1 Introduction
1.1 Project objectives
In October 2004, Tonkin & Taylor was engaged by the Ministry for the Environment to develop an independent overview of potential demand for water from the Waitaki Catchment. This demand excludes water used for hydro-electricity, irrigation and stock drinking purposes; and includes consumptive water users in the following categories:
- community and domestic water supplies
- private potable water abstractions (whether existing or permitted under present planning rules)
- commercial and industrial (other than those arising within municipal supply areas)
- recreation and tourism.
Because the analysis is intended as a general overview, the majority of our estimates are at a sub-catchment level rather than assessment of all individual water takes. The estimate includes demands for Waitaki Catchment water arising from within and outside the physical catchment boundary. Where potential demands arise from outside the catchment we have commented on whether alternative sources of water have been considered or identified.
The majority of project data collected along with territorial local authority and regional council interviews were completed in a three-week period in October; however information has been received up to the time of writing.
To complete the project we made use of readily available information rather than researching for new information. Assumptions have been made from information provided at interviews with stakeholder territorial local authorities.
For major consumptive water users such as community water supplies, we have used recorded data where available. However, where recorded information has not been available demands have been inferred.
The framework we have developed projects demands forward to account for reasonably expected growth over the future 10, 20 and 50-year period. Due to the general nature of population and industry growth projection data used these figures should be regarded as approximate only. Of special note, there are two projects in progress that may provide further information supporting the conclusions and recommendations made in this report. The two projects are:
- Water and Sanitary Services Assessment of Council Water and Wastewater Assets, required under the Local Government Act 2002
- Effect of Irrigation on Economic Development in South Canterbury - Post Construction of Opuha Dam, to be commissioned by Aoraki Development Trust.
The specific terms of reference for this report are as follows:
i. identify potential demands for water from the Waitaki Catchment for:
- drinking and town supply
- commercial and industrial
- tourism and recreation uses
ii. provide an estimate of the potential demands for each use over a 10, 20 and 50 year timescale and, where possible, provide approximate position(s) in the catchment
iii. describe whether demands are likely to be supplied via community infrastructure or on an individual basis
iv. assess the existing allocation to these uses and the extent to which efficiency and/or infrastructure improvements could meet future demand.
This report contains the project findings with respect to the terms of reference listed above using the information collected. A brief overview of the report format is provided below:
- Section 1 states the project objectives and gives a brief overview of the existing demand for water from the Waitaki Catchment.
- Section 2 describes the methodology and assumptions used for establishing the demands for Waitaki Catchment water, and the future demand growth possible.
- Section 3 summarises the interview notes taken from discussions with territorial local authorities, and industry and tourism/recreation groups.
- Section 4 briefly comments on the potential for water conservation, waste/loss minimisation and reuse.
- Section 5 discusses the project results and recommendations.
Additional supporting information is contained in Appendices A to G.
1.2 Brief overview of demand for Waitaki Catchment water
1.2.1 Overview of existing demands
The Waitaki Catchment provides water for a variety of in-stream values, community and domestic water supply, rural and stock water supply, irrigation, hydro-electricity, industrial and commercial uses, and recreation/tourism uses. Water and access to water support the region's social, cultural and environmental wellbeing. Water is also a vital ingredient to the economy. The benefits of water from the Waitaki Catchment are not limited to in-catchment users and the number of resource consent applications to move water out of the catchment is increasing.
Mackenzie, Waimate and Waitaki District Councils preside over the Waitaki Catchment and the approximate district boundaries are shown in Figure 1.2a. Interviews with these councils have revealed concerns that a number of the communities under their administration are water short presently, or are likely to be water short in the future. The majority of water supplied from council systems is for community supply and to a lesser extent, commercial, industrial and tourism. Councils are facing increased pressure to provide more water and ensure that existing supplies are secure.
Water demand for household uses arise from community, rural water supply schemes or from small private supplies. The larger community and rural supplies are indicated in Figure 1.2a. Small private supplies may occur where farms or rural residential properties are not connected to a community or rural supply.
Only a few industrial and large commercial operations are located within the Waitaki Catchment itself and most processing occurs on the Otago and Canterbury downlands, which are closer to the trade centres of Timaru and Oamaru. The Alliance Group freezing works located at Pukeuri near the catchment's southern boundary on State Highway 1 is the one exception to this rule.
Tourism and recreation ventures such as visitor accommodation and the service industries are primarily located in communities and hence the water is accounted as a community use. Snow making at the Ohau and Roundhill ski fields are the only other notable tourism demands.
