Presidents Report
No doubt everyone is in the thick of harvest and what a great season we are having. The weather is playing ball, colour seems to be good for all varieties, kiwis, back-packers and our RSE workers are here in abundance and doing a fantastic job of harvesting our summer fruit, kiwifruit and apples and pears. Theres something about growing produce that you know will go out into the world and allow millions of people to taste and enjoy our wonderful HB fruit.
Most will know that the HBRC have proposed a new dam and proceeding with a water storage proposal. Using pre-feasibility funding provided by MBIE, this dam would store around 27 million cubic metres at a site off the main stem of the Ngaruroro River. Pre-feasibility work has identified the site as technically, environmentally and commercially feasible. The dam would cost $225 million to build, with $6 million in annual operating costs. We also have the revised Ruataniwha Dam which has also received fast-track status, as well as receiving up to $3 million in Government funding to come up with a new feasibility study and detailed business case. Proponents – the Tukituki Water Security Project led by both farming and horticulture representatives. This dam would be built to store 100 million cubic metres of water. One thing we know is that there is growth in horticulture, and we will all need more sources of water for our crops.
You may have read in the paper the Future development strategy committee have had a submission from the “Heretaunga connection project” re to build 2000 homes (approx. 470ha) on our fertile lands between Hastings and Flaxmere. HBFA stands apposed to this along with HORTNZ. We will be submitting against this and represent our members at a special meeting held next week. We need to do what we can to save our fertile soils.
Our HBFA young grower applications went live end of February so please encourage any excelling staff you have (under 30) to give it a go.
All the best for the remaining harvest season – we all need this.
Kia kaha
Brydon Nisbet
