Site Visit Itinerary (Updated) - Plan Change 7 - Environment Court
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Plan Change 7 Site Visit Itinerary (Updated) Introduction The following confirms the final site visit itinerary for the court. The court’s minute of 4 February 2021 noted its openness to undertaking a site visit to any location(s) that are representative of different interests to aid the court’s understanding of proposed plan change. As directed by the court we have conferred with counsel in pulling together this draft itinerary. The court also invited the parties to comment on the draft itinerary before it was finalised1. Timing Three days have been scheduled for site visits while the court is sitting in Cromwell (week 6): • Monday 10 May 2021 • Thursday 13 May 2021 (morning before the Hearing) • Friday 14 May 2021 Itinerary A full list of sites suggested by counsel, during the hearing so far, and by parties responding to the court’s invitation, is provided in Attachment A. In the interests of assisting the court and best use of limited time, we have proposed the following sites or areas for the court to visit. We note the court has provided feedback and direction in finalising the site visit itinerary. Manuherikia Catchment & Upper Taieri – Helicopter The Manuherikia has received much attention at the Hearing and many of the parties speaking to their submissions are located in and around the surrounding catchments. The “plumbing” of the Manuherikia is complex and best appreciated by air. This includes the water race networks, weirs and diversions, hydrology - including flowing and drier reaches, Falls Dam, and the tributaries of interest that would be difficult to access by vehicle or foot. There would also be value in extending the visit to the Upper Taieri, if time permits. The court can contextualise at a high level a broad range of different methods of irrigation, farm types, and flow regimes by hovering over the suggested sites. We note that it is not possible to stop and view the sites without arranging access and limiting the number of sites. 1 Court minute of 4 February 2021 at para [5]. The invitation was sent on 5 May and two parties responded. 1
A detailed list of potential sites to view is provided in Attachment B. It is proposed that the journey will start and end at Cromwell, taking in the Manuherikia, with a lunch stop at Beaumont, then travelling over the Upper Taieri area as far as Middlemarch before returning. Falls Dam MANUHERIKIA ALEXANDRA To Cromwell UPPER TAIERI Beaumont (just off the map) MIDDLEMARCH Maps, including a map of the Manuherikia water races, will be available prior to the site visit. Details: Manuherikia Catchment – Helicopter visit Time: Monday 10 May 2021 (8.30am), back up options will be discussed separately Cromwell pick up 8.30am / drop off 2pm (location TBC) Attendees (6-seater helicopter): • Court (x3) • Pete Ravenscroft (ORC Guide) • Court Security Officer Places of interest to visit: Refer to Attachments A and B 2
Taieri Catchment – Desktop flyover (Google earth or similar) The Taieri is a very large catchment and sits between Dunedin and Cromwell. It has been suggested to fly, or to drive. As an alternative approach, we suggest a combination of a desktop flyover (Google earth or similar) and an extension of the Manuherikia helicopter visit. The desktop flyover could be supplemented by photos of the Sinclair Wetlands, farmland comprising the former locations of Lakes Tatawai and Marama te Taha, the Taieri Scroll Plain - the former site of Taieri Lake and a traditionally important mahika kai area, and other sites. If time permits, the court may wish to also look at the Upper Clutha Basin, including Bendigo Basin and Hawea Basin as an example of change in land use (intensification and irrigation expansion) along the banks of the Clutha and Hawea Rivers and the Clutha River Terraces. A more detailed itinerary will be prepared and available on the day. Details: Taieri Catchment – Desktop flyover (Google earth or similar) Time: Monday 10 May 2021 (3pm) Cromwell & Districts Presbyterian Church, 10 Elspeth Street, Cromwell Attendees: • Court • Mike Cummings (ORC Guide) • Paulette Tamati-Elliffe from Te Rūnanga o Ōtakou (Ngā Rūnanga Guide) • Court support staff • Any parties or public who wish to attend Places of interest to visit: Refer to Attachment A A more detailed itinerary will be prepared and available on the day. 3
