will give landowners greater options to utilise their land, develop new markets and maintain and grow a skilled workforce,' he said.

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The money will go to Northland Regional Council for investigation, with the remainder used as a loan for construction if a viable solution was found.

Northland had been very dry over summer, leading to both fires and water restrictions.

Hoses and sprinklers were banned in Opononi/Omapere, Rawene, Kaikohe, Kawakawa and all of the Kaipara District. Sprinklers were also banned in Kaitaia and Kerikeri.

The west and north of the region was still classed as one of NIWA's hotspots.

However, the new water storage project focused on water for horticulture, rather than household use or any dairy conversions.

The funding has been welcomed by the development agency Northland Inc, which kick-started the project with a region-wide study.

Acting chief executive Vaughan Cooper said Northland's economy was thirsty for water storage solutions, as the region suffered from 'Jekyll and Hyde' weather patterns.

'This is a region where we get pretty high rainfall in one season and drought in another. How do we work it so that rainfall becomes an asset, and how do we future-proof our region in light of climate change challenges?

'We need to focus on new water storage and use schemes to ease the impact of drought and also deliver economic and environmental benefits.'

The regional council would work with district councils and tangata whenua on the project, starting with analysis of water supply and storage options, assessment of potential water user demand, environmental impacts and financial modelling.

If feasible, construction of a new reservoir could be years away.