1 Sep 2010

Fruitgrowers thirsty for more Hawke's Bay water

1:31 pm on 1 September 2010

Hawke's Bay Regional Council commissioners are this week considering 150 water consent applications from fruitgrowers in the Twyford area west of Hastings.

The applications have been publicly notified because growers want to take water from the Raupare stream, which is already over-allocated for the taking of water.

Most of the applications are for the renewal of expired permits, but there are some new ones and some from growers who want to use more water.

There's strong community interest in the council hearings, with Hort NZ, Hawke's Bay Fish and Game, the Department of Conservation and Maori interests among the submitters.