The Otago Regional Council is currently undertaking community consultation on various minimum flow options for the Manuherekia River. The process of setting a minimum flow is part of ensuring the health and ecology of the river, and that the river meets the cultural, recreational and economic needs of the community.
A new minimum flow is likely to increase the minimum flow in the river from the current voluntary minimum flow of 900 litres per second at the Alexandra campground, and the community is being asked for feedback on what the new flow should be.
Water users are permitted to take water from the river or its tributaries under water permits, predominantly for irrigation between September and April. Water is also taken throughout the year to supply some of our communities with drinking water.
Increasing the minimum flow will mean that there is less water available for irrigation, which will directly impact on economic activity and employment.
Central Otago District Council has undertaken an independent economic impact assessment to understand how the different flow levels might affect economic activity and employment in a dry year, in a year of average rainfall, and in a wet year.
The economic impact assessment looks at the changes in employment and economic activity at both a farm level, and the downstream benefits at district and regional levels. Downstream benefits include the effect on employment and economic activity from farm wages being spent, as well as farmers buying in goods and services for use on the farm.
Key points:
- Currently in a year of average rainfall the irrigated farmland in the Manuherekia catchment alone directly provides for $17.6m in GDP and 180 jobs. This economic activity indirectly creates an additional $10.2m in GDP and 125 jobs in Central Otago. This does not include horticulture or viticulture, due to be base level data not being available from ORC.
- This level of direct GDP is equivalent to 20% of livestock and dairy farming GDP across Central Otago.
- During a dry year, the total contribution to Central Otago’s GDP from irrigated farmland in the catchment could reduce by 50% in a 3000 l/s scenario, compared to the status quo. Under a 1500 l/s minimum flow regime, the total reduction in contribution to Central Otago’s GDP would be 9.8%.
