Irrigation Journal Winter 2012 - sample

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In ThIs Issue: iaL and the basin pLan

irrigating green space agricuLturaL irrigation upgrades

key area connectivity mapping cash incentives for irrigation businesses

overview of the draft basin pLan

Living with mining in the nSw north west

micro SprinkLerS

from Australia to the world

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strategic framework

The JOurnal fOr irrigaTiOn PrOfessiOnals

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TUM

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ISSN

081

8–9

447

PP

245

227/

0002

9

In ThIs Issue: iaL and the basin pLan

irrigating green space agricuLturaL irrigation upgrades

key area connectivity mapping cash incentives for irrigation businesses

overview of the draft basin pLan

Living with mining in the nSw north west

micro SprinkLerS

from Australia to the world

recycLed wAter

strategic framework

The JOurnal fOr irrigaTiOn PrOfessiOnals

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לפרטים נוספים ניתן לפנות למחלקת מכירות חקלאות בישראלגלקון קיבוץ כפר בלום, מיקוד 12150 טל. 04-6900222 פקס. 04-6902727

www.galcon.co.il אתר [email protected] .דוא”ל[email protected] .גלקון דרום קיבוץ נגבה טל. 08-6736804 דוא”ל

• Secured online irrigation management

• Web based - anywhere, anytime

• Easy and simple operation

• Real time alarm to your PC and smartphone

• Flow monitoring

• Outlook calendar irrigation planning

• Plug & Play no technician required for installation

• Weather (ET) based irrigation

:contact‏please‏info‏additional‏For‏Galcon‏Kfar‏Blum‏Tel.972-4-6900222‏Fax.‏972-4-6902727‏Email.‏[email protected].‏www.galconc.com

HR Products Tel.08-9455-1677‏Email.‏[email protected]. www.hrproducts.com.au

We are Proud to Announce

WebAccess

CellularCommunication

SmartIrrigation

AC/DCPlug & Play

Des

ign:

u

cs.c

o.il

G.S.I » Galcon‏Smart‏Irrigation Web Based Smart Controller‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

autuMn 2012 1

ContEntS

Chairman's report 2

CEo's Message 3

From the Editor 3

irrigation technology: agriculture 4

irrigation technology: urban 6

the Big issue 10

nPSi irrigation insights 20

Smart approved watermark 21

iaL news 23

Professional Development 26

research 28

around industry 36

State roundup 40

iCiD insights 41

Contractors Corner 48

Bookshelf 49

new products and Features 52

IrrIGAtIon AuStrAlIA 2012ConFerenCe And trAde ShoW CAtAloGue 57

PrESSuriSED irrigation FEaturEConverting furrow irrigation to overhead systems 16Pressurised pumping systems for agricultural irrigation 18

gaSCoYnE irrigation PiPELinE ProJECt up and running 30

BuSinESS FEaturE work health and safety – compliance in a new era 32

irrigEar irrigear looks to the year ahead 34

auStraLian irrigatED agriCuLturEPreparing for a future with less water 42

LEgaL FEaturEwhat does the new Personal Properties Securities act mean for suppliers in the irrigation industry? 46

fEATuRES

REGulAR ITEmS

on tHE Front CoVErirrigation australia Conference and trade Show is the irrigation event of 2012. this year it includes the 7th iCiD asian regional Conference and will welcome visitors from around australia and the world.

4

14 30

1042

The production of this publication has been funded by HAL using voluntary contributions from Irrigation Australia Ltd and matched funds from the Australian Government.

לפרטים נוספים ניתן לפנות למחלקת מכירות חקלאות בישראלגלקון קיבוץ כפר בלום, מיקוד 12150 טל. 04-6900222 פקס. 04-6902727

www.galcon.co.il אתר [email protected] .דוא”ל[email protected] .גלקון דרום קיבוץ נגבה טל. 08-6736804 דוא”ל

• Secured online irrigation management

• Web based - anywhere, anytime

• Easy and simple operation

• Real time alarm to your PC and smartphone

• Flow monitoring

• Outlook calendar irrigation planning

• Plug & Play no technician required for installation

• Weather (ET) based irrigation

:contact‏please‏info‏additional‏For‏Galcon‏Kfar‏Blum‏Tel.972-4-6900222‏Fax.‏972-4-6902727‏Email.‏[email protected].‏www.galconc.com

HR Products Tel.08-9455-1677‏Email.‏[email protected]. www.hrproducts.com.au

We are Proud to Announce

WebAccess

CellularCommunication

SmartIrrigation

AC/DCPlug & Play

Des

ign:

u

cs.c

o.il

G.S.I » Galcon‏Smart‏Irrigation Web Based Smart Controller‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

2

iaL SuPPort oFFiCE

Po Box 863, Mascot nSw 1460

P (02) 8335 4000 F (02) 8335 4099

www.irrigation.org.au

CEo: ian atkinson

Email: [email protected]

PuBLiSHEr

www.commstrat.com.au

Level 8, 574 St Kilda road

Melbourne ViC 3004

Po Box 6137, St Kilda rd Central 8008

t (03) 8534 5000 F (03) 9530 8911

EDitoriaL

Editor: annE CurrEY

DESign & ProDuCtion

art Director: annette Epifanidis

aDVErtiSing

national Sales Manager: Brian rault

E [email protected]

t (03) 8534 5014

aDVErtiSing

advertising in this journal is managed by

CommStrat on behalf of irrigation australia

Limited. irrigation australia Limited takes no

responsibility for the technical accuracy of

article content. all contact with businesses

and organisations about advertising is made

by CommStrat sales staff, who must identify

themselves and the fact that they work for

CommStrat on behalf of the iaL. no special

consideration will be given to any advertisers

as far as editorial content or front cover

material is concerned. Decisions about editorial

content and the front cover are the prerogative

of the editor and the national Board of the iaL.

advertising enquiries should be directed to the

national Sales Manager.

