McCain hails CHB irrigation

McCain Foods integrated supply chain director for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Graham Harvey, says recent Government funding for the proposed Central Hawke's Bay irrigation scheme is a "win-win for everyone".

"This is sensible policy by the Government which should boost growth in the local Hawkes Bay community and provide security of water supply for local growers," Mr Harvey says.

Federated Farmers has commended the Hawke's Bay Regional Council for securing the $1.67 million from the Government's new Irrigation Acceleration Fund, for the Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project Feasibility Study.

Hawke's Bay and national president Bruce Wills says the praise is due.

"This is big and Hawke's Bay Regional Council deserves a massive pat on the back for the vision and leadership it has shown on the Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project," he says.

"I farm in a drought-prone area in Hawke's Bay. The fact is this water storage project must stack up in terms of the environment, engineering and commercial factors. The Irrigation Acceleration Fund's contribution will help the council to test these things.

"If it comes off, it will be big for the Bay and big for New Zealand. The Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project dam is costed at $180 million and the dam wall will stand some 77m high.

"The resulting reservoir will cover an area of some 400ha - only slightly smaller than Sydney's central business district but double the size of Wellington's central business district.

"It will lift our irrigable area from 6000ha to over 20,000ha.

"At the beginning of this year, Heinz announced they were closing an Australian plant in favour of Hawke's Bay. It means Heinz will no longer make sauces or ketchup in Australia.

"For Heinz to use Hawke's Bay-grown product ahead of imported product, means we need reliable sources of water.

"The decision of Heinz gives one hint to what the Ruataniwha Plains Water Storage Project could deliver the national economy," he says.

A Heinz spokesman said the production shift to Hawke's Bay was not because of the proposed irrigation scheme, but the Government funding was an important step for the whole Central Hawke's Bay community.