Specific locations (Cromwell & Alexandra) – Drive A number of specific locations covering a range of waterbody types and values, farm types, and irrigation methods have been put forward. Time may not permit all sites to be visited. Private sites include McArthur Ridge Vineyard, Webb Fruits Orchard and Manata Estate Vineyard, which the court has heard evidence on, including the range of sophistication in irrigation and water storage. Site access and health and safety arrangements will be made. A number of other sites, some of which the court may have also viewed from the helicopter, have been suggested. If time permits, visiting some of these from the ground would add another dimension. The Bannockburn has also been suggested. A route is proposed for the court to consider. This has been prepared in consultation with Mr Parcell, a representative for a number of Bannockburn parties. It includes vantage points over Felton Road orchards and vineyards and land irrigated by Carrick irrigation near Gully Road. Mr Parcell also intends to present photos of the Carrick scheme and wider area during his representation prior to the site visit. A starting point of sites to visit is mapped out below, with further details in Attachment A. The court may wish to confirm which sites are of interest after the helicopter visit and following the presentations from the parties speaking to their submissions or evidence prior to the site visit. Thursday 13 May 2021 (before the Hearing) Details: Bannockburn – Drive (by Car) Time: Thursday 13 May 2021 (7.30am) Pick up 7.30am / drop off 9am (Cromwell & Districts Presbyterian Church, 10 Elspeth Street, Cromwell). Pick up 7.40am for Mr Anderson (Bannockburn Hotel car park, 420 Bannockburn Road) Attendees: • Court • Court Security Officer • Nominated Guide (Richard Anderson) 4
Friday 14 May 2021 Maps of the orchard and vineyard sites to visit are provided in Attachment C. Community representative(s) The court has requested that a community representative(s) accompany it on the site visit. Two nominations were received from counsel: • Mr Graye Shattky (MBE) is a member of the Manuherekia Water Strategy Group, a former secretary of COES, and was involved in the establishment of the St Bathans Area Community Association and the Central Otago Branch of the (former) New Zealand Historic Places Trust. He also chairs the Central Otago Heritage Trust. • Mr Roger Williams is the operations manager for the Omakau Area Irrigation Scheme, a role he has held for 30 years. He is well known and respected as the ‘raceman’ for Falls Dam. He has worked on farms in Balclutha and Maniototo, and on both the Hawkdun and Maniototo irrigation schemes. Mr Williams has a detailed understanding of the Manuherikia. Counsel have confirmed the nominated representatives are available to accompany the court. Details: Specific locations (Cromwell & Alexandra) – Drive (by Car) Time: Friday 14 May 2021 (8am) Cromwell pick up 8am / drop off 2pm (Cromwell & Districts Presbyterian Church, 10 Elspeth Street, Cromwell). Alexandra pick up 8.20am for Mr Pretorius, Mr Shattky & Mr Williams (ORC Office on Dunorling Street). Attendees: • Court • Byron Pretorius (ORC Guide) • Submitter representatives (nominations are Mr Shattky and Mr Williams) 5
• Hearing Administrator • Court Security Officer • Webb Fruits Orchard site guide (David Webb) • Mc Arthur Ridge Vineyard site guide (Murray Petrie) • Manata Estate site guide (Amanda) Places of interest to visit: Refer to Attachment A and summary below. Total time available: 6 hours • Driving time: 2 hours (approx.) • Visits: 3 hours • Contingency: 1 hour Maps of the orchard and vineyard sites are also provided in Attachment C. Start at Cromwell Presbyterian Church (Hearing venue) Travel to Alexandra Mc Arthur Ridge Vineyard – 98 McArthur Road 1 hour Shaky Bridge (if time permits also travel up to Loop Road Bridge) 10 minutes Omeo Creek 10 minutes Travel to Cromwell Stop for lunch at the Clyde dam lookout and visit Dairy Creek 20 minutes Webb Fruits Orchard – 25 Luggate-Cromwell Road 45 minutes Low Burn – Manata Estate Vineyard - 79 Heaney Road 30 minutes Amisfield Burn 5 minutes Return to Cromwell Presbyterian Church (Hearing venue) Next Steps A health and safety plan will be circulated will be circulated prior to the site visits. We are also confirming access to private sites and liaising with the community representative nominees. Dated: 11 May 2021 Glen Cooper Hearing Administrator 6
