50 | Scheme continues to play a critical role Riparian planting that has been done along the stream bank, pump shed in the background. RURAL SERVICES » Old Coach Irrigation Karen Phelps Old Coach Road Irrigation Ltd has secured the long-term future of its water supply, with the Bay of Plenty scheme recently renewing its resource consent through to 2045. Scheme chairperson Daniel Chesswas says the early renewal provides certainty for 32 shareholders across 32 properties near Pukehina, where more than 150 hectares of land, predominantly kiwifruit orchards, depend on the scheme for irrigation and frost protection. “Renewing the consent early meant we could take a proactive approach and ensure everything was in place for the long term,” says Daniel “It gives our shareholders confidence and security moving forward.” Established in the mid-1980s to support kiwifruit development, the scheme continues to play a critical role in the region’s horticultural output. Today it also supports avocado orchards, a dairy operation and several lifestyle blocks, but its core purpose remains unchanged: delivering reliable water to underpin high-value production. Operating under a dual structure, the company holds the shares and resource consent and the Old Coach Road Irrigation Scheme Joint Venture Agreement manages day-to-day operations through a three-person committee chaired by Daniel, who has been involved for 15 years and in the role for the past decade. “Having that structure allows us to manage both governance and operations effectively,” says Daniel. “It keeps things running smoothly while ensuring compliance obligations are met.” The renewed consent covers the scheme’s allocation of 73.6 litres per second and 78 litres per second for frost protection from the Pongakawa Stream. While modest in volume, the allocation is carefully managed to service a wide area through a combination of direct irrigation and on-orchard storage ponds. “We are maximising the allocation we have,” says Daniel. “By working together, shareholders can utilise our allocation more efficiently than if they were operating individually.” Daniel says the renewed consent reinforces the scheme’s role as a form of insurance for growers. Reliable access to water is essential not only during dry periods but also for frost protection, where timely irrigation can safeguard an entire season’s crop. Stem Rural Accountants 123 Jellicoe Street Te Puke 3119 www.stemrural.co.nz We’re specialist Rural Accountants •Xero and Figured experts •Part of your horticultural/agricultural team Proud to work with Old Coach Irrigation We’re not your typical accounting practice - just straightforward advice, quick responses, and a team that’s refreshingly easy to engage with. We want to take away your pain when dealing with your books – that’s what makes working with us a breeze. Let’s grow together! PH 07 573 5569 “Without frost protection, you do not have a crop,” says Daniel. “We are protecting multi-million-dollar production, and that has a significant impact on the wider local economy.” Securing the new consent required detailed preparation including environmental considerations and system upgrades. In recent years, the scheme has invested in infrastructure improvements such as replacing pipelines, formalising easements across properties and upgrading water meters to meet council specifications. “Doing the groundwork early made the consent process much smoother,” says Daniel. “We had the documentation and systems in place to demonstrate we are operating responsibly.” Environmental stewardship has also been a key part of that process. The scheme funded approximately 700 metres of riparian planting along the northern side of the stream to stabilise banks and reduce run-off into the waterway. “That project created a buffer between farmland and the stream,” says Daniel. “It has been positive for water quality and supports compliance requirements, including standards linked to export markets.” Those standards include GlobalG.A.P., an internationally recognised certification framework that supports safe and sustainable agricultural production and is a requirement for kiwifruit growers supplying export channels through Zespri. He says there will be continued investment in resilience including plans to raise the pump platform to improve flood protection and install a shed to safeguard critical infrastructure. “It is about future-proofing the system,” says Daniel. “With the consent secured through to 2045, we can now focus on continuing to improve and maintain the scheme for the benefit of all shareholders.”
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