Manuherekia River Local Bill

What is this about?

We’re working to resolve a long-running issue around water management in the Manuherekia catchment that affects farming, horticulture, town water supplies, and the future of Falls Dam.

Council will be voting in October 2026 on whether to continue developing a Local Bill to Parliament following independent legal advice that identified it as the most effective way forward.

Why does this matter?

The Manuherekia River is central to life in the catchment – it supports farming, horticulture, viticulture, and Omakau and Ophir townships. Both townships rely on the river for their drinking water, and already experience low-water alerts in summer.

Falls Dam plays a critical role in managing water storage and flow in the catchment, but is nearly 90 years old and nearing the end of its life. Before any decisions can be made on its future, a minimum flow rate for the river needs to be determined and set.

This issue has been unresolved since 2015, and the uncertainty is limiting investment and planning across the entire catchment.

Why a Local Bill?

During 2026, Council sought advice on costs, risks, and legal options — including an independent assessment of eight regulatory and legislative pathways — before identifying a Local Bill as the most effective way forward. A Local Bill would allow Parliament to set a legally binding minimum flow rate and grant the authority needed to enable work on Falls Dam. While not a typical process for a district council to follow, waiting for a regional planning process may not resolve the issue until 2029–30.

What happens next?

No flow rate has been determined or set yet. Before that happens, we’ll be engaging widely with mana whenua, the Otago Regional Council, water users, Fish & Game, environmental groups, and the wider community. There will be a formal public consultation process where you can make a submission on the recommended minimum flow rate. Council will vote at several stages before any Bill is formally introduced to Parliament.

As more information becomes available, we’ll be sharing it here.