ChAIRmAN’S REPoRT

As A CHILd growing up in the riverland I remember fondly visits from family friends, the Champions, for two reasons: fi rstly, Greg (of Coodabeen Champions fame) playing guitar and, secondly, the arrival of a bag of second hand clothes. Th ese were passed to Greg’s father by the father of the previous wearer. Th is is why for many years I went off to school wearing monogrammed socks bearing the words “Alexander downer”.

Aft er a career in politics, which culminated as foreign minister in the Howard government, Alexander took the path of so many politicians, going into business as a consultant. He joined Nick Bolkus and Ian smith in establishing “corporate advisory” fi rm Bespoke Approach which aims to infl uence government policy in favour of its fee paying clients - including mining and gaming companies.

Policy decisions are infl uenced by two factors: the platform on which the successful party stood on at the last election and the political culture of the Australian people. Th e former governs the policies the government would like to implement and the latt er what the public is likely to accept.

Th e multi-million dollar spend by the Minerals Council of Australia on their “Th is is our story” campaign (htt p://www.thisisourstory.com.au) comes at a time when the industry is under scrutiny on its environmental performance and facing a push for increased mining royalties and a price on carbon. Gina reinhardt, Andrew Forrest and Clive Palmer are nowhere to be seen, instead you see people “like you and me”. Th e campaign is aimed at infl uencing both the policies of government and the att itudes of the public, in favour of a single sector.

In the usA, lobbyists are the formal conduit between politicians and those seeking to infl uence policy. Th e recent Cruddas incident in the uk, where senior party fundraisers off ered private access to the British PM in return for donations, should ring loud warning bells about the dangers of linking policy to cash.

While the mining sector may contribute more in wealth today than the agriculture sector, there is a considerable diff erence in the benefi ciaries. While the profi ts from agriculture tend to stay in the community, the profi ts from mining in large part end up in the hands of a small

group of super rich. It is far easier for them to present a unifi ed face than it is for the extremely complex and diversifi ed agriculture sector. While mining exploits a one-time resource, agriculture provides food and fi bre for the nation’s (and world’s) people. sustainable mining is a contradiction in terms whereas today it is intertwined into every aspect of agricultural operations.

While agriculture cannot compete with the power of the mining sector, I am optimistic that organisations like IAL can infl uence policy. Australia’s political system has traditionally been open to ground-up policy initiatives, whether through initiatives, driven by a local member or through public consultation undertaken by government agencies.

It is here that IAL’s conscious decision to favour advocacy over lobbying comes in to play. Many industry bodies must champion the narrow interests of the group they serve. Th e irrigation industry by comparison only exists if there are viable agriculture and lifestyle industries. Making them sustainable guarantees our survival.

so with its fi nances back in order it is time for IAL to turn its focus to the future – to those activities which will shape the face of irrigation in Australia over the next 20 years: advocacy, education, certifi cation and rde&A.

Th rough advocacy – being seen as an honest broker of independent policy advise – we can guarantee IAL a seat at the table when water related issues are being discussed. Th rough education we can keep the industry informed on what is sustainable irrigation practice. Th rough certifi cation we can prove to the public and government that we are a professional and competent industry – an industry committ ed to sustainability. Th rough r&d we can uncover the next level of industry best practice which, through extension and adoption activities, will become a constant driver for change.

so if you want to know where the Board and IAL’s staff will be directing its eff orts over the next few years, just keep that in mind. And I may just email Greg Champion to ask if he can pen some lyrics about wearing Alexander’s hand-me-downers!

PETER TOOMEIAL NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

wELCoME

autuMn 2012 3

HeLLO TO ALL our IAL members and interested others (perhaps that should be ‘potential members’). Th is issue is full of information about Adelaide Conference and Trade show and I hope to see many of you there. However, I’ve decided to talk about standards in this column.

Standards – what’s in a word?The IAL’s strategic goal for the area of best practice and standards is “To develop and promote high-quality benchmarks which can underpin the performance of irrigation design, installation of equipment, audit and management contracts; and enhance the effectiveness and risk management of government-funded programs”.

IAL and its predecessor organisations (IAA and ANCId) have had a long track record in this area with many articles, publications and accomplishments. There is still plenty to be done, however, as evidenced by continuing problems with under-designed systems being bought on cost alone out there in the real world of urban and rural irrigation. But what do we mean by the word ‘standards’ and phrases like ‘we need industry standards and benchmarks’?

some I have spoken to feel we need rigid and enforceable specifications that force the buyer and supplier into a narrow box of possibilities. They would argue, for instance, that all local government agencies should include in their tender documents for turf irrigation systems standards like a du of at least 85%, use only pipe and fittings of a specific quality, maximum pressure variation of x% and so on. Proponents of this approach believe it would provide certainty for buyers, stop people doing dodgy quotes and enable us to bett er enforce our certifi cation scheme.

Others argue for a more flexible set of best practice guidelines. These would contain much the same technical information but would only become part of the buyer–supplier relationship through the contracting process. For example, a dairy farmer might say “I want a new subsurface drip system that complies with the IAL Best Practice Guidelines for subsurface irrigation”. He could then specify this in his tender documents and final supply contract. Proponents of

this approach believe it encourages innovation and gives informed buyers more certainty without putting them into a straightjacket.

Th ere are strengths and weaknesses of each approach. A key weakness for the mandated standards approach is who is going to do the enforcement in an era when governments are generally regulating less? A key weakness for the code of practice approach is it assumes buyers are either adequately informed or can easily acquire the necessary knowledge to make good, informed decisions.

