Client: Murray Irrigation / Job Number: 161228 / Proof Number: 6

COVEROption B

CREATING HI-TECH OPPORTUNITIES

Murray IrrigationAutomated Irrigation SystemAutomated Irrigation SystemAutomated Irrigation SystemMurray Irrigation’s Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program (PIIOP) spans the company’s entire footprint and involves the upgrade of more than 3,400 structures comprising 2,100 outlets and 1,300 regulators. The project received $169.2 million from the Australian Government as part of its funding commitment to the PIIOP Round 2 initiative. These once-in-a-generation modernisation works were started in 2013 and will be commissioned by Murray Irrigation in the coming weeks. This 10-page feature celebrates the practical completion of the PIIOP Round 2 project and highlights the benefi ts to fl ow from such an achievement.

14 — Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, November 17, 2017

PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

OUTLETPROGRAM

What is an outlet?Outlets deliver and meter water from Murray

Irrigation’s system onto local properties. Theyconnect farmers to the company’s irrigation

system. More than 2,100 outlets will have beenupgraded upon completion of PIIOP Round 2.

While engineers and contractorswill mark the installation of PIIOPRound 2’s 2,000th outlet with low-key paperwork in December, itwill actually set a final countdownto the completion of this phase ofMurray Irrigation’s $206.3 millionmodernisation journey.

The outlet installation programhas seen traditional manually-operated Dethridge wheelsupgraded to state-of-the-artRubicon Water technology.

According to Murray IrrigationCEO Michael Renehan, the newoutlets improve on-farm efficiency.

“We’ve already received feed-back from customers that this newtechnology increases on-farm pro-ductivity and profitability,” hesaid.

“PIIOP Round 2 has completelyoverhauled the way local farmerscan access water.

“With modernisation, our cus-tomers are able to access a net-work that provides a faster andmore efficient water delivery ser-vice.

“This will really set up our nextgeneration of farmers.”

With the regulator program nowcomplete, Murray Irrigation’shighest priority has shifted tocommissioning the outlet instal-lation program.

The Murray Irrigation WaterDelivery team is working closelywith farmers as their outlets arebeing brought on-line.

“This is one of the largest singleprivate investments in irrigatedagriculture anywhere in Australiain the last 60 years, and PIIOP willbe the turnkey solution for thisregion for the next 50,” MrRenehan said.

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ENGINEERINGCONFIDENCE

PIIOP Round 2 – Automated IrrigationEmploymentopportunities

PIIOP Round 2’s $206.3 mil-lion modernisation works havecreated more than 400 shortterm and rolling contract em-ployment opportunities over thelast four years.

These positions ranged fromengineers and project manage-ment staff to civil contractors,truck drivers andcommissioning technicians.

Murray Irrigation CEO Mi-chael Renehan said the projectcreated jobs across the entireregion.

“PIIOP Round 2 officiallystarted in 2013,” Mr Renehansaid.

“Since that time, we’ve ap-pointed specialist project man-agement and engineering staffand awarded contract tenders toensure the project is deliveredon time and under budget.

“When you count suppliersand contractors, hundreds ofpeople have contributed to theproject over the last four years,”he said.

And as the PIIOP Round 2project nears completion, thosenumbers will continue to de-crease.

“The employment force wasfunded largely from the Austra-lian Government’s contributionof $169.2 million,” Mr Renehansaid.

“Some specialist staff withexpertise in the new technologywill move into Murray Irriga-tion, and we’ll have sufficient,experienced boots on theground to ensure a smooth tran-sition from a manual toautomated network.”