Attachment A List of potential site visit locations nominated by counsel or discussed in the hearing so far: Site General Comment Recommendation Location Lake Hayes Lake Hayes Nominated by Fish & Game. Contains Do not visit, not Outlet/ / Arrowtown examples of abstraction from primary essential Hayes Creek allocation which have low degrees of hydrological alteration. Considered relevant to the consideration of what a ‘no more than minor’ impact with reference to Dr Hayes’ evidence. Fish & Game also acknowledge this location would be out of the way (noting time for site visits is limited) and do not consider it essential for the court. Leaning Alexandra Nominated by Hort NZ. The court has Do not visit, Webb Rock heard evidence regarding the orchard. Fruits is preferred Cherries if time is limited Hort NZ would prefer the court visit the Webb Fruits orchard if time is limited. Mc Arthur Alexandra Nominated by McArthur Ridge & Ors. Visit Ridge The court has heard evidence on the Vineyard vineyard water storage, irrigation infrastructure, frost fighting, and areas planner for future irrigation. At least an hour would be needed to cover the sites of interest (noting the property is very large). Young Hill Alexandra Nominated by Fish & Game. Refer to Do not visit, or visit Creek comments for Omeo Creek, noting Hill if time permits Young Creek (upper) is an example of a waterbody with an intermittent nature. Fish & Game acknowledge it will not be possible to see all small creeks. Low Burn Cromwell Nominated by Fish & Game. Refer to Visit (quick stop on comments for Omeo Creek, noting Hill roadside) Low Burn is an example of a waterbody with multiple abstractors and complex arrangements. We understand much of the stream is located on private property. The court may be able to be view a glimpse of a water race from Swann Road on the way to Manata Estate Vineyard. 7
Site General Comment Recommendation Location JR Webb Cromwell Nominated by Hort NZ. The court has Visit and Sons Ltd heard evidence regarding the – 25 orchard’s take from Lake Dunstan, Luggate- root stock management, plans for Cromwell expansion of irrigated area, and frost Road fighting. The property also has examples of small storage dams. Manata Cromwell Nominated by Aotearoa NZ Fine Visit Estate - 5 Wines. The court heard evidence on Swann Rd the property containing an example of RD2 a historic water race, vineyard irrigation, dam and outlet downstream of the initial water take. Amisfield Cromwell Nominated by Ngā Rununga. At the Visit Burn State Highway - it is intermittent halfway between the State Highway and Lake Dunstan, but maintains flow naturally between the upstream take point and the State Highway. Listed as an important river for trout in the Plan schedule for natural values. No race discharges into it, only abstractions from it, so the bed condition is good. Also nominated by Fish & Game as an example of a waterbody with an intermittent nature. Bannockburn Cromwell Nominated by OWRUG. An example Visit where deemed permits are yet to be replaced. Bannockburn is close to Cromwell, so time may permit a visit. No specific site(s) were proposed at this stage. We understand the Carrick Irrigation Scheme which can be viewed from the roadside and may be a suitable location; however, we suggest the court make a call after hearing from a number of Bannockburn parties on 12 May. Mr E Parcell provided comments on the draft itinerary. In response, we note the court will undertake a site visit on the morning of 13 May, rather than on 14 May as initially indicated. Details TBC. 8
