MAF subsidy sought for Waitohi dam
Hurunui Water Project will seek money from a government fund to make progress on a $400 million dam.
Hurunui Water Project has applied for a government subsidy top dam the Waitohi river valley. The Project's scheme to dam the Waitohi River in North Canterbury has won the approval of a selection panel.
It is an alternative to plans for dams on the Hurunui River and at Lake Sumner. The Waitohi river feeds into the Hurunui near the historic Hurunui pub.
The Waitohi Irrigation Scheme Selection Panel endorsed the Hurunui Water Project’s scheme over two competing developers, Direct Project Management, and Fraser Geologics.
Hurunui Water project manager, Amanda Loeffen, said the endorsement by the panel has allowed her group to apply to the Irrigation Acceleration Fund, a new government subsidy supporting irrigation schemes to conduct detailed feasibility studies. A draft application is under review by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Last year Hurunui Water Project obtained shareholder commitments for $8 million in several tranches. The first call in late 2010 saw $1.5 million paid in, and last year another $2 million.
The cost of the scheme is expected to be more than $400 million. The promoters have yet to say where the money will come from although Ms Loeffen told NBR last year that it might come from an overseas corporation.
Chris Hutching
Mon, 30 Jan 2012
Mon, 30 Jan 2012
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MAF subsidy sought for Waitohi dam
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