The water will cost 23 cents a cubic metre, within the 22-25 cents target in the feasibility study, on a take-or-pay basis. There will also be a variable energy charge at a maximum of 3c a cubic metre payable on water used.
Refinements to the reservoir and distribution system mean the $265 million scheme can now reliably distribute 104 million cubic metres of water a year to the irrigation footprint, an improvement on the feasibility figure of 90 million cubic metres a year.
“Using its extensive expertise in dam construction, OHL-Hawkins has been able to create a significantly more comprehensive scheme, which offers additional value while still remaining within the range of the feasibility report cost estimates,” Hansen said.
OHL-Hawkins joint venture bid manager Steve Livesay said “Our solution includes a dam designed by world experts from New Zealand, Australia and Spain and an irrigation scheme harnessing all the best elements of recent Canterbury and Australian experience to provide the water users with an optimal cost and service level.
“We are conscious of the sensitivities of the scheme and confident that we can provide a positive impact for the community once we’re underway and are very hopeful the remaining regulatory hurdles can be overcome.”
The board of inquiry, set up by the Environmental Protection Authority to hear evidence and submissions on Tukituki Plan Change 6 and scheme resource consents, will deliver its draft decision by April 15 and a final decision on May 28.
The scheme has the potential to supply water for irrigated farming and horticultural uses to 25,000-30,000 hectares while improving water quality and summer flows in the Tukituki River.
If given approval and once operational the scheme is expected to create about 2250 new jobs, he said.
