The JOurnal fOr irrigaTiOn PrOfessiOnals
Living
with mining
in the nSw north west
recycLed wAter strategic framework
The Official JOurnal Of irrigaTiOn ausTralia limiTed
WINTER 2012 AUTUMN 2012••Volume VolUMe28 28No No02 01
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
w w w. ir r g. au ww i r r i gati g at i o n. o or
ISSN 0818–9447 PP 245227/00029
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ContEntS fEATuRES IrrIGAtIon AuStrAlIA 2012 ConFerenCe And trAde ShoW CAtAloGue
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PrESSuriSED irrigation FEaturE Converting furrow irrigation to overhead systems 16 Pressurised pumping systems for agricultural irrigation 18 gaSCoYnE irrigation PiPELinE ProJECt up and running
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BuSinESS FEaturE work health and safety – compliance in a new era
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irrigEar irrigear looks to the year ahead
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auStraLian irrigatED agriCuLturE Preparing for a future with less water
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The production of this publication has been funded by HAL using voluntary contributions from Irrigation Australia Ltd and matched funds from the Australian Government.
LEgaL FEaturE what does the new Personal Properties Securities act mean for suppliers in the irrigation industry? 46
REGulAR ITEmS 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
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on tHE Front CoVEr irrigation 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.
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wELCoME
iaL SuPPort oFFiCE Po Box 863, Mascot nSw 1460
ChAIRmAN’S REPoRT
P (02) 8335 4000 F (02) 8335 4099 www.irrigation.org.au CEo: ian atkinson Email: ian.atkinson@irrigation.org.au
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 brian.rault@halledit.com.au 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.
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As A CHILd growing up in the riverland I remember fondly visits from family friends, the Champions, for two reasons: firstly, Greg (of Coodabeen Champions fame) playing guitar and, secondly, the arrival of a bag of second hand clothes. These were passed to Greg’s father by the father of the previous wearer. This is why for many years I went off to school wearing monogrammed socks bearing the words “Alexander downer”. After 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” firm Bespoke Approach which aims to influence government policy in favour of its fee paying clients - including mining and gaming companies. Policy decisions are influenced by two factors: the platform on which the successful party stood on at the last election and the political culture of the Australian people. The former governs the policies the government would like to implement and the latter what the public is likely to accept. The multi-million dollar spend by the Minerals Council of Australia on their “This is our story” campaign (http://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”. The campaign is aimed at influencing both the policies of government and the attitudes of the public, in favour of a single sector. In the usA, lobbyists are the formal conduit between politicians and those seeking to influence policy. The recent Cruddas incident in the uk, where senior party fundraisers offered 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 difference in the beneficiaries. While the profits from agriculture tend to stay in the community, the profits 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 unified face than it is for the extremely complex and diversified agriculture sector. While mining exploits a one-time resource, agriculture provides food and fibre 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 influence 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. The irrigation industry by comparison only exists if there are viable agriculture and lifestyle industries. Making them sustainable guarantees our survival. so with its finances 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, certification and rde&A. Through 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. Through education we can keep the industry informed on what is sustainable irrigation practice. Through certification we can prove to the public and government that we are a professional and competent industry – an industry committed to sustainability. Through 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 efforts 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 handme-downers! PETER TOOME IAL NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
EdIToRIAl Welcome to the conference and exhibition edition of Irrigation Australia journal.
CEo mESSAGE
once every two years the journal features a catalogue and guide to Irrigation Australia Conference and
HeLLO TO ALL our IAL members and interested others (perhaps that should be ‘potential members’). This 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.
this approach believe it encourages innovation and gives informed buyers more certainty without putting them into a straightjacket. There 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 committees; 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 letters to the editor on this topic, or just drop me a line at ian.atkinson@irrigation.org.au
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 better enforce our certification scheme. All the best Others argue for a more flexible set of best practice IAN ATKINSON guidelines. These would contain much the same CEO 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
Trade Show, the most significant event on irrigation calendar in Australasia and the Pacific. 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 profiles 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
autuMn 2012
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TECHNOLOGY: Agriculture Long-term commitment to reduced water use pays dividends 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.
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.
Figures speak for themselves The 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-theart 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). 4
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 onsite 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.
Using state-of-the art equipment and managing it optimally are keys to the significant achievements in reduced water use and irrigation application efficiency.
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A recently installed solar system means that the nursery is well on the way to achieving power self sufficiency as well as water self sufficiency.
The 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 selfsufficiency 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 watts. 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. These panels generate 66 MW-hours a year, realising power savings equivalent to removing the carbon footprint of five households each year. The system has an expected payback period of 8.5 years or sooner based on improving power demand efficiencies 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. This 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.
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tECHnoLogY: urBan act government and srs greening tHe way THe ACT GOverNMeNT is currently implementing an ambitious project to significantly 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 has marginal pressure, with recycled water from the capital’s lakes and stormwater canals. One of the benefits 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 fields runs into millions of dollars each year. While these monetary savings are significant, this project is more about saving water than money. The ACT has recognised the significance of this project and has invested significant funds to research, design and undertake the first stages of construction. These funds have been provided through the territory’s economic development directorate and ACT shared services Procurement (ACT srs). Cost-benefit identifies best approach A cost-benefit analysis looked at four water delivery approaches: • pump to each site and to all the sprinkler systems direct from the collection pond • pump at a rate that each system on a given pipeline would require and boost the supply at each site • pump at a low fl ow and low pressure from the collection pond to feed a satellite storage at each site, re-pumping as needed at the site during the course of combined irrigation cycles • pump at a trickle fl ow and low pressure from the collection pond to feed larger 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. After modelling and review, the last approach was selected as it was most effective from a cost and energy input perspective, it gave greater flexibility in system use and management and it enabled the storages to also be sized and fitted with potable backup in the event that the primary recycled water delivery system was unable to supply. This 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 fields 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 field (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. The 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 has proven the effectiveness of the new irrigation system and provided significant savings in cost of water and water used.
