Hororata Community Trust arranges 'heritage of rural water scheme' tour

The Dry Acheron intake is going to feature on a bus tour next month, as part of a Hororata Community Trust heritage project. Photo: Supplied

The foresight shown by pioneers in central Canterbury more than a century ago in establishing a rural water scheme is going to be recognised in a heritage tour being held next month.

The Hororata Community Trust is organising a bus tour as part of its heritage project, following the journey of water from Lake Coleridge through the Malvern Foothills over the past 100 years. The "heritage of a rural water scheme" tour on Sunday, March 11, will take people through spectacular high country scenery.

"Water has always been a controversial topic. Without it we would not be able to farm or live on this land," organising committee member Gavin King said.

"This tour is about showing the evolution of open water races for farm and town supply to the efficiency of piping the water.

"It was really quite a feat how the water races were built 100 years ago by hand and their ability to get the fall just right so the water flowed from the source at the Dry Acheron to the end users is impressive."

Mr King said most people took water for granted.

"They just turn on the tap, but someone has to put the water into the tap and to get supply to this rural district takes a massive network, which has been developed over the past century.

"On this tour we will be taking people behind the scenes on to private land so they can really get to see and understand how this water scheme developed."

The tour will start at the Hororata Domain, before heading through Glentunnel and up to Windwhistle, where the Snowdon water scheme originated.

Local guides will provide information during the tour on the historic water scheme and farming operations. Lunch will be provided in the Coleridge village, with a tour of the historic Coleridge Power Station. On the return trip the tour will take in the modern-day Central Plains Water intake.

Some heritage properties will be open on the day for those who do not wish to go on the bus tour, including Terrace Station, Gunyah Estate, Coton's Cottage and Museum and Glentunnel Museum, with entry fees charged on the day. The "heritage of a rural water scheme" bus tour will depart from the Hororata Domain at 9.30am on March 11, returning at 4.30pm. Tickets cost $45 per person, and include lunch. They can be bought online at www.hororata.org.nz or by phoning Karen Meares on (03) 318-6959.

david.hill@alliedpress.co.nz