What is clear is that IAL needs to do more in the area of standards and codes of practice. It is an important issue for many of our members whether they be suppliers or buyers, big or small, and across many sectors. For instance, many of our Irrigation Water supply Interest Group members are interested in standards around equipment such as meters and sCAdA systems.

At the moment IAL is involved at a number of levels and in several projects. We are involved in two standards Australia committ ees; one working on metering standards and the other providing comment on international standards development for all manner of irrigation equipment. We have also begun work with our friends from New Zealand Irrigation on codes of practice for designing agricultural irrigation systems, something I personally think we should have had ready when John Howard announced the Commonwealth was making $10.5 billion dollars’ worth of investment in the MBd.

It would be good to get some lett ers to the editor on this topic, or just drop me a line at [email protected]

All the bestIAN ATKINSONCEO

CEo mESSAGE

EdIToRIAl

Welcome to the conference and

exhibition edition of Irrigation Australia

journal.

once every two years the journal

features a catalogue and guide to

Irrigation Australia Conference and

Trade Show, the most signifi cant event

on irrigation calendar in Australasia and

the Pacifi c. for those of you going to the

event the catalogue is your guide to the

conference program and to exhibitors.

This guide really is a directory to the

irrigation industry in Australia so is as

useful for people not attending the

event as for those who are.

of course, the journal includes its

usual line up of technical and regular

articles. our agricultural irrigation

features looks at the commitment of a

major nursery business in Queensland,

Nursery Traders Pty ltd, to invest

in the application of industry best

management practice in irrigation,

drainage and water recycling. This

investment provides a powerful

economic case for building

a sustainable business that reduces

input costs and provides continuity of

supply for major services such as water

and energy.

our urban irrigation article profi les a

major project in the ACT project to

reduce potable water demand in many

of its major large public sporting venues.

The project, called Greening the Way, is

replacing current potable supply, which

since the drought has marginal pressure

with recycled water from the capital’s

lakes and stormwater canals.

for our supplier readers in particular,

we feature an article about the newly

introduced Personal Properties Security

Act. This act changes the way that

business operators across Australia can

protect their interests against customer

default or insolvency, and as such has

important implications for irrigation

contractors and suppliers.

This is just a sample of the articles in

this edition of the journal. I hope you

enjoy the read and, if you are going to

Irrigation Australia 2012 in Adelaide,

don’t forget to say g’day and let me

know what you think about our journal

and any suggestions you might have to

improve it.

Anne CurreY Editor in Chief

4

Nursery Traders PTy Ltd is a multi-million dollar Queensland greenlife market supplying landscape, developers and retail businesses with finished nursery stock such as trees and shrubs.

Over the last 20 years the company has undertaken a sustained investment to apply industry best management practice (BMP) in irrigation, drainage and water recycling across the entire business site. This investment is the result of Nursery Traders’ philosophy of building a sustainable business that reduces input costs and provides continuity of supply for major services such as water and energy.

Figures speak for themselvesThe result is impressive figures speak for themselves and show how successful the company has been in applying continuous improvement and innovative technology as part of its planned approach to investing in sustainable production.

By adopting new and emerging technologies, Nursery Traders Pty Ltd has achieved outstanding results in improving irrigation efficiency and reducing irrigation water use, in part by recycling water. The installation of a state-of-the-art water recycling and irrigation system means that the greenlife market is now 98.5% self sufficient in irrigation water. In recognition of this achievement, last year the company was awarded the Prime Minister’s Water Wise Award and the Queensland Premier’s Industrial eco-efficiency Climatesmart category for its 20-year commitment to achieving total water self-sufficiency.

The water recycling system uses precisely planned water harvesting, filtering and recycling systems to achieve its impressive recycling figures. In 2000, the business used 33,097 kL (33 ML) of potable water (town) a hectare to irrigate the greenlife market. Compare this to 2011, when it used only 490 kL (0.49 ML) of potable water a hectare - 1.5% of the total eleven years earlier or 98.5% saving from the 2000 potable water use figure.

To put dollars to the this water saving effort, based on today’s average water price in south east Queensland, the reduction in potable water use is valued at more than $81,000 a year. Total water savings since the inception of the efficiency program are close to 500 000 000 L (500 ML).

Considering that, in all likelihood, water used for irrigation across Australia will be on some type of pricing regime in the not too distant future, irrespective of its source, these types of financial return delivered by water recycling and efficient irrigation systems make investing worthwhile because of the short payback periods and continuity of supply.

With sound planning and a medium term outlook Nursery Traders has invested 30% of capital expenditure over the past ten years on sustainability projects.

“When we built our current Nursery Traders Pty Ltd premises in 1992, we incorporated infrastructure for a water recycling system—and from those first steps we have walked the talk of our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Managing director Tim Bunker.

“We capture and reuse water from across the whole property, and use our on-site weather station to monitor conditions and automatically adjust our nursery irrigation cycle.”

Nursery Traders installed Nelson r2000 sprinklers more than eight years ago and adopted the industry BMP standard for irrigation system design of every container being irrigated by four sprinklers. This ensures a Mean Application rate (MAr) of less than 15 mm/hr and a scheduling Co-efficiency (sC) of close to 1.

With such a diverse supplier base for greenlife, the variations in growing media properties make irrigation scheduling a critical component of the overall greenlife management system. ensuring the irrigation application rate is sitting within the industry’s recommended band (MAr between 10 and 25 mm/hr) stops water being applied faster than the adsorption rate of the growing media.

Proving that industry doesn’t need to trade profit for green practice, Nursery Traders’ water recycling investment of time, energy and capital has yielded average savings of more than 40 ML of water a year since 2000. This translates to average savings in today’s terms of more than $100 000 a year, with the added benefit of control over supply.

tECHnoLogY: agriCuLturE

Long-term commitment to reduced water use pays dividends

As a result of a sustained investment over twenty years in best management practice in irrigation and recycling, Nursery Traders Pty ltd is now almost totally self sufficient in irrigation water.

using state-of-the art equipment and managing it optimally are keys to the significant achievements in reduced water use and irrigation application efficiency.

