32 | Building resilience Matawii is expected to be commissioned in March and available to supply water in the summer of 2023/24. T T from page 30 Te Tai Tokerau Water REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Chris says that if Otawere proceeds it is expected that construction will commence in spring 2023 and the project is earmarked for completion by winter 2025. Both Matawii and Otawere were granted consent under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fasttrack Consenting) Act 2020. Water Schemes Build Region’s Resilience Chris Frost says that Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust’s projects are vital for the regions. “These schemes are building infrastructure for generations, not just the landowners of today,” he says. “They are critical projects to not only enable land use diversification to more sustainable land uses but also to future proof existing land uses and communities against climate change. These projects are all based upon harvesting high flows and after the summer we’ve had it’s obvious high flows can come at any time of the year.” Access to water is a topic of growing concern for those in Te Tai Tokerau. The region has experienced official drought conditions six times since 2009 and in the summer of 2020 water supplies to several large urban communities almost ran dry. Chris says that the impacts of climate change are only expected to exacerbate the problem. The lack of access to a reliable source of water has meant rural land use opportunities in the region, and the economic benefits that can be generated as a result, have been limited. The irony is the region actually experiences higher than average annual rainfall. However, a lack of storage means much of the valuable water that does fall simply drains off to the sea. A series of studies completed by the Northland Regional Council looked at water storage options and the potential economic benefits this could bring to the region led to the establishment of Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust in June 2020. Chaired by former government minister the Hon Murray McCully, the Trust identified two areas as being the most suitable for development, near Kaikohe in the Mid North and on the Northern Pouto Peninsula, south of Dargaville, in the Kaipara. The resulting three water schemes are each operated under separate companies, established to own, use, and manage the schemes. The aim is to strengthen local economies by enabling a shift of land use to higher value, sustainable uses, support land uses that will improve water quality and will contribute to soil health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Chris says that the Trust is also working with key stakeholders to improve the resilience of the rural communities it serves through improved municipal water supplies. Shares in the various companies are being offered to eligible investors to become part of the schemes and access the water for horticultural use. To purchase shares, or register interest, people can contact the relevant water companies or approach Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust. Talk to us: 0800 SYBTON Follow us: @sybtonhort Meet us in: Kerikeri, Opotiki Email us: office@sybtonhort.co.nz PremiumHorticulture Solutions Orchard Management • Crop Spraying • Development Projects, from start to finish • Harvest Services • Mowing, Mulching, Fert & Compost Services VINE AND CROP MANAGEMENT Your local & independent management team
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