Re-plumbing irrigation in the Murray Darling Basin; an analysis
of five years of Australian Government investment Richard
McLoughlin
Slide 2
The Government has committed to implementing the Murray Darling
Basin Plan on time and in full. This includes the commitment to
bridge the gap by recovering 2750 GL LTAAY of water for the
environment. Murray Darling Basin Plan
Slide 3
Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program The
Governments vehicle for water recovery. Over $10 billion Water
savings are recovered for the environment in order to bridge the
gap to the sustainable diversion limits under the Murray Darling
Basin Plan through three main components: Three components:
1.Irrigation infrastructure projects; 2.Water purchase and 3.Supply
measures
Slide 4
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SRWUIP Infrastructure The majority of rural water
infrastructure funds have been committed to projects in the Murray-
Darling Basin for improving the operation of off- farm delivery
systems and helping irrigators improve on-farm water use
efficiency. Water savings are shared between the Australian
Government for environmental use and irrigators for consumptive
use, supporting increased productivity and economic activity in
regional communities.
Slide 7
SRWUIP Infrastructure State Priority Projects (up to $3.2b)
State Priority Projects (up to $3.2b) Other commitments include:
Other commitments include: State led projects Commonwealth led
projects Commonwealth led projects Victoria $1,103m South Australia
$420m Queensland $160m New South Wales $708m Australian Capital
Territory $85m NSW Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators
Program South Australia Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program
Strengthening Basin Communities On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency $450m
Irrigation in Tasmania
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Slide 9
Designing rural water infrastructure programs Consultation with
industry has helped ground programs in local/industry experience
Programs like NSW Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators
Program (PIIOP) see locally-driven design for major system
refurbishment Fit for purpose and meeting local needs Design built
on good planning Sound technical underpinning Properly costed
Competent project management Positive cost benefit
Slide 10
Types of Infrastructure Projects Planning, investigations and
project design Works on irrigation systems off farm - modernisation
and rationalisation Works on farm to improve water use efficiency
Works to improve ecological health and restore natural flows Water
saving municipal projects e.g. storm water harvesting
Slide 11
Who are delivering the projects? State government departments
e.g. water, primary industry, environment Irrigation infrastructure
operators Irrigation industry associations Industry commodity
bodies e.g. rice-growers, tomato growers Individual irrigators
Catchment management (resource management) authorities Local
government Water utilities CSIRO (sustainable yields studies)
Slide 12
Upgrading irrigation systems off farm Works to improve
efficiency and timeliness of irrigation water delivery, e.g.
Fixing/replacing leaky old systems Lining channels or replacing
channels with pipes Automation to improve water delivery Metering
upgrades to meet modern efficiency standards Reconfiguring and
rationalising channel systems and farm off-takes Examples: Vic
Goulburn-Murray Connections Program NSW Private Irrigation
Infrastructure Operators Program
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Upgrading Irrigation Systems On farm Works on farm to deliver
and use water more efficiently and increasing productivity, e.g.
Improving on farm storage and tail water recirculation system
Installing pipes and risers Installing drip irrigation systems and
centre pivot irrigation as an alternative to the traditional flood
irrigation Examples: On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program in the
Southern Basin Victorian Farm Modernisation Program QLD Water Use
Efficiency Program NSW Pilot - Farm Modernisation in Gwydir &
Border Rivers
Slide 14
Benefits from irrigation infrastructure investment
Community/industry support for irrigation infrastructure investment
programs is generally strong creates jobs during roll-out underpins
long-term viability and economic sustainability of irrigation
industry and regional communities. Completed projects have
demonstrated improved productivity benefits: increased crop
rotation ability reduced labour costs increased crop water use
efficiencies improved soil management reduced maintenance reduced
weed control requirements farmers share of water savings available
for production
Slide 15
Monitoring and Evaluation NSW PIIOP example Regular contact
with grantees to discuss progress and issues Milestone payments
with evidence of completion of works and audited financial reports
Financial reviews to ensure contract compliance Workplace Health
and Safety reviews to ensure implementation of legislated
requirements Visits by department staff to view works Assisting
grantees to provide detailed information on the programs key
performance indicators
Slide 16
Analysis of SRWUIP investment in Centre Pivots StatePivots
funded Average Area Irrigated (Ha) Total Area Irrigated (Ha)
Capital Cost (GST excl) Cost/Ha Irrigated Qld
HHW969618$1,574,388$2,546 NSW PIIOP955499$1,858,640$3,722 Vic Farm
Mod 1351667$2,650,155$3,973 OFIEP Rd 135501,760$5,555,172$3,157
OFIEP Rd 264452,892$9,791,606$3,386
Total130506,437$21,429,911$3,329 Initial analysis of 130 centre
pivot irrigators funded under SRWUIP. In general, costs decrease
with increased area under irrigation.
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Qld HHW Vic Farm Mod
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Liebich Estates PIIPSA Wine grape and citrus in the SA
Riverland Included upgrades to existing infrastructure, new pumps,
automation and soil monitoring On-farm water use reduced from
10ML/Ha to 6ML/Ha.
Slide 19
Trangie-Nevertire Irrigation Scheme Irrigation cooperative in
NSW Macquarie River catchment Targeted whole of system approach to
channel distribution system and on- farm water loss. Returned water
savings to the Commonwealth of nearly 30GL. Reduced boom or bust
extremes of water supply
Slide 20
Lachlan Catchment Management Authority Regional delivery
partner coordinating irrigators around Parkes NSW Implemented a
water storage and reuse scheme utilising lateral move irrigators
Reduced water use by 3.7ML/Ha Enables consistent production level
and increased financial sustainability
Slide 21
Where to next? Release of the Water Recovery Strategy
Government priority for future recovery of water through
infrastructure investment. Work with Basin States to develop
proposed projects, such as environmental works and measures, that
can deliver Basin Plan environmental outcomes with less water, thus
leaving more water available for consumptive use.