Th e business recorded its greatest savings in August and september 2008, when it used only 11 L of potable water to irrigate its entire nursery of more than 12 000 m².

Extending the model to power savings It is also important to recognise the parallel gains in electrical power self-suffi ciency Nursery Traders have accomplished in the last two years as part of its drive towards a reduced environmental footprint. In February 2010, the company installed 228 solar photovoltaic panels, each rated at 210 watt s. At commissioning, they formed Australia’s largest installation of kyocera solar panels and Aurora inverters—and the largest installation of its type in Queensland’s private sector.

Th ese panels generate 66 MW-hours a year, realising power savings equivalent to removing the carbon footprint of fi ve households each year. Th e system has an expected payback period of 8.5 years or sooner based on improving power demand effi ciencies across the business.

each day the nursery’s solar power system generates about 179.5 kW-hours, transforming radiated energy from the sun into electrical energy without generating pollution, providing a daily reduction in CO₂-e (carbon dioxide equivalents) of 191 kg (69,693 kg annually). since March 2010 Nursery Traders Pty Ltd have seen total CO₂-e savings of more than 141 000 kg and generated over 135 000 kW-hours of electricity.

Nursery Traders uses about 1000 kW-hours/week of electricity at an estimated average cost of 23¢/kW-hour. Th is is a total electricity bill of $12,190 a year, however, with a unit generating 1257 kW-hours/week during the day at 55¢/kW-hour buyback, for distributing into the power grid, Nursery Traders is clearly ahead in the energy stakes by more than $25 000 a year.

“We believe our system is an Australian benchmark installation of both kyocera solar panels and Aurora inverters,” says Tim.

“While we are pleased with our accomplishments to date we will continue to improve and set even higher standards for nursery industry green practice,” he added.

JohN mCdoNAld, NuRSERy INduSTRy dEVEloPmENT mANAGER, NGIQ,

SAlISbuRy QuEENSlANd

A recently installed solar system means that the nursery is well on the way to achieving power self suffi ciency as well as water self suffi ciency.

The MP Rotator features a unique,

multi-trajectory rotating stream

delivery system that achieves water

conserving results. The MP Rotator

is a revolutionary product—unlike

anything else in the irrigation field.

Call today for your Free Hunter

Products Catalogue (1) 800-811-370.

INDEPENDENT AUDITS SHOW that water usage

can be reduced by 30% or more when replacing

conventional sprays with MP Rotators.

COUNTLESS BENEFITS

Multiple streams

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION Built on Innovation

National Free Call: 1800 HUNTERToll Free Fax: 1800 651 680

Tel: 1300 856 368 Fax: 1300 856 [email protected]

Authorised Hunter Distributor:

Hunter Industries, Inc.8 The Parade West Kent Town, South AustraliaTel: (08) 8363-3599 Fax: (08) 8363-3687www.hunterindustries.com

6

tECHnoLogY: urBan

THe ACT GOverNMeNT is currently implementing an ambitious project to signifi cantly reduce potable water demand in many of its major large public sporting venues. Th e project, called Greening the Way, is replacing current potable supply, which has marginal pressure, with recycled water from the capital’s lakes and stormwater canals.

One of the benefi ts of the project is cost savings. In the ACT potable water costs more than $4.60/kL so the water bill paid by ACT sport and recreation services (srs) for irrigating recreation and sporting fi elds runs into millions of dollars each year. While these monetary savings are signifi cant, this project is more about saving water than money.

Th e ACT has recognised the signifi cance of this project and has invested signifi cant funds to research, design and undertake the fi rst stages of construction. Th ese funds have been provided through the territory’s economic development directorate and ACT shared services Procurement (ACT srs).

Cost-benefi t identifi es best approachA cost-benefi t analysis looked at four water delivery approaches:• pumptoeachsiteandtoallthesprinklersystemsdirectfromthecollection

pond• pumpataratethateachsystemonagivenpipelinewouldrequireandboost

the supply at each site • pumpatalowflowandlowpressurefromthecollectionpondtofeeda

satellite storage at each site, re-pumping as needed at the site during the course of combined irrigation cycles

• pumpatatrickleflowandlowpressurefromthecollectionpondtofeedlarger satellite storages at each site, re-pumping as needed at the site during the course of combined irrigation cycles taking in resupply over the course of a whole week. Aft er modelling and review, the last approach was selected as it was most

eff ective from a cost and energy input perspective, it gave greater fl exibility in system use and management and it enabled the storages to also be sized and fi tt ed with potable backup in the event that the primary recycled water delivery system was unable to supply. Th is option also achieved many more kilolitres of water in potential storage as each week many millions of litres of treated stormwater will be piped, diverted and held “ready for irrigation” in the satellite storage tanks.

Currently more than 30 sites across the southern and northern district playing fi elds in the ACT will have their potable water supplies replaced with recycled. With an irrigated area of more than 130 ha and a peak average summer demand of 33 mm overall water savings, both potable and recycled, will be huge.

each district playing fi eld (dPF) will receive from 400 kL to potentially up to 3000 kL of storage in multiples of 400 or 500 kL concrete semi-in-ground storage tanks. Th e size of each storage has been calculated by Jack Garside (ACT Procurement solutions) and Total Irrigation designers in collaboration. We have designed each storage around a peak summer demand of being able to supply three consecutive nights of irrigation. each night will see up to 11 mm average irrigation application which will be “resupplied” from one of several proposed collection ponds or lakes over the remaining days of the week, ready for the following week’s irrigation cycles.

