Waikato regional economic profile - Waikato Regional Council

4.4.3 Productive water infrastructureIrrigationFrom 1910 to 1990 the government constructed a total of 49 irrigation schemesnationally, including three in the Waikato region. 252 The government sold the schemesfrom 1990 onwards. Table 6 summarises the schemes.Table 6: Irrigation scheme valuations and results of sale process 253SchemeDate ofSchemeApprovalDate ofFirstSupplyNumberofIrrigatorsIrrigableArea (ha.)CurrentlyIrrigatedAreaPurchasePrice ($)Glenbrook 1986 1987 20 141 28 10,000Te Kauwhata 1984 1985 56 433 218 7mPukerimu 1985 1986 29 651 90The Te Kauwhata scheme is currently run by the Te Kauwhata Water Association,which has extended the scheme to meet the needs of other water users in northWaikato. 254In the Waikato region, irrigation is mostly undertaken by individual irrigators takingsurface or ground water directly, with associated on-farm infrastructure.The Government’s Irrigation Acceleration Fund invited proposals in September 2011and provides $35 million over five years to support the development of proposals to the‘investment ready’ prospectus stage. The fund will support regional scale rural waterinfrastructure proposals that address:regional rural water infrastructurecommunity irrigation schemes, andstrategic water management studies.The Government will contribute up to 50 per cent through the fund to successfulproposals. 255Flood protection and controlIt was estimated in 2009 that more than $2.126 billion of total economic output 256 wasgenerated in areas covered by the Lower Waikato, Piako River and Waihou Valleyflood protection schemes maintained by WRC in the region. 257 The majority ofproductive dairy land in the Waikato region lies within the direct benefit area and theschemes provide a direct protection benefit to 305,000 hectares. Taking into accountthe wider effects of this activity (for example, the transporting and processing ofagricultural output) gives an indication of the value of economic activity that is protectedby the schemes. Land use of the direct benefit areas is shown in figure 68.252Farley (1994, p. 9).253Farley (1994, p. 13).254Te Kauwhata Water Association Inc (2007) Our history.255New Zealand Government (2011f) Proposals invited for irrigation fund.256Value added, which is calculated by subtracting the cost of inputs from the total output, was $796 million.257River & Catchment Services Group, GHD Ltd (2011a, p. 28) and River & Catchment Services Group, GHD Ltd(2011b, p. 25).Page 68 Doc #: 2069885