The government should pull the plug on the controversial Ruataniwha irrigation scheme in Hawke’s Bay, as costs look set to soar towards the billion dollar mark, Greenpeace says today.
A new report commissioned by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, that examines the economics of the irrigation plans, has revealed that costs for the project have climbed by 50 per cent, and are set to add up to over $900million.
But because money from Hawke’s Bay ratepayers and farmers will fall well short of the predicted $900million, the New Zealand government looks set to pour hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into the scheme.
Genevieve Toop, Greenpeace’s agriculture campaigner, said: “It’s time for the government to pull the plug on this eyewateringly expensive plan. The Ruataniwha irrigation scheme makes no sense economically, or environmentally.
“This huge, costly irrigation scheme will industrialise our farms, probably bankrupt more New Zealand farmers and increase pollution into our rivers. And it’s only going to go ahead because the government is handing over taxpayers’ money.
“Clean, green farming is much better for our finances, our farmers and our international reputation. It’s this that the government should be backing, not some failed industrial dairy model which is polluting our rivers and our economy.”