Government announces $18.5m cash infusion to Northland to create 'more reliable water supply'

April 5, 2019
A cool water stream is coming out from the water tap in the summer field.

The Government has announced it will invest up to $18.5 million into improving access to water in Northland.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Economic Development Minister David Parker announced this afternoon that the money, from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), is the biggest investment in water storage to date.

"Up to $18.5 million will be invested to help investigate and, if feasible, construct community-scale water storage and use options in Kaipara and Mid North," Mr Jones said.

"Regional Economic Development Ministers backed the proposal because of the real opportunities that ensuring a more reliable water supply could bring to the region – up to $150m in increased horticulture earnings per year and up to 1150 jobs created.

"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.

"This project is relatively small in scale, compared to proposed water projects in the past, and enjoys wide support from local government.

"It will alleviate pressure on surface and groundwater resources, and will reduce sedimentation, a key water quality issue for the region, as land use shifts towards horticulture.

"It will also mean better access to water for use on Māori-owned land – the development of which is a key objective for the PGF."

Mr Parker said "developing water storage is a complex and time consuming exercise, requiring high calibre technical regulatory, environmental and commercial capability.

"The feasibility work will include technical, environmental and economic analysis, as well as activities to get the project ready to start construction ... This includes engagement with the local community to ensure they benefit from any proposed scheme."

Northland Regional Council will receive the funding and work with other councils, iwi and the community to plan and undertake the work.

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