Nick Smith - Nelson MP, Minister National Government

Opportunities for Nelson in Government Water Package

Opportunities for Nelson in Government Water Package

9 May 2011

The Nelson region needs to take up the opportunities of Government support for water infrastructure to support growth of our agricultural and horticultural industries, Nelson MP Nick Smith said today.

"I am hugely supportive of the very constructive work the Waimea Water Augmentation Committee and Tasman District Council have done on developing proposals for water storage in the Lee Valley," said Dr Smith.

"This is the best opportunity in a generation to deliver a step change in the agricultural and horticultural productive capacity of the region. The Government is keen to assist this work with funding for design through the new Irrigation Acceleration Fund and to help provide capital with a proposed $400 million equity fund over the next decade.

"The Government is determined that water infrastructure development will be balanced and not at the expense of the environment. We're requiring clear rules be put in place on water quality and minimum flows with the new National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management. This policy sits well with the Lee proposals in that the Council and Waimea Water Augmentation Committee have consistently ensured that environmental considerations are at the forefront of their proposals.

"Water storage and irrigation schemes are very long-term projects that require large investments. The Council and Government are committed but we also have to convince landowners that they too need to invest to make it happen. I am hopeful that Waimea landowners will see the potential and ensure we take it during this window of opportunity when both Council and Government are supportive.

"This initiative on water is consistent with the Government's broader economic plan of focusing on growing exports and of better leveraging growth off the Government's balance sheet. The proposals to sell part-share holdings in mature state-owned businesses, and reinvest in public/private partnerships like on water storage and broadband is a smart way to stimulate growth," Dr Smith said.

Dr Smith said he looked forward to working with the Council and Waimea Water Augmentation Committee on how Nelson could best access the Government's water initiatives to make progress in the region.