Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Last chance for farmers to appeal irrigation scheme

Updated at 5:57 am on 3 August 2010

The Canterbury farmers who've been forced to let their land be used for the construction of a controversial irrigation system have one last chance to appeal against their land being taken.

Central Plains Water won approval to build the $200 million irrigation scheme after almost two years of hearings, though in a smaller form than its original proposal.

Letters were sent on Friday to the 60 farmers who own the property Central Plains is allowed to build on, confirming that the land will be needed.

The landowners now have 13 days to lodge an appeal.

The group that has fought the irrigation scheme since its inception, the Malvern Hills Protection Society, says it is important that those affected take the opportunity to have a say.

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