Talking Point re. Regional Water Assessment report submitted to HB Today, unpublished

Paul Bailey - ex HB Regional Councillor and advocate for Wise Water Use

Photo Credit: Warren Buckland (Photographer, HB Today)

Talking Point submitted to HB Today on 17 May 2023, not published

The Regional Water Assessment report (RWA) raises a number of fundamental questions, one of which has been reflected in your headline of 16/5/23: ‘Water shortage in 2040?’. This question requires placing into context. This potential water shortage assumes that current increases in demand continue, and no change to the ways in which water is currently used.

To continue these practices makes no sense given that the source of most of our water is our aquifers, which are fully allocated. We are drawing as much water out of our aquifers as what is going in. What the RWA demonstrates is that something needs to change.

I agree that every lever needs to be pulled, including clawing back current large allocations which are detrimental to our environment and, in Central Hawkes Bay, a drain on our economy. The RWA states that CHB earns $14.33m for every 1 million m3 of water used, whereas Wairoa earns $37.79m, Hastings $43.40m, and Napier $87.37m. CHB is clearly the poor cousin when you look at these numbers and the big difference is how CHB uses its water.

It is regrettable that the RWS does not drill down into the usage numbers; however, it is common knowledge that the handful of intensive dairy farms in CHB use about half of the consented water. This is not wise use of this precious resource. We have to ensure that we get the biggest economic bang for our buck.

If the Regional Council is serious about pulling every lever to bring our water use equation back into equilibrium it doesn't need to look much further than clawing back large water consents allocated to the intensive dairy farms in CHB.

They can legally do this under the RMA given the deterioration of the environment and the aquifer over the last 20 years, a time frame which coincides with the rise in intensive dairying in CHB.

Concerning the Heretaunga Plains, one of the scenarios in the RWA based on more efficient water use is that demand could be reduced by 16.2 million m3 by 2040. Yes, you read that right, there is the potential to reduce the water needs for Hawke's Bay whilst maintaining economic outcomes.

Clearly this is not a scenario that creates headlines because it challenges all water users - agricultural, industrial, and residential - to use water more wisely. It means we all have to change, and change is difficult. But it is doable and given the substantial rebuild required post-Cyclone Gabrielle I hope that reducing water use is given key consideration when orchards and vineyards are replanted. We need to grab these sorts of opportunities with both hands.

Wairoa often gets forgotten in these discussions but the RWA also states that we should take industry to the water. It would only need a 15% increase in dollars returned per m3 water used to place Wairoa on a par with Hastings. The challenge to realise Wairoa’s potential is a chicken and egg scenario, as to grow horticulture requires investment in the likes of packhouses and associated infrastructure. However, again, this is doable.

If there is one thing we can take from the RWA report it is the need to change the status quo. We don't need to suffer from water shortages in the future, we just need to use our water more wisely.

Pail Bailey (Advocate for Wise Water Use)