Site General Comment Recommendation Location Dairy Creek / Between We propose this location as a lunch Visit (lunch stop) Lookout Cromwell stop for the specific locations site visit. and Located mid-way between Cromwell Alexandra and Alexandra there is a lookout with views over the Clyde Dam. Within a short walk it is also possible to view Dairy Creek – a complex example of water and land use management. Omeo Creek Alexandra Nominated by Ngā Rununga. Under Visit natural flow conditions there would be surface water connection between Omeo Creek, Fraser River and Te Mata-au main stem. Omeo Creek, Fraser River and irrigation run-off are primary contributors to the Earnscleugh Terrace Aquifer. Omeo Creek water is also connected to springs in the lower Fraser River area. Kōura are present in Omeo Creek and tuna, kanakana, kōaro and galaxiids are potentially resident in the Fraser River. Also nominated by Fish & Game. Omeo Creek (as well as the Low Burn, Young Hill Creek and the Amisfield Burn) is an example of a smaller catchment impacted by deemed permits. All creeks mentioned above have current applications on them or have had replacement consents granted on them in the last 4 years. Seeing abstractive pressure on small streams (where hydrology can be less well understood and may be highly modified) will complement seeing the mainstems of larger rivers. Omeo Creek is also an example of a small creek with groundwater interactions. 9
Manuherekia Central Nominated by Ngā Rununga. A Visit (helicopter) River Otago / helicopter trip the length of the river Alexandra (from area above Falls Dam to the confluence with Mata-au Clutha) could be useful. Focus on Falls Dam, moving down to Thomsons Creek, from Thomsons Gorge to Omakau, Thomsons Gorge/ Thomsons Saddle (a route through to the Lindis Pass, referred to in Edward Ellison’s evidence). Lower catchment around Manor Burn – Galloway to Alexandra Campground – the campground area is downstream of, and affected by, the combined abstractions in the catchment. Also nominated by Fish & Game. This is because the catchment is the leading example of a complex large catchment in Otago. The prominence of the catchment and recent work programmes completed in the area mean that it is front and centre for many witnesses and submitters. It is useful for the court to view the catchment to put those references into context. ORC added that if the court is viewing by helicopter that it look upstream of Falls Dam to see the braided river less impacted by water takes and damming/augmentation. By helicopter there will be some viewpoints where the court can seek the race of the Hawkdun Ida Burn Irrigation Scheme running along the face of the Hawkdun Range. Further, when the court is visiting the river below Falls Dam (in the gorge and around Fiddlers Flat or at the Bridge at St Bathans Loop Rd) it would be useful to have an understanding of how the dam is being managed at the time of the site visit and the flows that are recorded below the dam. ORC can arrange this. In response to the draft itinerary Mr S Craig queried why a security officer has been given a seat over someone with good working knowledge. This is because it is an MOJ requirement. 10
Site General Comment Recommendation Location Shaky Bridge Manuherikia Nominated by COES at the Hearing. Visit (drive to and Loop Including viewing the changes to the Shaky Bridge, and Road Bridge Manuherikia River between Loop if time permits also (St Bathans) Road Bridge and Shaky Bridge and drive to Loop contrasting the change in flows and Road Bridge – the impacts of sediment and land use. however, if short on time the court would likely have already flown over the area so may not need to see it again) General General OWRUG considered there is some Court direction: rationalisation of proposed sites that by Friday 7 May could occur. They question the utility 2021 OWRUG is in viewing catchments where permits to identify have already been replaced and catchments consider the court would be better unaffected by assisted by focusing on catchments PC7. directly affected by PC7. They also agree it would be important for the court to understand the flows it was looking at in the relevant catchments. We note no specific rationalisation suggestions were proposed. Linnburn Taieri Nominated by WISE Response. David Court direction: Station Crutchley farms at Kyeburn is part of A land based visit (Upper the Kyeburn flow sharing group and to Linnburn Taieri) or has similar soil and water conservation