The PIIOP story

Category PIIOP Round 2 Comments Funding Funding Deed signed Sept 2012 General Security WE’s transferred 34,810ML 3.2 per cent of the approximately 1,090,386ML* General

Security WE’s held on Murray Irrigation’s licence *as at 2012

Australian Government funding $169.2M Interest on funding $3.4M Interest on government funding held in Murray Irrigation

accounts

Murray Irrigation funds $33.7M Funding Total $206.3M

Budget approved to date $206.3M Budget approved by the Board of Directors in 2014 Sub-System Retirements & Transfer of General Security Water Entitlements Australian Government funds $57.6M Includes acquisition of General Security Water

Entitlements

Murray Irrigation funds $4.3M Murray Irrigation’s contribution for delivery entitlements General Security WE’s transferred 34,810ML Landholdings retired from area of operations

30

Channel decommissioned 42km Infrastructure Upgrade Projects & Transfer from conveyance licence Upgrade regulator fleet $39.0M $27M new Rubicon gates / $12M CRC upgrades New outlet meters $62.7M 2,100 new outlets Project management, design and contingency

$23.4M

Upgrade SCADA & telemetry network

$4.7M 19 radio towers communications upgrades

Reconfigurations $10.5M Blighty channel system upgrade and PIIOP Round 2 planning

$4.1M

Transferred from conveyance licence

11,990ML 4.0 percent of the 300,000ML* on Murray Irrigation’s licence *as at 2012

Murray Irrigation’sPIIOP Round 2 project hasbeen without doubt, one ofthe greatest investmentsmade in the developmentand implementation of agri-cultural technology to datein this region.

Participation in the pro-gram will provide the com-pany’s customers with anirrigation supply networkthat will support a range ofon-farm technologies beingintroduced by early adopterfarmers and which will be-come mainstream.

Underpinned by a mass-ive $169.2 million in Austra-lian Government funding,and backed up with $33.7million from Murray Irriga-tion, the $206.3 million pro-ject has taken since 2013 tobe completed.

Through sub-systemretirements andreconfigurations, over180km of channels weredecommissioned, manyfarmers took advantage ofthe opportunity to sell waterto the government — a bus-iness decision farmersmade.

In exchange for this fund-ing, the company trans-ferred about four percent ofits conveyance licence to thegovernment for use in theenvironment, as well asaround three per cent gener-al security entitlements.

More than 400 contractorsand part time workers bene-

fited from the scope ofworks and scores of oppor-tunities opened up for busi-nesses to expand, andcareers to be either kick-started or established. Theconstruction has seen theintroduction of drones, com-puter modelling, and tel-emetry never before seen inthis region. What hashappened here will likelyeclipse any infrastructureinvestment well into the fu-ture.

Handing over the projectfrom Executive GeneralManager Major EngineeringProjects, Warren Jose, toMurray Irrigation’s Execu-tive General Manager WaterDelivery, Scott Barlow, toimplement the new infra-structure is akin to takingover the controls of a packedA380 airliner on final ap-proach to land at an unfam-iliar airport, according toMurray Irrigation CEO, Mi-chael Renehan.

‘‘The last three months inparticular has seen an un-wavering, undistracted fo-cus on delivering this pro-ject,’’ he said.

‘‘In the coming months it’sinevitable that there will beminor problems that arisefrom introducing a new sys-tem. It’s rare if not imposs-ible for a project of thismagnitude to be com-missioned without incidentbut everyone is determinedto keep such occurrences toa minimum.’’

Pastoral Times, Friday, November 17, 2017 — 15

16 — Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, November 17, 2017

PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

REGULATOR PROGRAMWhat is a regulator?

A regulator is a structure that controls water within MurrayIrrigation’s channel system. Regulators control channel flows

and maintain water levels in channel pools to ensure water canbe supplied at the correct level. More than 1,300 regulators

were upgraded as part of PIIOP Round 2.The completion of Murray Irrigation’s regulator upgrade

program in September was a significant step towardsautomation for the company.

The works were part of the PIIOP Round 2 project andinvolved the upgrade of manually-operated irrigationinfrastructure to remote control technology.

More than 1,300 regulators were upgraded as part of theprogram, which began in 2013. This includes 584 fully-

automated Rubicon regulators and 734 existing AWMAregulators.

Murray Irrigation Executive General Manager MajorEngineering Projects, Warren Jose, said the upgradescontrol channel flows and maintain water levels in channelpools to ensure water can be supplied to customers at thecorrect level.

“The program involved upgrading manually-operatedregulating gates with automated gates,” Mr Jose said.