Successful pilot system

A pilot system at dickson dPF, covering an area of 7 ha of sporting fi elds, is now operating successfully.

Th e lead consultant is Total Irrigation designers Pty Ltd based in sydney. Th e company designed the site at dickson, which involved four storage tanks, a pumping station and a totally new irrigation system to the playing fi elds. As well, a storage with a capacity of 1700 kL was installed. Th is can be fi lled by either the newly established wetland pond built next to the fi elds and which sources a constant base fl ow from the stormwater canal travelling past the fi elds, or from another, larger, stormwater detention lake planned at Flemington. Th e tanks are also backed up by potable water should the stormwater supplies fail to be able to supply.

act government and srs greening tHe way

These photos of dickson district Playing field show how a new irrigation system is “greening the way”. The photo on the left shows the fi eld before installation with patchy growth (photo -Google Earth 2008), while that on the right shows results four months after the new irrigation was installed. Note the new wetland below the fi eld and the four green storage tanks to the western side of the fi eld (photo - Nearmap November 2011).

A pilot system has proven the effectiveness of the new irrigation system and provided signifi cant savings in cost of water and water used. NEW Variable Rate

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With this advanced technology water is applied in varying depths based on topography and soil data, yield data, and other user defined conditions which means your field gets water precisely where it’s needed!

You may have everything you need to start using VRI, so contact your local Valley dealer today for more information!

Increase water application efficiency with VRI.

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Carole Park, QLD, [email protected]

www.valley-au.com

Low cost upgrades to Valley VRI Speed Control available for Valley machines installed from 2005*

At Total Irrigation designers, we believe that srs and the ACT Government are leading the way in future irrigation and best turf management irrigation practice with this approach. Although the initial capital investment cost might be high, the system will provide the tools for best irrigation management and practice for many years to come and with tremendous water and other cost savings over the ever-rising cost of potable water.

Following the success at dickson dPF, fi ve other dPFs at kambah and Waniassa with a total of 30 ha have been fi tt ed with these storage tanks and new pump systems ready for the recycled pipe line installation which will take water from Tuggeranong Lake, the main existing body of water connected to a number of local stormwater canals.

As with the dickson dPF, the kambah and Wanniassa fi elds will store irrigation water in a series of holding tanks and re-pump it using Grundfos Cre32 multistage pumps. Th ese pumps will deliver the fl ow and pressure that the existing and new irrigation systems require to provide precise and uniform irrigation application.

Many of the fi elds have existing systems retrofi tt ed over the years, some dating back to original Buckner or southern Cross sprinkler design days. While most of them will retain their existing irrigation systems, audits are also being used to identify the worst fi elds as a way of determining those that need to be replaced with new systems to maximise the water savings. Th e aims of srs are that all new system designs achieve a minimum du of 85% and that water be applied by a cycle-and-soak program through the existing central control system.

Note. Th e author would like to acknowledge the many people involved in the project at dickson, Wanniassa and kambah who have contributed to its success, including david Jeff ery, Brian Ashcroft , Phil davies, dave Mann, Jack Garside, ABA Construction Management, Waterland Pty Ltd, QMax Pumping, Panther Tanks and Garrad Buildings, and urs for the design and overseeing of the construction of the new adjoining wetland at dickson.

mATThEW WIlSoN, ToTAl IRRIGATIoN dESIGNERS, RIChmoNd NSW

A typical district playing fi eld pump station

NEW Variable Rate Irrigation

Variable Rate Irrigation– Never before has irrigation been so precise! With Valley Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) you can achieve higher levels of efficiency, lower production costs, reduced crop yield variability, and increased profitability.

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Irrigationhigher levels of efficiency, lower production costs, reduced crop yield variability, and increased profitability.

With this advanced technology water is applied in varying depths based on topography and soil data, yield data, and other user defined conditions which means your field gets water precisely where it’s

VRI Speed Control ol

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PumPs • motors • Drives • Controls

Founded in Indiana USA in 1944, since 1962 Franklin Electric has been manufacturing, distributing and servicing the Australian water industry.

The people of Franklin Electric have strived for over 60 years to design, produce and support the best products available for domestic irrigation, industrial and agricultural markets. That is why Franklin products are relied upon above and below ground around the world.

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PumPs • motors • Drives • Controls

Founded in Indiana USA in 1944, since 1962 Franklin Electric has been manufacturing, distributing and servicing the Australian water industry.

The people of Franklin Electric have strived for over 60 years to design, produce and support the best products available for domestic irrigation, industrial and agricultural markets. That is why Franklin products are relied upon above and below ground around the world.

We know Franklin Electric is better for your business, because Moving Water is Our Business.

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Golf courses.

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tHE Big iSSuE

ONe OF THe most important technological advances for managing irrigation company infrastructure has been automated channel sensing and control.

Automated channel control allows for control gates on a channel or on a system to be managed from a central offi ce using sophisticated soft ware and communications technology. Th e savings in water, labour, time, travel and management are considerable.

As automated channel sensing and control has become accepted by irrigation water supply companies, they are now looking into the future and assessing available technology. What is emerging is a big issue for these companies.

At present, technology that is available is usually proprietary, including the soft ware, communications systems and hardware. Given the long life of channel control infrastructure, this means that a commitment to buy a particular brand of automated channel control equipment potentially ties an irrigation water supply company to that supplier for any future upgrades or additions for years.

Biodiversity the keyAs ecologists will tell you, biodiversity is the key to the sustainability and resilience of a natural system.

some companies are thinking the same thing about water supply infrastructure, including automated channel sensing and control. Th ere is a view developing that “biodiversity” needs to be built into technology so there is capacity to mix and match technologies and systems in a way that will meet the diff erent needs of water supply companies.

