| 47 Central Plains Water CEO Susan Goodfellow. RURAL SERVICES » Central Plains Water Real solution to water security New Zealand farmers struggling with increasingly unpredictable weather cycles are being offered a comprehensive solution to water security by engineering firm Riley Consultants (Riley), which provides end-to-end water storage design and management services tailored specifically to agricultural needs. “With drought and flood cycles becoming more frequent across the country, reliable water supply has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges facing dairy and horticulture operations,” says James Beaumont, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Riley. “For many farming operations, consistent water supply for irrigation is the most effective pathway to enhancing resilience and ensuring reliable farm performance.” He says the regulatory complexity surrounding water storage projects is frequently cited as a significant barrier for farmers. Projects exceeding four metres in height or 20,000 cubic metres in volume trigger requirements under both the Resource Management Act and the Building Act, creating a web of consents, assessments and council negotiations that can prove overwhelming. With 40 years of experience across New Zealand, Riley is able to cut through these complexities and provide a clear pathway through compliance and regulation, supporting its clients in developing resilient water storage solutions. “We begin every project with a Desktop Feasibility Assessment to quickly identify regulatory triggers and provide a clear, high-level construction cost, enabling farmers to make an informed decision on whether to proceed,” explains James. Riley champions offline storage solutions, particularly the Turkey Nest Dam design, which offers measurable advantages over traditional on-stream construction. James says that, because water is pumped from rivers during high-flow periods rather than built directly across a waterway, it sidesteps many of the most complex ecological hurdles in the consenting process, including fish passage requirements and sediment runoff concerns. Riley can handle every stage of the process, from initial feasibility through to long-term compliance, allowing farmers to concentrate on running their businesses. Riley coordinates all necessary experts, including irrigation consultants, ecologists, planners and surveyors, acting as a single point of contact with local councils and managing all requests for information throughout the consenting process. After project completion, Riley also provides ongoing dam safety assurance for the life of the asset, a legal requirement for larger dams under the Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022. James says that Riley staff are among the first group of Recognised Engineers under those regulations. Riley also assists farmers with ongoing compliance for existing on-farm dams. Riley is experienced in Potential Impact Classification (PIC) assessments, remedying defective dams and ongoing inputs to long-term dam safety. “The true toll of dry summers extends far beyond the cost of purchasing feed. It also includes pasture losses, slower regrowth in the following season, and the financial and emotional strain of having to sell off and later rebuild stock when feed options aren’t available,” says James. Riley points to the Fairlea Farm Reservoir project as a demonstration of the return on investment achievable through strategic storage. “Consistent irrigation there eliminated the need for imported supplemental feed, significantly raised milk solid production and provided the Board with long-term confidence to invest in the operation’s future growth,” says James. “It really demonstrates the hugely positive impact water can have on the bottom line of a farming operation.” When expertise, collaboration and solutions matter most. RENEWABLE ENERGY WATER LAND riley.co.nz
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