“The completion of the regulator program is a hugemilestone for the region and has given the company agreater level of control across the system.”

The regulator works complement the company’s outletprogram, which is now transitioning to automation.

137 Davidson Street M. 0427 812502Deniliquin NSW 2710 pkhines@bigpond.net.au

4D Engineering Technology would like to congratulate Murray Irrigation and the PIIOP 2 team on the successful completion of the PIIOP 2 irrigation automation project.Local company 4D Engineering Technology is proud to be associated with Murray Irrigation in the design and supply of world leading automated irrigation technology.

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Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, November 17, 2017 — 17

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Congratulations on the completion of your PIIOP 2 project.

PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

SUSSAN LEY MPFederal Member for Farrer

The Coalition Government’s Private

Irrigation Infrastructure Operators

Program is investing in modern,

efficient on-farm water infrastructure

to help secure a healthy and balanced

Murray Darling Basin.

517 Kiewa Street, Albury NSW 2640 1300 303 203

farrer@aph.gov.au sussanley.com sussanleymp

Authorised by Sussan Ley MP, 517 Kiewa Street, Albury NSW 2640.

Murray Irrigation $284m

Murrumbidgee Irrigation $347m

Colleambally Irrigation $52m

Goodnight Irrigation $1m

Hay Private Irrigation $10m

ADVERTISEMENT

On-farm flow ratesmassively increase

Blighty farmer Rob Browne (pictured)has been impressed with the flow ratesgained since his new outlet was installedearlier this year as part of the PIIOP Round2 project.

The cropping farmer says the significantincrease in flow has provided flexibility inthe way he irrigates.

“The old Dethridge wheel used to putthrough about seven megalitres per day butsince a new SlipMeter™ has been installedmy flow rates have drastically increased to

around 24 megalitres per day out of thechannel,” he said.

Mr Browne mainly attributes the flowincrease to the new outlet but also said hecompleted some minor on-farm works in-cluding altering the main supply channel.

“We lowered the main channel about10cm and flattened out the two top rice bays.

‘‘I have 64 hectares of rice on this holdingand was able to sow rice within eight days.This is a great improvement from the oldwheel which usually took about 12 days,filling two blocks individually,” he said.

The ability provided by increased flows tosow rice within a 10 day window also helpswith chemical management.

“Chemical needs to be on rice as soon aspossible so the faster the crop is sown, andthe bays are full the better.

“We have had the block for two years andsince the works were completed here wehave been able to better manage our water,”Mr Browne said.

“Our chemical application is more man-ageable, we have reduced water use withfaster flows over crops in border check andreduced excess soil saturations,” he said.

A day inthe life

of PIIOPAs PIIOP Round 2 nears completion,

it’s worth reflecting on what happenswhen more than 2,100 outlets and 1,300regulators are upgraded.

A typical outlet upgrade takes aconstruction crew of two between one tofour days depending on the complexityof the task.

Demolishing the existing structurecould take between a half and a full daybut when using an existing concretestructure — a retro fitted FlumeGate™will generally take only a day to com-plete.

However, building a new concretehousing could take up to two full daysand the installation of gates whichincludes handrails, grating and otherspecial features as required takes, onaverage, a day.

A typical regulator upgrade on theother hand is — as the name suggests —a much bigger job, taking between fiveand six days for a retrofit and up to eightdays for a completely new structure.

Utilising the skills of a crew ofanywhere from two to as many as eight,existing structures generally take be-tween one and two days to demolish andup to six days to complete if using theexisting concrete structure.

Depending on the foundation works,building new concrete housings can takeup to six days and even longer if theconcrete curing rate becomes a factor.

Installing new gates — in sizes from0.6 metres to 2.2m (high) takes betweenone and two days depending on numberof gates, including handrails, grating andother site features.

18 — Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, November 17, 2017

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Congratulations to Murray Irrigation on achieving the successful completion of PIIOP2.

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PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

Rubicon FlumeGatePIIOP Round 2 has created foundation

irrigation infrastructure built to accommo-date a rapidly expanding suite of on-farmtechnology that’s modernising the irriga-tion industry.

