Although the Government announced yesterday it will be winding down public funding for large-scale irrigation projects, it confirmed its existing agreement for funding of the Waimea Community Dam.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson says, “The decisions will provide certainty to the individual schemes which had applied for Government funding alongside private investment.”
Crown Irrigation Investments Limited’s existing commitments to the Dam project for the construction phase will be met within the current appropriations as long as the project reaches financial close within the allowed time frame.
Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor says access to water is vital to New Zealand’s farmers, growers and rural communities, which provide the grunt for our economy.
“My vision is for a resilient primary sector striving for value over volume and this means large-scale irrigation schemes must be environmentally and economically viable, with vital regional infrastructure supported by the Government. This will provide a good balance to ensure better outcomes for all New Zealanders.”
Click here to read the complete media release from the Beehive.