Adding impetus to this view is the availability of government funding through Water for the Future’s sustainable rural Water use and Infrastructure program as well as the PIIOP funding and the fact that there are lessons to be learned from irrigation modernisation projects such as NvIrP.

One response being proposed is to develop an open operating platform for modernised irrigation infrastructure. According to AWMA Managing director Brett kelly, to ensure that funds are spent eff ectively we need to change from the current approach where infrastructure spending has been characterised by proprietary infrastructure and no inter-operability standards.

A key disadvantage of this approach has been that, in most cases, infrastructure managers have been left to batt le their way through managing new technology with litt le pooling of industry knowledge or documenting of lessons learned.

Th e consensus among members of IAL’s Irrigation Water supplier special Interest Group (IWs sIG) is that irrigation companies need to invest in irrigation infrastructure based on whole-of-life costs, not just initial capital costs.

And it is when you throw whole-of-life costs into the equation that the benefi ts of inter-operability based on an open operating platform become obvious.

Th e IWs sIG is now looking to work with its members and technology suppliers to develop and implement standards for open, integrated water management technologies. It believes that this will give impetus to the development of infrastructure components, including soft ware, which can be customised to particular situations and customers.

Th e result would allow managers of water supply companies around Australia to benefi t from whole-of-life operating cost reductions that would come from scale and standardisation.

Alliance formedGiving impetus to the eff orts of the IWs sIG is a call by a number suppliers, called the Irrigation Modernisation Alliance (IMA), for key industry suppliers and major water delivery companies to

work together to discuss and research options for channel modernisation.

Importantly, IMA says that its aim isn’t to provide equipment necessarily as an alliance, rather it wants to “ensure the irrigation industry has the best chance of identifying all options for channel modernisation, ensuring that informed decisions can be made to maximise the future sustainability and viability of Australia’s irrigation schemes”.

Th e objectives of IMA would be to: • reviewthestrengthsandlimitationsofcurrent

systems in use • gainanunderstandingoffuturerequirementsof

each irrigation system and develop a scope and specifi cation framework that can be adopted as a base platform for the industry nationally

• developanunderstandingofcurrenttechnologies and services, and how they may be able to be customised and combined to deliver solutions and options

• createoptionsandcompetition• evaluatetruewhole-of-lifecostmodelsfor

channel modernisation • establishoptionsformaintenance,serviceand

support.“We believe it is crucial that this involve all of the

industry, including technology suppliers,” said Brett .“We are all stakeholders in solving this big issue

and it is only by working together that we will be successful.”

A workshop shall be held at the 2012 IAL conference in Adelaide to further develop the IMA concept. All industry stake holders are invited to att end.

For information contact IAL CeO Ian Atkinson, email [email protected]

ANNE CuRREy, IRRIGATIoN AuSTRAlIA

BuiLding Biodiversity into irrigation infrastructure

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IRRIGATION& INDUSTRIALSUBMERSIBLE PUMPS & MOTORS

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PrESSuriSED irrigation

ConvertInG FurroW IrrIGAtIon to overhead systemssINCe THey Were bought four years ago by Craig doyle rural Holdings (CdrH), “undabri” and “south Giddi Giddi” have undergone a major transformation with most of their irrigation being converted from furrow to overhead systems. Th e two properties, west of Goondiwindi in Queensland, total 12,000 ha. “undabri” has gone from 533 ha irrigation to 1,000 ha, while “south Giddi Giddi” will have 950 ha of irrigation when installation of the new systems is complete.

Th e conversion was made possible as the result of CdrH’s successful application to the Healthy HeadWaters Water use effi ciency (HHWue) project to upgrade 90% of their irrigation from furrow to overhead machines on both properties. Th e upgrade is enabling more of their cultivated area to be planted each season as a result of water savings and because less labour is needed to complete irrigation cycles.

Why make the change?For CdrH, the main reason for changing from furrow irrigation to overhead machines was to save water and hence irrigate a larger proportion of their cultivated area each season, while also saving on labour.

Currently water use with furrow irrigation is 8.0 ML/ha. It is hoped that this will be reduced to 5.0 ML/ha with the new centre pivot and lateral move irrigators, a substantial saving of 3 ML/ha. Th e labour savings have been an added benefi t with this upgrade as now there is no need to change hundreds of siphons each season, rather the machines can be switched on and left to irrigate.

Works proposedProposed works on the two properties included upgrading the furrow irrigation system to develop and install eight lateral moves (four on each property) and two centre pivots (on “south Giddi Giddi”), including fi eld design, relocation of some existing infrastructure, earthworks and upgrading of existing pump stations (see Table 1).

Other things considered in the application and vital to its success included the installation of irrigation scheduling and monitoring equipment and appropriate training for farm employees.

Jeff Carter, Pastoral Manager for CdrH, explained that the fi rst steps taken were early design discussions with sMk Consulting in Goondiwindi to identify what type of development would be suitable for the properties. FsA

Jeff Carter on one of the new lateral move irrigators that have been installed as part of a

conversion from furrow to low pressure irrigation.


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Consulting from Toowoomba was then contracted to complete the actual HHWue application for both farms as it is a requirement of the project to have it completed and approved by a licensed engineer, certifi ed irrigation designer or certifi ed irrigation agronomist.

Th e application was submitt ed to derM in October 2010 and approved in december 2010. It was approximately eight weeks from the notifi cation of approval to when the entitlements were signed over to the Commonwealth environmental Water Holder (CeWH). Th e four lateral moves and two centre pivots on “undabri” were delivered and installed before October 2011; the machines on “south Giddi Giddi” will be installed in June 2012.

Crop management and water savingsIn the 2009-10 season, cott on was grown successfully under both furrow and lateral move and centre pivot systems. Th e soils and slopes and locations of all of the systems were similar. Th e average water applied per hectare to irrigate the cott on for furrow was 8 ML/ha and for lateral move and centre pivots, 5 ML/ha.