Key to the project has been the state-of-artinfrastructure that has been installedthroughout the company’s 724,000-hectarefootprint — the most common of which isthe Rubicon FlumeGate™.

The FlumeGate is a combined flow

measurement and control gate thatregulates flow in channels and at farmoutlets. Flow measurement, actuation, solarpower and radio telecommunications areintegrated into the devices.

The overall system captures andschedules customer water orders andenables Murray Irrigation staff to remotelyoperate the network (see below).

But how does it actually work?

The FlumeGate automatically controls theflow of water by varying the gate positionbased on operational instructions it receivesfrom the Murray Irrigation control room,which for farm meters is the approved waterorder flow rate. Flow is calculated from thegate’s measurements of upstream waterlevel, downstream water level and gateposition.

For full details, visit:www.rubiconwater.com/catalogue/flumegate.

HaveYouTubed?Did you know Murray Irrigation has a

YouTube channel?Over the past 12 months Murray

Irrigation has released a number ofvideos focusing on its customers and theprojects being rolled out across thenetwork.

Drone technology has capturedunique footage of the footprint andshowcased how the system works. Thevideos have also focused on majorprojects and the enormous impact agri-culture has on the wider community.

The most recent video features timelapse footage from PIIOP Round 3upgrades on the Berrigan Canal system.This video portrays the vast scale ofworks being carried out along MurrayIrrigation’s main canals. To watch any ofthe videos, go to YouTube and searchMurray Irrigation.

Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, November 17, 2017 — 19

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PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

Project a boost forregional businesses

■ Director of DIC Peter Danckert (centre) with labourer, Nick Bath (left) and excavator operator, Luke Berry.

More than 200 contractors andsuppliers from across the region havehelped roll out Murray Irrigation’sonce in a generation $206.3 millionPIIOP Round 2 project.

Director of Deniliquin IrrigationContracting, Peter Danckert, has beenworking on the project for the last fouryears and he says the project has beengreat for his company.

“Work has been very consistent andhas allowed me to employ extra peo-ple,” he said.

“We have been consistently runningseven to eight crews since signing on tothe project and in that time, we haveinstalled roughly 2,000 outlets,regulators and syphons.”

Mr Danckert said one of the bestthings to come from the project washaving consistent work at thebackdoor.

“We have worked all over Australiain the past, but having the opportunityto work locally and live at home hasbeen great.”

Deniliquin Irrigation Contracting isone of many contractors who havebenefited from the five-year projectwhich began in May 2013 and whichhas filtered millions back into theregion.

Murray Irrigation’s Executive Gener-al Manager Major Engineering Pro-jects, Warren Jose, said the company

was focused on putting money backinto the region.

“The project has allowed a number oflocal businesses to lock down consist-ent work, but it has also drawn peopleto the area, where they continue tospend money locally on livingexpenses, at the shops and with localrestaurants,” he said.

“Over the life of the project, MurrayIrrigation has primarily focused onengaging regionally based contractorswhich has injected millions back intothe regional economy. As PIIOP Round2 nears completion, PIIOP Round 3 willramp up its focus on upgrading datedlarge-scale infrastructure within ourmain canals,” Mr Jose said.

Helping drivecontractor growth

It’s not just local land-holders who have benefit-ed from PIIOP Round 2.

Local business has alsobeen a winner.

For Miller Pipe & Civil,a local contractor, PIIOPRound 2 work has assistedin the further growth of itscore business structureand allowed it to completeits long term goal toachieve Federal Accredi-tation in Safety (OFSC).

“Several years ago, weset a benchmark to devel-op our company to be oneof the leaders in the regionin safety and quality,”managing director DeanMiller explains.

“We now believe wehave achieved this byworking in conjunctionwith such projects asPIIOP Round 2 and 3.

“The opportunity hasalso allowed us to justcomplete the busiest win-ter period of works in ourcompany’s history, allwith PIIOP Round 2 andMurray Irrigation.

