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BEFOREAFTER^ Concept images for the proposed Ruataniwha Water StorageScheme, in the Hawke’s Bay.Photos courtesy of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.^ The Hurunui River.“If we can get it right, the scheme willprovide environmental, economic andsocial benefits for Hawke’s Bay region,creating a win-win situation.”“Some groups have also been concerned about the impactson water quality from intensification,” says Brigid. “Fortunately,science has shown that water quality issues can be resolved byaddressing phosphorus losses from both urban and rural sources.“For towns in the regions, this means upgrading two sewerageschemes. For farmers, this is excluding stock from waterways,riparian management and good management of farm dairyeffluent.“If we can get it right, the scheme will provide environmental,economic and social benefits for the Hawke’s Bay region,creating a win-win situation.”DairyNZ recently lodged submissions on the Tukituki PlanChange which contains the policies and rules around land use andwater in the Tukituki Catchment and will enable the developmentof the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme.Given the scale and importance of this proposal, theEnvironmental Protection Authority will consider both the resourceconsent applications for the scheme and the plan change.Hurunui limit setting resultIn April, the Hurunui and Waiau River catchmentsbecame the first in Canterbury to complete the water limitsetting process.The proposed Hurunui and Waiau River Regional Planreleased in 2011 has completed its submissions process withan outcome which enables further irrigation to take place inNorth Canterbury.DairyNZ regional policy manager James Ryan says DairyNZand Fonterra presented a range of evidence during hearingsbefore independent commissioners in late 2012.“The commissioners agreed with the DairyNZ and Fonterraevidence, that the Hurunui River’s water quality is largelyinfluenced by phosphorus and that the proposed nitrogen limitcould be increased,” says James.“However, the recommendations do present uncertaintyfor farmers, particularly as the irrigation reliability of existingschemes, including the Amuri irrigation Scheme, is affected andsome farmers will be required to apply for resource consent.”A number of the decisions are now being challenged onpoints of law in the High Court.All farmers in the catchment will be required to prepare afarm environment plan from 2017.DairyNZ will meet with farmers to discuss what thesedecisions mean for farmers and how DairyNZ can best workwith farmers to help ensure they meet the requirements of theHurunui and Waiau River Regional Plan.InsideDairy13