To establish the amount of water that was going to be saved with the new systems, Jeff Carter used deedI’s online CropWateruse tool (at www.cropwateruse.dpi.qld.gov.au). Th e tool suggested that the long term average irrigation water requirement for a cott on crop at Goondiwindi is 5.6 ML/ha, however, experienced staff at “south Giddi Giddi” and “undabri” are satisfi ed that cott on crops can be grown under the overhead spray irrigation machines using an average of 5.0 ML/ha. Based on these calculations, the average saving per hectare is 3.0 ML. Th is means the 610 ha development on “undabri” will

provide a saving of 1,830 ML and the 717 ha development on “south Giddi Giddi”, 2,151ML - a total saving of 3,981 ML a year. Of this total annual saving, 2,100 ML is transferred to the CeWH.

soil moisture monitoring tools and scheduling equipment are being installed on both farms to help with crop management (see Table 2).

economicsA benefi t/cost analysis using a discounted cashfl ow was conducted to determine the potential return from the Water use effi ciency (Wue) investment for each property. Both infrastructure projects were analysed with and without participation in HHWue Infrastructure program.

Th e total cost of the project and the Federal Government contribution were included in the initial discounted cashfl ow. It was assumed that the water saving available aft er transferring 2,100 ML to the CeWH would be used to grow extra area of the highest value crop (cott on) on the remaining furrow country. Th e second scenario did not include any assistance from the Australian Government, and it was assumed that all the water savings would be used to grow an increased area of crop each year. Table 3 shows the results of the analyses.

In both cases it is evident that assistance from the HHWue Infrastructure grant greatly improves the expected return on infrastructure development and decreases the time taken to pay back the capital expenditure.

Not all benefi ts and costs were included in the model, including changes in labour, maintenance, yield and energy. It would be interesting to conduct an analysis in the future when actual values are available for these variables. In addition, variability in seasonal and market conditions each year is not accounted for in this analysis.

Sensitivity tests. A number of sensitivity tests were conducted to determine the affects of varying the water savings achieved and gross margins. varying the gross margin value had an effect on the profitability but not as much as varying water savings achieved. If both the water saving available and gross margin were reduced, it is possible that there would be no positive return (see Table 4).

Th e return would be much less if the water saving was reduced, but the gross margin was higher. Conversely, if the water saving available remained the same and only the gross margin varied higher and lower, the investment would still remain profi table by varying amounts.

Current SetuP WIth ProPoSed ChAnGeS

undabri

730 ha – furrow irrigation 16 ha – furrow irrigation

375 ha – one lateral (183 ha) + one centre pivot (192 ha)

984 ha – overhead irrigation

South Giddi Giddi

950 ha - furrow irrigation 717 ha – overhead irrigation

Table 1: Proposed changes following upgrade of furrow to overhead irrigation

eQuIPment dAtA ColleCted dAtA uSed

automatic weather station

Climatic variables (temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction)

Calculating site specifi c evapotranspiration (Et) which is used in determining absolute soil moisture defi cit and irrigation scheduling. May also be used to make spray decisions

Calibrated gauge boards

Measure volume in each water storage

Planting and irrigation scheduling decisions

water level meters Measure the level of water in the channels to prevent overtopping

used to calculate channel losses

Capacitance probes Continuous soil moisture at various depths

irrigation scheduling and deep drainage measurements

Table 2. details of proposed monitoring equipment

Table 3. Summary of benefi t/cost analysis for “undabri” and “South Giddi Giddi” developments.

undABrI South GIddI GIddI

With hhWuE infrastructure grant

Without grant – all water savings retained

With hhWuE infrastructure grant

Without grant – all water savings retained

Net Present Value (NPV)

$1,317,497 $495,198 $1,786,563 $781,889

Cashfl ow period

20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

19% 6% 22% 7%

Payback period

6 years 17 years 6 years 16 years



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As explained previously, water use for the new systems was estimated to be 5 ML/ha, a saving of 3 ML/ha, although deedI’s CropWateruse tool suggested that on average 5.6 ML/ha would be required. Coupled with the fact that industry estimates a 30% water saving can be achieved when switching from furrow to overhead irrigation systems (8 ML/ha x 30% = 2.4 ML/ha), it is possible that the savings may not be as high as 3 ML/ha. despite this, 2,100 ML of allocation was transferred to the CeWH. Th is means that if the realised water saving is only 2 ML/ha, then there will be litt le water saving available once the allocations have been transferred to the CeWH.

Likewise, the water saving of 3 ML/ha is realised when cott on is grown. It is unlikely that cott on would be grown on the entire developed area each year for 20 years. Th us, it is possible that only half this saving is achieved each year if cott on was grown in a rotation system. Th e below scenarios test varying the amount of water saving available for the south Giddi aft er 1,100 ML had been transferred the CeWH:• 3ML/hasavedeachyearon100%ofthearea>1,051MLwatersavingsavailable• 3ML/hasavedeachyearon50%ofthearea>525.5MLwatersavingsavailable• 2ML/hasavedeachyearon100%ofthearea>334MLwatersavingsavailable• 2ML/hasavedeachyearon50%ofthearea>167MLwatersavingsavailable

While the usefulness of the results from the models are limited due to the number of variables excluded, this analysis does highlight how important it is to correctly estimate the amount of water saving the project will achieve. As demonstrated, if the water saving is less than that expected than there is litt le saving left over once the water allocation has been transferred to the CeWH and this signifi cantly decreases the return received from the development.