“The winter period sawus grow from 25employees to 36 plus sub-contractors, having fivecrews working on thePIIOP Round 2 projectand earthwork crews forPIIOP Round 3.

“We also constructed 15

culvert and syphonreplacements for MurrayIrrigation works, whereour Federal Accreditationcame to fruition, allowingus to self-manage safety.

“We’d like to congratu-late the entire PIIOP teamand Murray Irrigation forcompleting this most im-portant project for ourregion.”

Miller Pipe & Civil hasbeen involved in the civilconstruction and pipelineindustry for 29 years. Inthat time, it has completeda range of works all overAustralia — from naturalgas transmission pipelinesand facilities installationin Tasmania to Moombagas fields in remote SouthAustralia, natural gas sup-ply mains and entire townreticulation.

The team also offerssubdivision constructionfrom start to finish, allfacets of on-farm works,including HDPE pipelines,pipe and riser systems,channel construction andrecycle systems.

“We look forward tofurther developing our re-lationship with MurrayIrrigation, and once againa big pat on the back goesto the entire PIIOP team,”Mr Miller said.

MILCast partneringwith modernisation

MILCast has been a signi-ficant supplier of PIIOPRound 2 since the beginningof construction in 2013.

As a fully-owned andoperated business unit ofMurray Irrigation, MILCastspecialises in the manufac-ture of precast concreteproducts on an industrial aswell as individual farm scale.

Throughout construction,MILCast has suppliedhundreds of precast concreteproducts to the project andcreated numerous made-to-order products.

This year alone MILCasthas contributed 1,200 tonneof concrete and approxim-ately 10,000 man hours toPIIOP Round 2.

Murray Irrigation’s Exec-utive General ManagerMajor Engineering ProjectsWarren Jose was impressedwith the service provided byMILCast.

“Both the quality of theproducts and the service pro-vided by the MILCast teamwas excellent, they went outof their way to make customproducts to meet the diverseneeds of our project,” hesaid.

“I was also impressed withtheir commitment to meetingour construction schedule.”

MILCast has alsopartnered with the PIIOPRound 3 project and sup-plied custom made productswhich have been used onmajor structures along theBerrigan Canal.

MILCast’s BusinessManager Josh Bode said thecompany’s precast productsare being used throughoutAustralia.

“We have partnered withseveral Australian basedirrigation companies whoare in the midst of complet-ing modernisation projects,”he said.

“If they’re good enoughfor irrigation companies,they’re certainly goodenough for individual farmenterprises.”

Mr Bode said the MILCast

team is also looking forwardto introducing a number ofnew products to their cata-logue.

“We’re currently under-taking a full design review ofour agricultural projects andwe will be releasing somenew designs over the comingmonths,” he said.

View the full range ofMILCast products atwww.milcast.com.au .

20 — Deniliquin’s 175th Anniversary – Souvenir Publication, Friday, November 17, 2017

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PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

More modernisationfor region’s futureMurray Irrigation

acknowledges thefunding support of theAustralian Government

for its modernisationprogram under PIIOP,with total funding of

over $284 millioncommitted.

■ ABOVE: Billabong Channel Offtake upgrade completed August 2017.

While PIIOP Round 2 work upgrading customer outletsand dated infrastructure in smaller channels was nearingits final phase, work on PIIOP Round 3 kicked off in Maythis year.

PIIOP Round 3 is focused on extending the life of mainstructures by at least 25 years and the works will provide agreater level of control within the main canals.

Murray Irrigation’s Executive General Manager Major

Engineering Projects Warren Jose said six structures weresuccessfully upgraded along the Berrigan Canal this year,with more upgrades planned for 2018.

“Major upgrades along the Mulwala Canal next yearinclude 12 regulators along the main artery as well as threesites in the Wakool system,” Mr Jose said.

Significant planning has gone into the roll out of PIIOPRound 3 to ensure there is limited disturbance to customers.

“Over 18 months of planning has gone into the projectwhich will comprise the installation of more than 150gates,” he said.

“This project is a huge step in Murray Irrigation’smodernisation journey. It will complement the PIIOPRound 2 program and ultimately unlock the full potential ofthe region.”