Station and David management practices as Linnburn Kyeburn is not to Crutchley Station in the Upper Taieri. be included in the farms We understand ORC and WISE itinerary. At the (Kyeburn) Response have been discussing how conclusion of visiting these sites would assist the evidence, the court. We are unsure if these sites will court will consider be presented in any detail in the any need to representation and/or evidence by schedule a second WISE Response and have sought site visit, including clarification. Given the distance of these properties. these farms from Cromwell and Alexandra, it is unlikely time will permit the physical visit requested without adding an extra day, or other sites would need to be bumped. Adding these farm sites to the desktop flyover has been suggested as a way forward, but the added value in this is unclear. 11
Site General Comment Recommendation Location Taieri River Taieri Nominated by Ngā Rununga. It could Visit (desktop be useful for the court to fly the length flyover, of the Taieri in a helicopter, however, if complemented by that is not possible, then focus on the a helicopter visit of following areas: Lower Taieri, Waipori/ the Upper Taieri if Waihola wetland complex - Sinclair time permits Wetlands, Southern end of Kirks Drain during the Road and Marshall Road, towards Manuherikia visit) Maungatua Road. The farmland comprises the former locations of Lakes Tatawai and Marama te Taha referred to in Edward Ellison’s evidence. Also include the Upper/ Mid Taieri, Taieri Scroll Plain, and the road from Waipiata to Kokonga – this is the former site of Taieri Lake and a traditionally important mahika kai area. From there, the Court may travel along the road closest to Taieri River, through to Sutton. ORC added that if undertaking the site visit by helicopter or desktop flyover, we would also recommend some aspects of the Waipori catchment above the wetland complex (Waipori Gorge & Lake Mahinerangi, and some of its tributaries). The court may also wish to view the Kyeburn which has been referred to in evidence as an example of a sub catchment (of the Taieri) where farmers have developed a flow sharing regime. ORC also suggested that if time permits, the court may wish to look at the Upper Clutha Basin, including Bendigo Basin and Hawea Basin as an example of change in land use (intensification and irrigation expansion) along the banks of the Clutha and Hawea Rivers and the Clutha River Terraces. 12
Attachment B List of potential site visit locations for the Maunherikia and Upper Taieri helicopter visit. MANUHERIKIA UPPER TAIERI Manuherikia Site Location Activity Easting Northings Comments No. 0 Dairy Creek Water take 1310496 4991712 Taking water from L Dunstan 4m3/s 1 McArthur rd Horticultural 1318346 4987336 Vineyards, pip fruit area 2 MIS Main water race 1318429 4989049 3 Lower Manor Irrigation storage 1320648 4984771 Part of the Galloway Scheme. Habitat model Burn Dam dam reach 4 Galloway Irr. Water take 1322877 4989789 Part of the Galloway Scheme Scheme 5 Chatto Ck Flow recorders, 1325202 4992035 Starting point of the general decline in the confluence bottom of gorge river 6 MIS Main water race 1326738 4996104 Exit point of MIS tunnel. Chatto Ck - Oak tree catchment, rare galaxias present 7 MIS Water take 1329393 4997278 Hole in the side of the cliff take - large take 2.8m3/s 8 Catchment Overview 1326073 5008527 Boundary bewteen Chatto/Thomson's Ck, boundary Omakau w/race transferring water into Thomson's 13
9 Thomson's Water take 1329271 5012688 Flow recorder, Matakanui w/race, fish Ck passage, top end of drying reach. Omakau taking all surface water 10 Thomson's Bottom end of 1332559 5007551 Gauging locations, Omakau discharge, top Ck drying reach end of galaxias distrbution, surface water _Mawhinney gaining reach. Water temp loggers rd 11 Thomson's Ophir flow 1331802 4999110 Flow recorder, habitat model reach, Effluent Ck recorder point discharge, top end of the gorge _Mawhinney rd 12 Lauder Ck Confluence 1338387 5005170 Rail trail flow recorder, 13 Lauder Ck Drying reach 1338677 5012871 Gaining reach, galaxiids, gauging locations, temp loggers 14 Lauder Ck Water take 1334192 5015300 Omakau take all the surface flows, water race, fish passage issues, losing