{"id":1742,"date":"2016-09-02T17:56:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T05:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/new-zealand\/press-release\/is-there-a-dirty-big-irrigation-scheme-planned-near-you\/"},"modified":"2024-07-12T15:19:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T03:19:22","slug":"is-there-a-dirty-big-irrigation-scheme-planned-near-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/is-there-a-dirty-big-irrigation-scheme-planned-near-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Is there a dirty big irrigation scheme planned near you?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the last two weeks, one third of people in Havelock North have fallen ill with a gastro illness that originated in the town\u2019s water supply. <\/p>\n

The source? Most likely contamination from cows, sheep or deer.<\/a><\/p>\n

By all accounts the last couple of weeks have been hell for the people of Havelock North. This isn\u2019t what\u2019s supposed to happen in a \u201cclean, green\u201d first world country.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the chances of it happening again are about to increase, with a series of industrial irrigation schemes planned around New Zealand.<\/p>\n

These schemes will mean more intensive agriculture, and therefore more water pollution. We should be cleaning up and protecting our waterways, not building giant irrigation dams that drive more agricultural intensification and compound the problem.<\/p>\n

This map shows where big irrigation schemes are planned – do you live near one?<\/p>\n

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Despite the risks of big irrigation, the Government is throwing over half a billion taxpayer<\/a> dollars at it, and local councils are pouring in millions of dollars of ratepayers\u2019 money<\/a>. In doing so they\u2019re essentially sanctioning water pollution.<\/p>\n

Remember local elections are coming up. The Havelock North crisis has ensured water quality is high on the political agenda in the Hawke\u2019s Bay. It needs to be a big election issue in every place big irrigation is planned. <\/p>\n

If you live in one of the areas likely to be effected by a dam, make sure you’re enrolled to vote, make sure you actually do vote, and be sure to ask your local candidates their position on large-scale irrigation and the expansion of industrial agriculture.<\/p>\n

You can find more details of dams planned around New Zealand below.<\/p>\n

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WAIRARAPA DAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n