Land owners who have water races on or adjacent to their property and who pay stockwater rates for water from the Methven Auxiliary Intake are receiving letters this week asking them to take part in a survey about the future of the intake.

It is part of Council’s programme to exit its district-wide stockwater service, as per the Long Term Plan 2024-34.

The transition exit plan involves considering the future of 17 intakes, including whether they can be closed or operated by others. Each intake consideration begins with a survey of those who receive their stockwater from it.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said just over 200 letters were being sent in the next few days to property owners who pay stockwater rates for the Methven Auxiliary fed portion of the network.

“The letters contain a survey which we would like them to fill out, or they can do it online via a private link in the letter. We’d like the surveys returned by 17 February 2025, and then we’ll assess the information, principally to determine who needs stockwater and who doesn’t. This is a fairly complicated programme of work, and we want to help property owners through it as much as we can.”

Consultant John Wright will follow up with the stockwater users who may need to find alternative sources.

“This first survey is for those who pay for and use the stockwater with a second survey being made available to those with an interest in the stockwater races whose water comes from the Methven Auxiliary Intake. Interested parties or groups could, for example, include people who live along Thyme Stream and while they don’t pay stockwater rates they may want to give us feedback on the stream running through their subdivision.

“We are also open to hearing from organised groups with a solid plan to take over a particular intake.”

Mr McCann said the information gleaned from the surveys would be confidential to Council and its consultant.

“The next intake for consideration is Bushside, and it will start with a similar survey of those who use stockwater from this intake.”

The intakes have been put in order for consideration, and the exit plan aims to have the programme of work finished by 30 June 2027.

Mr McCann said property owners could still request race closures in their own area and that work would continue alongside the intake work.

The Stockwater Exit Transition Plan is available on Council’s website and affected property owners and stakeholders will be contacted as the work progresses.

Updates will be provided regularly to the Stockwater Transition Working Group, led by Cr Richard Wilson. It meets next on 6 March.

You can view the Stockwater Exit Transition Plan here.

You can view the intake-by-intake programme of work here.