reach dries naturally every 2-3yrs based on MALF flows 15 Lauder Ck Flow recorders 1332311 5016522 Flow recorder 16 Dunstan/main Confluence 1344678 5013180 Omakau main take w/race, Dunstan Ck stem sportsfish values, galaxiids. Depleted reach of confluence the main-stem, Phil Smith flow recorder 17 Main-stem Water take 1347226 5014378 Omakau take 2m3/s, water race, fish passage, residual flow concerns 18 Dunstan Ck Beattie rd 1344765 5018649 Flow recorder 19 Dunstan Ck Omakau take 1344171 5021506 Wate take .450m/s, Omakau water race t/right , "Southern" water race t/left .300m3/s 20 Dunstan Ck Flow recorder 1344639 5033057 Gorge flow recorder 21 Main -stem Loop Rd 1351637 5022325 Flying over flow recorder, entering the gorge section 22 Main-stem Falls Dam 1355383 5026554 Falls Dam, glory hole, max dishcharge when not fill 4.2m3/s 23 Main-stem Reach above 1355355 5038740 Alpine galaxias, springs, wetlands, bird Falls Dam values, flow recorder, Hawkdun Ida w/race 24 Hawkdun /Ida Follow race 1362895 5024129 128km race, water taken over the Taieri , view w/race down the Ida Valley. 2m3/s 25 Ida Burn Over view 1365063 5011279 Looking into the Taieri catchment, land irrgated by Manuherekia water, Naseby 26 Ida Burn Ida Burn Dam 1354886 5009210 Starting of the drying reach, galaxiid values. T/right water race 27 Ida Burn Ida Burn 1343719 5004641 Flow recorder, flows intermittent, galaxiids. /Poolburn Use of stored water confluence 28 Maori Ck High 1342931 4988024 Central Otago roundheads and Clutha flat conservation heads values 29 Poolburn W/race 1340602 4986284 Water coming from Poolburn dam, can be Reservoir distribution point supplemented by Manor Burn water, highlight water races 30 Poolburn 1345614 4978486 Take 1.1m3/s, valued sportsfishery, koura Dam populations, Kirk Ck high fish vlaues (clutha flats) 31 Totara Ck Water take 1347381 4970909 Transfer of water from Taieri into Manuherekia, water take shared Poolburn taking winter flows and Linn Burn Station taking summer flows. Totara hybrid galaxias. Overview into the Taieri 32 Manor Burn Dam 1334516 4971069 2.1m3/s. General overview of the site, L Dam Onslow maybe able to be seen 33 Manor Burn water pick up 1333611 4974770 Transfer point water taken into the w/race - point water being transferred in to Moa Creek/reservior- from Moa Creek water can be ran down both sides of the Poolburn Valley as well as over into Crawford Hill and the top w/race. Two parallel w.race running along Crwaford Hills down the Poolburn Valley 34 Manor Burn Area high in fish 1330197 4969976 Bickersatffe and Hopes Ck high fish values values 14
Upper Taieri Site Location Activity Easting Northings Comments No. 0 Lake Onslow Overview 1339822 4950544 Taieri / Clutha catchment boundaries, threatened fish Teviot flats, dusky galaxias 1 Taieri Rapids 1346095 4949304 Rapids creating a barrier bewteen trout and galaxias (Taieri flthaed galaxias) 2 Taieri Canadian 1345246 4951772 Flow recorder, signifcant wetland -Taieri Scroll Flats Plain 3 Logan Burn Irrigation 1359826 4954717 Rare fish, sportfishery, signifcant wetland Reservior storage dam 4 Taieri Scroll Plain 1354028 4961847 Wetland - natural flows 5 Taieri Paerau Weir 1361357 4967212 Storage pond and power generation 6.m3/s 6 Water race Power Station 1360658 4973757 Power station, Hore Pond - which divides the water down both sides of the Maniototo 7 Taieri main- Trust power 1361532 4976278 stem 8 Taieri main- Taieri Scroll 1362588 4981458 Signifcant wetland stem Plain 9 Taieri Sow Burn 1368716 4982364 Patearoa / water race, rare galaxiids 10 Ewe Burn 1370132 5003936 Rare galaxiids, Ranfurly, Naseby forest, Manuherekia water 11 Kye burn Little Kye Burn 1381604 5013292 Rare galaxiids, Gold mining 12 Kye Burn Healy Creek 1389251 5017181 2 rare galaxiids, Timber Creek 13 Taieri Kye Burn 1382234 4991220 Confluence with the Taieri River. Minimum flow at Waipata 1000. Minimum flow at Tiroiti 1100 - from Sutton 1250 14 Taieri Minimum flow 1385911 4984835 Tiroiti minimum flow site 1100 site 15 Taieri Middlemarch 1376811 4957012 Township of Middlemarch, Sutton minimum flow site 1250. 15
Attachment C McArthur Ridge Vineyard 16
17
Webb Fruits Orchard 18
Manata Estate Vineyard 19
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