Water use focus of Bay agriculture meeting

Bay farmers and orchardists can learn more about how to use water more efficiently at a session in Pongakawa early next month.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has organised an evening seminar at Pongakawa Hall on Tuesday, February 3 at 7.30pm to talk to farmers about irrigation and water use.

Paul Reese of Irrigation New Zealand (INZ) will talk about different structures, benefits, pit falls and examples of water user groups, and INZ's Smart Irrigation programme and how it can help farmers and orchardists manage irrigation better to save money and increase profit.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Water Project Implementation Officer Scott Mahupuku will outline how the Regional Council is implementing Central Government requirements around water.

"Water is a major focus for the Regional Council, and we're working to implement Central Government's requirements to set community-agreed water limits for quality and quantity," Mr Mahupuku said.

"We're developing plans for each area along with the community. Having a session for local water users to help them manage their water use better is part of our focus on water."

The meeting is at the Pongakawa Hall in Old Coach Road next to Pongakawa School.