Central Plains Irrigation Scheme Project

Overview:

• The Central Plains Irrigation Scheme project is a large-scale proposal for water diversion, damming, reticulation and irrigation for the Central Plains of Canterbury, New Zealand.
• The scheme originated as a feasibility study jointly initiated and funded by Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council.
• It is one of the few true private project financing transactions in New Zealand in recent years, with stage II of the project involving project financing for a 20,000ha expansion of the scheme. 
• Stage II closed in December 2016 at NZ$219 million, while stage I completed in 2015 at NZ$180 million.

Adam Majeed - Regional editor