Water demand for irrigation is not part of this report. However it is likely that on-farm secondary water uses could increase as a result of irrigation. Irrigation could possibly enable the conversion of present dry land farming to dairy farming or horticulture and in turn these on-farm industries will require additional water for processing and supporting industries to convert raw product into high value commodities.
1.2.2 Overview of potential demand
Much of the information collected for this report was from discussions and interviews with members of the various territorial local authorities. Generally summarised, the types of future growth predicted and concerns expressed fall under the following topic headings.
Subdivision development
Land subdivision development whether for new residential, commercial, industrial or tourism ventures were important discussion points with all of the district councils. Mackenzie District Council indicates that rapid subdivision growth is occurring in the upper catchment areas of Twizel, Lake Ruataniwha and Tekapo. Waitaki District Council has identified that growth outside the catchment in coastal areas is progressing. However, the council states that troubles gaining new water take resource consents and extending existing consents is slowing the overall rate of development.
Other economic development
With the prospect of increased land productivity it is likely that the major industries of meat processing and dairy will also increase their demands for water. Although meat processing is the only large industry currently served from the Waitaki Catchment, it is possible that new or expanding industries in or near the catchment could develop additional demand. Business factors such as the desire to centralise operations to the Waitaki are also possible, although this is difficult to predict.
Future light industry and commercial activities are expected to develop in support of the existing communities as they develop critical masses of population.
Vineyards and olive plantations have been promoted as possible development opportunities. Whether this occurs in boutique establishments similar to those occurring near Cromwell in Central Otago or in larger commercial plantations is yet to be seen. Councils have identified the flatter areas surrounding lakes Ohau and Pukaki in the Mackenzie Basin for these uses. Some commercial viticulture interest has also been reported in the Hakataramea Valley of Waimate District.
The development of forestry has been identified in some past council strategic plans. Discussions with the Mackenzie District Council, in particular, has identified that up to 3000 hectares of forestry is likely in the future. This will add to the proportion of water lost through evapotranspiration, but it is not a use of water assessed in this report.
Security of supply
Security of supply is a very important consideration for communities and rural schemes. This is especially in the low rainfall areas on the South Island's east coast and the Otago hinterland. Both the Canterbury and Otago regions suffer prolonged periods of hot and dry weather over summer, and water shortages occur. However, Canterbury has the advantage that water can be sourced from groundwater even during drought, albeit at reduced quantities. Otago, on the other hand, has very limited groundwater resources and a perceived over-allocation from many surface water sources. This is due in part to historical mining permits, the relatively low yield surface water tributaries and the flow sharing consenting regime adopted by Otago Regional Council.
As these issues are more relevant to coastal areas away from a secure supply of surface water, it is the districts outside the Waitaki Catchment that are primarily concerned such as Timaru, coastal Waitaki and Dunedin.
1.3 Acknowledgements
The primary contributors to this project were local and regional authorities; however a number of consultants to the Ministry for the Environment and industry representatives also made significant contributions. Tonkin & Taylor take this opportunity to thank all the organisations and individuals for their contribution to this project.
Territorial local authority and regional council contributors
Mr Ashley Harper, District Services Manager, Timaru District Council
Mr Murray Cleverley, CEO, Aoraki Development Trust
Mr Martin King, Manager Planning and Regulation, Mackenzie District Council
Mr Bernie Haar, Asset Manager, Mackenzie District Council
Mr John O'Connor, Operations, Mackenzie District Council
Mr Alan Porter, Water and Wastewater Engineer, Waimate District Council
Mr Brent Donaldson, Manager, Planning and Regulatory, Waimate District Council
Mr John Maxwell, General Manager, Waimate District Council
Mr Dean Sulzberger, Service Manager Water, Waitaki District Council
Mr Philip Bell, Assets Group Manager, Waitaki District Council
Mr Richard Mabon, Strategy Group Manager, Waitaki District Council
Mr Darrel Robinson, Water and Waste Services Manager, Dunedin City Council
Mr Gerard McCombie, Water Operations Team Leader, Dunedin City Council
Ms Tracey Morgan, Consents Officer, Dunedin City Council
Mr Graeme Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Otago Regional Council
Mr Darryl Lew, Water, Otago Regional Council
Mr John Weeber, Groundwater, Environment Canterbury
Mr John Talbot, Director, Policy and Planning, Environment Canterbury
Mr Malcolm Main, Regional Services - Timaru, Environment Canterbury
Tourism and recreation consultant
Mr Patrick O'Neill, Director, Leisure Matters Consultants
Industrial, commercial contributors and consultants
Mr Simon Harris, Resource Economist, Harris Consulting
Mr Justin O'Brian, Environmental Compliance Officer, Fonterra Clandeboye
Mr Danny Hailes, Plant Manager, Alliance Group Pukeuri Plant