About hhWueTh e HHWue project is funded through the Federal Government Water for the Future Initiative and is based within the Queensland Murray darling Basin. Th e government provided up to $36 million to undertake two rounds of on-farm irrigation effi ciency improvements to help both irrigation communities and the environment. Th e project has helped irrigators invest in more effi cient irrigation systems and technologies that reduce water loss, drive long term economic benefi ts and return a share of water savings to the basin’s rivers, wetlands and fl oodplains. For further information visit www.derm.qld.gov.au

Th e Department of Environment and Resource Management are looking at holding further rounds of infr astructure funding in the future, for more information the HHWUE project team can be contacted on 07 4529 1321 or via email [email protected] or via the website www.derm.qld.gov.au

Current values water saving 2 ML/ha & low gross margin

water saving 2 ML/ha & high gross margin

water saving 3 ML/ha & low gross margin


water saving 1051 ML 334 ML 334 ML 1051 ML 1051 ML

gross margin ($/bale)

$165 $116 $213 $116 $213

nPV $1,786,563 -$356,502 $159,058 $967,042 $2,589,359

Cashfl ow period

20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years

irr 22% 0% 7% 15% 22%

Payback Period

6 years >21 years 16 years 8 years 4 years

Table 4: Sensitivity analysis for South Giddi Giddi benefi t/cost analysis

water Saving available 1051 ML 525.5 ML 334 ML 167 ML

nPV $1,786,563 $406,757 -$96,065 -$534,557

Cashfl ow period 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years

irr 22% 9% 4% -3%

Payback period 6 years 12 years >20 years >20 years

Table 5: Impact of varying water savings for South Giddi Giddi benefi t/cost analysis

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Current values water saving 2 ML/ha & low gross margin


water saving 3 ML/ha & low gross margin


water saving 1051 ML 334 ML 334 ML 1051 ML 1051 ML

gross margin ($/bale)

$165 $116 $213 $116 $213

nPV $1,786,563 -$356,502 $159,058 $967,042 $2,589,359

Cashflow period

20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years

irr 22% 0% 7% 15% 22%

Payback Period

6 years >21 years 16 years 8 years 4 years

Table 4: Sensitivity analysis for South Giddi Giddi benefit/cost analysis

Table 5: Impact of varying water savings for South Giddi Giddi benefit/cost analysis

Comdain Infrastructure is a leading infrastructure construction and maintenance services business specialising in the water, irrigation and gas sectors.

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PreSSurISed PumPInG SYStemS for agricultural irrigationPressurIsed IrrIGATION Is one sure way to meet the demands of modern agricultural irrigation, and with a constant pressure irrigation system, energy savings can be signifi cant.

energy consumption is an issue for irrigators today, and yet many are unaware of the potential savings from using energy more eff ectively. Constant pressure irrigation optimises irrigation uniformity, reduces water consumption, safeguards the water resource and helps maintain productivity.

maintaining pressure from the water sourceTraditionally, water has been distributed from the water source – either groundwater or surface water from a channel, stream or storage – at low or constant pressure from pumps operating at single speed.

Th e typical approach has been to install a pump that can constantly deliver more than enough water. However, this ends up wasting money and energy. Th e pump must do more than simply deliver water to the pipes to be eff ective. Adding variable speed drives improves irrigation effi ciency when you pump directly into an irrigation system.

surface water intake and distribution can be improved by using multi-pump pressure boosting systems, and across the board, monitoring and control systems further ensure reliable pressure and fl ow of water in applications where even greater pressure is needed.

All these elements must be fully integrated into the design to provide the benefi ts that a modern irrigation pumping system can off er. Maintaining correct pressure and fl ow in the pipes and at the nozzle means more water per kWh and savings on energy, which is one of the highest cost items in farming.

Pressure management is not a new concern, rather it has long been an issue and, over the years, pressure reduction valves commonly have been used to reduce pressure in the system. However, valves are costly to install, must be serviced and replaced oft en, and do not off er savings on energy. Th is is because by reducing pressure from the pump they take out again the energy that was used to increase pressure in the fi rst place.

For sprinkler irrigation, using valves is very ineff ective, and a variable speed pump with a pressure sensor on the pivot, for example, will automatically adjust the pump performance to match the requirements for the pivot.

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PETER buSCh, buSINESS dEVEloPmENT mANAGER IRRIGATIoN, GRuNdfoS

tHE SingLE MoSt important task for an irrigation pump is to maintain pressure and fl ow. Correct pressure at the nozzle means higher irrigation uniformity and savings.

A variable speed pump on the pivot applies water to the fi eld

evenly and effi ciently.

variable speed pumps on centre pivotsCentre pivots are known for their potential to apply water effi ciently. While the initial cost of buying and installing a centre is high, that is usually balanced by its low cost in labour. keeping pressure constant is clearly important, and in a constant pressure system the farmer simply turns on the system and the entire block is irrigated, without any need for zone valves.

using a variable speed pump ensures constant pressure and fl ow, even if the water source fl uctuates. If the pivot is equipped with an end gun and maybe even a corner section, the pressure in the pivot’s main line will drop when the end gun turns on, and this will aff ect irrigation uniformity.

Th e solution is to replace the pivot’s main pump with a variable speed pump, which will immediately react to a pressure drop when an end gun or corner section cuts in. In such a confi guration it is possible to maintain the same pressure on all the sprinklers, and thereby deliver a high uniformity. Th ese savings can be substantial – tests have shown savings of a minimum of 20% when using a variable speed pump to maintain constant pressure.

An understanding of component integration is essential for a constant pressure irrigation system to deliver the benefi ts of energy effi ciency and savings on cost and labour. Following water from the source to the crop – from the water intake, through water treatment and distribution to the irrigation application, all carefully monitored and regulated along the way – results in a bett er harvest, increased profi tability and bett er water management, ensuring sustainable agriculture in the future.

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Mining

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Documents

Irrigation Journal Winter 2012 - sample