The Hurunui District Council is calling for public feedback on its plan to buy almost $500,000 worth of shares in an irrigation project.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The Hurunui Water Project hopes to establish an irrigation-scheme for the landowners who own shares in the company.
The project has been in the works for 18 years.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the project could bring big benefits to the area.
"The primary purpose of purchasing these shares was to further economic development in the district.
"In our district, our the biggest industry by far is agriculture and the biggest bang for your buck in terms of economic development is some sort of intensification of agriculture."
The information sessions will be held around North Canterbury starting next Monday evening in Hanmer Springs, and people have until 12 April to get in feedback.
There will be four public information evenings -
- Monday 26 March 6pm - Heritage Hotel, Hanmer Springs
- Tuesday 27 March 6pm - Council Chambers, Amberley
- Tuesday 3 April 6pm - Waikari Community Hall, Waikari
- Wednesday 4 April 6pm - Cheviot Community Room, Cheviot School
The Hurunui Water Project was expecting to finalise water allocation and the design in June this year, start building in early 2019, with water available by 2020, Mr Dobbie said.
The council's purchase of the shares was not essential for it to go ahead but would make things easier for them, he said.