The health and economics of the Manuherekia are taking centre stage as debates whirl around the future of the river. 

Meetings were held in Alexandra and Omakau last week as the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Manuherekia Reference Group presented its five flow scenarios, ranging in incremental steps from 1200 litres per second through to 3000 litres per second, were unpopular.

The Otago Regional Council’s policy and planning manager Anita Dawe says river wellbeing was top priority in national freshwater management regulations, but some refused to be moved by the agenda. 

Scenario five is preferred by some environmental groups but the ORCl acknowledges it would severely stress irrigation reliability and farm viability.

Manuherekia irrigator Anna Gilespie says she has concerns about anything coming out of ORC.

“Currently the Manuherekia Scenarios document is very misleading and full of inaccuracies. 

“The CODC economic report will highlight for the community how wrong the ORC have been in terms of economic impact on the wider community. 

“The high Minimum flow scenarios if run would in reality send the whole catchment into a tailspin and likely result in no water in the river in very dry summers instead of the perceived desired outcome. 

“ORC have come at it with a very biased stance and no amount of consultation or science has changed this very obvious bias.

“The irrigators have submitted a whole river management plan based on a huge amount of science, with their Deemed permit applications. 

“All applications were submitted linked to an overview from the Manuherekia Catchment Group. To date this body of work is sitting on hold while the Environment court works through the ORC PC7 shambles. 

“While irrigators wait for water security they also wait to implement this river management plan.”

Central Otago District mayor Tim Cadogan says the discussion about the min flows have been ongoing for “significantly more years than I’ve been mayor”. 

“It’s now reaching a crucial junction where every member and citizen of Central Otago and Vincent area, should take an interest in. 

“The ORC are trying to find the balance point between the needs of the environment, which legislatively should come first, and the needs of the farmers to continually operate on an economic basis. 

“That’s a difficult task.”

Mayor Tim says the consultation document, which is out at the moment, is a taster for people who want to make a submission.

“I encourage people to look deeper into the data than what came in the mailbox, and try and see all sides of the argument before making a decision. 

“Also note the CODC did a report with Benje Patterson on the economic impact of the flows. 

“I recognise and respect the views of others who wish to know the economic impact of the various scenarios before making a decision. 

“The ORCs decision will inevitably end up in the environmental court if a balanced decision can’t be reached.” 

National’s Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says the debate around the river has been an ongoing issue. 

“Uncertainty around river management has been an ongoing issue and I understand why people are frustrated. 

“Protecting our environment is important but we need to take a balanced approach that considers the needs of community members as well.

“Unfortunately, Government regulations that purport to protect the environment are causing headaches right across the country and have the potential to do more harm than good.  

“I strongly encourage people to take the opportunity to put forward a submission before the June 18 deadline.”

At the recent meeting in Alexandra, facilitator Andrew Newman conceded the public “had suffered for many years from uncertainty about river management”.

Earlier work on setting minimum flows had not been good enough, but since 2018 the regional council has consulted, set up a reference group and commissioned science.

Then the new national standards for freshwater management were introduced, requiring the community and council to have another decent discussion.

He urged the public to reach an agreement and get it embedded into the regional council’s draft Land and Water Regional Plan as soon as possible.

Manuherekia Reference Group independent chairman Alec Neill stressed he was independent. The group would be reporting to the regional council, he confirmed.

Councillor Kevin Malcolm of Moeraki, another reference group member, encouraged people to ask questions, look at the science and make submissions.

Submissions close on June 18. A report is due in August.