Pre-construction work for new Falls Dam
Published: 26 February, 2026
Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) funding will support the future resilience of Central Otago’s primary industries with a $2 million loan towards pre construction work on a proposed replacement for the 90-year-old Falls Dam near St Bathans, Otago.
Falls Dam is a vital piece of regional water infrastructure, supporting around 8,000 hectares of productive land for horticulture, viticulture, and sheep and beef farming.
A new dam would provide dependable water for farms and rural communities, improve the region’s climate resilience by storing winter and spring flows, and support farm conversions to higher value land uses like horticulture and viticulture.
Supported by the RIF, the pre-construction programme will ensure the region has the information it needs to plan for a secure and sustainable water supply.
The loan recipient, Manuherikia River Limited (MRL), will use the funding to confirm regulatory requirements, consenting, engineering and detailed design, procurement, construction costs, and financing options. MRL will contribute $2 million in co-funding towards the pre construction programme.
The pre construction phase is expected to take around 2 years to complete.