Central Plains Water Trust has applied for a number of resource consents relating to the construction and operation of a large scale irrigation scheme. The applicants propose irrigating 60,000 hectares of land between the Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers, an area stretching from the Malvern foothills to State Highway One.

The proposal includes a 55 metre high dam containing a 12km² storage lake. Water would be distributed from the lake via a 10km tunnel and an extensive network of distribution canals directly to irrigators.

Under the proposed scheme, water would be abstracted at a rate of up to 40 cumecs (cubic metres per second) from each of the rivers through two intakes on the Waimakariri River and one on the Rakaia.

Central Plains Water Trust has been granted requiring authority status by the Minister for the Environment, enabling it to apply to local councils to ‘designate’ or set aside land that it needs to set up infrastructure.

Latest Updates

24 June 2009 - Minute 8 of the Commissioners

View Minute 8.

20 May 2009 - Minute 6 and Minute 7 of the Commissioners - Decision as to continuance of the hearing

View Minute 6 and Minute 7.

08 May 2009 - Submitters' Evidence - 11 May 2009 Hearing Resumption

View the Submitters' Evidence - Hearing Resumption.

05 May 2009 - Memorandum of Counsel for the Applicant

View the Memorandum.

17 April 2009 - Further Information provided by the Applicant

View the Applicant's Evidence page.

03 April 2009 - Minute and reconvened hearing

View the Hearing Information page.

06 March 2009 - Ecological Assessment of the Proposed Rakaia Terrace Hydro Scheme, Canterbury

View the ACWT Applicant's Evidence.

10 December 2008 - Interim Decision on the ACWT

View the Interim Decision.

26 September 2008 - ACWT Closing Legal Submissions

View the ACWT Applicant's Evidence.

24 September 2008 - Hearing Schedule for 25 September

View the Daily Hearing Details.

18 September 2008 - Section 42A Reports – ACWT

View the Section 42A Reports – ACWT.

15-17 September 2008 - Ashburton Community Water Trust - Submitters' Evidence

View the Ashburton Community Water Trust - Submitters' Evidence.

12 September 2008 - Hearing Schedule - Week 15–19 September 2008 - Ashburton Community Water Trust

View the Daily Hearing Details.

10 September 2008 - Applicant's Evidence from Ashburton Community Water Trust

View the Applicant's Evidence - Ashburton Community Water Trust.

23rd June 2008 - Submitters' Evidence from NZ Salmon Anglers Association, Synlait, Ngai Tahu Property

View the submitters' evidence released at the hearings this week.

20th May 2008 - Submitters' Evidence from Historic Trust Places

View the submitters' evidence released at the hearings this week.

7th May 2008 - Further Submitters' Evidence

View the submitters' evidence released at the hearings this week.

29 April 2008 - More Submitters' Evidence

View the submitters' evidence released at the hearings this week.

24 April 2008 - Submitters' Evidence

View the submitters' evidence released at the hearings this week.

14 April 2008 - Responses From Applicants

Responses from Applicant and Further Reports

Applicant's Response to Evidence

6 March 2008 - Daily Hearing Details

Hearing details will be updated every afternoon on our website to keep you up-to-date with the location, times and witnesses speaking the next day on our website. Visit the Daily Hearing Details page to find out the latest information.

4 March 2008 - Applicant's Responses to Evidence

View the applicant's response to evidence

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