Irrigation and its effect on land use change : a study into the impact of irrigation on changes in land use in the Tasman District

Abstract

Severe drought in the recent summer of 2000/01 highlighted the significant impact that water plays in the productive land based industries of the Tasman district. Rationing of irrigation water reached an unprecedented level. This, coupled with the Tasman District Councils proposed resource management plan for water, questioned the efficient and equitable allocation of water for irrigation. The aims of this report are to gain an understanding of the resource and associated issues, to determine future land uses changes, and to identify barriers to change.