The PIIOP Round 3 upgrades are expected to be rolled outduring winter 2018 and 2019.

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Proud technology supplier to Murray Irrigation’s PIIOP project

PIIOP Round 2 – Automated Irrigation

Works become business as usual

Michael Renehan

Chief Executive Officer

Appointed in June 2015, MichaelRenehan brings more than 15 years’

experience in CEO and generalmanagement roles with a background

in engineering and manufacturing.He holds a Master of BusinessAdministration from Deakin

University, a Masters in ChemicalEngineering from RMIT and he is a

member of the Australian Institute ofCompany Directors.

Warren Jose

Executive General ManagerMajor Engineering Projects

Warren started with Murray Irrigationin April 2015. He brings diverse

industry experience in the delivery ofinfrastructure projects and experience

working within an organisation onproject delivery.

Warren has tertiary and post graduatequalifications in engineering. Mostrecently, he held the role of GeneralManager Infrastructure Delivery atCentral Highlands Water (CHW) in

Ballarat.

Scott Barlow

Executive General ManagerWater Delivery

Scott commenced at Murray Irrigationin April 1996. He holds significant and

diverse experience within the bulkirrigation industry. With a background

in both irrigated and mixed drylandfarming, and experience in the forestry

and agricultural sectors prior tocommencing with Murray Irrigation, he

has played a large role in the waterefficiency and operational developmentof the Murray Irrigation gravity supply

network. Scott has an AssociateDiploma in Applied Science.

As Murray Irrigation rolls out itswhole-of-system modernisation

program, its workforce andstructure is also transitioning to

take advantage of the newtechnology and improve its

services. The teams involved inthe PIIOP Round 2 project

handover are:

Major ProjectsThe Major Projects team includes project

management, engineering, design,construction, communication, customerconsultation, commissioning and safety.They are responsible for managing the

capital expenditure program acrossMurray Irrigation, including all aspects of

the investment through the PrivateIrrigation Infrastructure Operators

Program.

Water DeliveryThe Water Delivery team comprises four

departments: Operations, BusinessPlanning, Customer Support and AccountManagement collectively responsible for

water delivery to landholdings andsupplying the townships of Berrigan,

Finley, Wakool and Bunnaloo. The teamis also responsible for all customer facing

activities including reception, accountmanagement, customer consultation, andthe on-farm irrigation efficiency projects,

as well as order scheduling, accountadministration and temporary watertransfer and trade. The operational

responsibilities include the operation ofcompany drainage infrastructure, and the

reactive and preventative maintenanceprograms for outlets and regulators.

Pastoral Times, Friday, November 17, 2017 — 21

...Where it all beganThe early 1900s saw southern NSW in the grip of drought. Locals were calling for the development of irrigation throughout the region and in April 1933 Premier Bertram Stevens turned the first sod in the construction of the Mulwala Canal. This symbolic act set off the construction of what would become – at 154 km in length - the largest irrigation channel in the Southern Hemisphere. The development of the irrigation network continued until the last channels were completed in 1964. This allowed water to be supplied to property boundaries and landholders were responsible for the development of their farm channels and layout. Early irrigation was often basic and labour intensive, but over time things slowly changed and now landholders have access to a fully remote-controlled billion dollar irrigation network that will provide a seamless transition to the next generation of on-farm digital technology.

...Where it all beganThe early 1900s saw southern NSW in the grip of drought. Locals were calling for the development of irrigation throughout the region and in April 1933 Premier Bertram Stevens turned the first sod in the construction of the Mulwala Canal. This symbolic act set off the construction of what would become – at 154 km in length - the largest irrigation channel in the Southern Hemisphere. The development of the irrigation network continued until the last channels were completed in 1964. This allowed water to be supplied to property boundaries and landholders were responsible for the development of their farm channels and layout. Early irrigation was often basic and labour intensive, but over time things slowly changed and now landholders have access to a fully remote-controlled billion dollar irrigation network that will provide a seamless transition to the next generation of on-farm digital technology.