Irrigation is a must to grow grass and feed the dairy herd on Ian Minson's rain-starved Canterbury farm. Picture / Simon Baker

Irrigation is a must to grow grass and feed the dairy herd on Ian Minson's rain-starved Canterbury farm. Picture / Simon Baker

Ian Minson's livelihood hinges on water.

In the harsh, dry Canterbury climate, rain is not enough to keep his family's multi-million-dollar dairy farming dream alive. Without access to extra water for irrigation, not enough grass will grow on his farmland at Burnham and his cows cannot be fed to supply the milk to make the money.

"It's vital as far as we are concerned. If we choose to dairy [farm] this block, without a [water] consent, it is not practical. If we wanted to continue dairying, we would have to sell."

That is why Mr Minson is concerned about Government plans to intervene in freshwater supply.

Amid fears about depleted rivers and streams and dwindling underground supplies, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton announced last week the Government would be developing a national plan for water use.

Mr Anderton says water is already over-allocated in the province Mr Minson lives in.

"We do have big problems and we have to face up to them. The Government is there to help solve them.

Everybody has to look in the mirror and ask themselves the same question about how much water they are using. If everyone takes the view 'what about me?' it becomes the law of the jungle."

Irrigation specialist Tony Davoren says it is significant that the Government has realised how pressing the water issue is, particularly for Canterbury, the biggest water user.

"The fact they are prepared to take a role and hopefully put more resources into it is very encouraging. My feeling is that this is such a huge issue, some of it is beyond the regions. I hope we are going to see some action," Mr Davoren says.

"What I hope it doesn't turn into is a witch hunt against irrigation."

So many industries were "utterly dependent" on irrigation.

"Everything from bread to potatoes to wine, milk, meat. As consumers, you consider frozen vegetables. They can't be grown without irrigation water."

Mr Minson argues that irrigation reinvigorates towns and provides a huge number of jobs.

His family are seeking approval to draw 210 litres of water a second from underground water supplies to irrigate the 372-hectare farm he shares with his youngest son.

He currently is allowed to use only 33 litres a second, which is nowhere near enough.