Temuka's only cheese maker is talking with its staff about plans to relocate to Christchurch.

Dairyworks, which produces Alpine and Rolling Meadow cheeses is planning to move its factory from Temuka in South Canterbury to Hornby.

Chairman Graham Heenan says the plant will close in June and its 23 staff will today be asked to relocate or take redundancy. He says Dairyworks' operations have simply become too big for its current factory, which is around 150 kilometres south of Christchurch.

Mr Heenan says the company also wants to be closer to Christchurch to save on transport costs.

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An Otago orchardist says his property will be completely submerged if Contact Energy is allowed to build a hydro-electric dam on the Clutha River at Beaumont or Tuapeka.

Opponents of the proposed Clutha River dam say Contact Energy will push through the dam regardless of public opinion.

Contact Energy is asking for public input via its website on four possible sites for a dam along the river at Luggate, Queensberry, Beaumont and Tuapeka.

Millers Flat orchardist Darryl Peirce doubts Contact Energy will listen to the public's views on the dam.

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The Hawkes Bay Regional Council has placed further irrigation bans on local rivers as the dry Autumn continues.

The entire Ngaruroro River is now off limits for irrigation.

Bans are also still in place on other rivers, including the Waipawa River, Papanui Stream, Karewarewa Stream and Irongate Stream.

The Karamu and Maraekakaho Streams are also near their low flow limits.

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