A pilot system at dickson dPF, covering an area of 7 ha of sporting fields, is now operating successfully. The lead consultant is Total Irrigation designers Pty Ltd based in sydney. The company designed the site at dickson, which involved four storage tanks, a pumping station and a totally new irrigation system to the playing fields. As well, a storage with a capacity of 1700 kL was installed. This can be filled by either the newly established wetland pond built next to the fields and which sources a constant base flow from the stormwater canal travelling past the fields, or from another, larger, stormwater detention lake planned at Flemington. The tanks are also backed up by potable water should the stormwater supplies fail to be able to supply. These photos of dickson district Playing field show how a new irrigation system is “greening the way”. The photo on the left shows the field 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 field and the four green storage tanks to the western side of the field (photo - Nearmap November 2011).
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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, five other dPFs at kambah and Waniassa with a total of 30 ha have been fitted 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 fields will store irrigation water in a series of holding tanks and re-pump it using Grundfos Cre32 multistage pumps. These pumps will deliver the flow and pressure that the existing and new irrigation systems require to provide precise and uniform irrigation application. Many of the fields have existing systems retrofitted 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 fields as a way of determining those that need to be replaced with new systems to maximise the water savings. The 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.
NEW
A typical district playing field pump station
Note. The 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 Jeffery, 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
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tHE Big iSSuE BuiLding Biodiversity into irrigation infrastructure 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 office using sophisticated software and communications technology. The 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 software, 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 key As 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. There 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 different 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 effectively 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 battle their way through managing new technology with little pooling of industry knowledge or documenting of lessons learned. The 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 benefits of inter-operability based on an open operating platform become obvious. The 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 software, which can be customised to particular situations and customers. The result would allow managers of water supply companies around Australia to benefit from whole-oflife operating cost reductions that would come from scale and standardisation. Alliance formed Giving impetus to the efforts 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”. The objectives of IMA would be to: • review the strengths and limitations of current systems in use • gain an understanding of future requirements of each irrigation system and develop a scope and specification framework that can be adopted as a base platform for the industry nationally • develop an understanding of current technologies and services, and how they may be able to be customised and combined to deliver solutions and options • create options and competition • evaluate true whole-of-life cost models for channel modernisation • establish options for maintenance, service and 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 attend. For information contact IAL CeO Ian Atkinson, email ian.atkinson@irrigation.org.au ANNE CuRREy, IRRIGATIoN AuSTRAlIA
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PrESSuriSED irrigation 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.
ConvertInG FurroW IrrIGAtIon to overhead systems sINCe 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. The 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. The conversion was made possible as the result of CdrH’s successful application to the Healthy HeadWaters Water use efficiency (HHWue) project to upgrade 90% of their irrigation from furrow to overhead machines on both properties. The 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. 12
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. The labour savings have been an added benefit 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 proposed Proposed 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 field 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 first steps taken were early design discussions with sMk Consulting in Goondiwindi to identify what type of development would be suitable for the properties. FsA
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PrESSuriSED irrigation 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
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, certified irrigation designer or certified irrigation agronomist. The application was submitted to derM in October 2010 and approved in december 2010. It was approximately eight weeks from the notification of approval to when the entitlements were signed over to the Commonwealth environmental Water Holder (CeWH). The 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 savings In the 2009-10 season, cotton was grown successfully under both furrow and lateral move and centre pivot systems. The soils and slopes and locations of all of the systems were similar. The average water applied per hectare to irrigate the cotton 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). The tool suggested that the long term average irrigation water requirement for a cotton crop at Goondiwindi is 5.6 ML/ha, however, experienced staff at “south Giddi Giddi” and “undabri” are satisfied that cotton 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. This means the 610 ha development on “undabri” will eQuIPment
dAtA ColleCted
dAtA uSed
automatic weather station
Climatic variables (temperature, rainfall, wind speed and direction)
Calculating site specific evapotranspiration (Et) which is used in determining absolute soil moisture deficit 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
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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).
economics A benefit/cost analysis using a discounted cashflow was conducted to determine the potential return from the Water use efficiency (Wue) investment for each property. Both infrastructure projects were analysed with and without participation in HHWue Infrastructure program. The total cost of the project and the Federal Government contribution were included in the initial discounted cashflow. It was assumed that the water saving available after transferring 2,100 ML to the CeWH would be used to grow extra area of the highest value crop (cotton) on the remaining furrow country. The 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 benefits 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. 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
$781,889
Cashflow period
20 years
20 years
20 years
20 years
Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
19%
6%
22%
7%
Payback period
6 years
17 years
6 years
16 years
Table 3. Summary of benefit/cost analysis for “undabri” and “South Giddi Giddi” developments.
Sensitivity tests. A number of sensitivity tests were conducted to determine the affects of varying the water savings achieved and gross margins. varying the gross margin value had an effect on the profitability but not as much as varying water savings achieved. If both the water saving available and gross margin were reduced, it is possible that there would be no positive return (see Table 4). The return would be much less if the water saving was reduced, but the gross margin was higher. Conversely, if the water saving available remained the same and only the gross margin varied higher and lower, the investment would still remain profitable by varying amounts.
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PrESSuriSED irrigation
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The largest group of independently owned irrigation stores in Australia. .
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For all your pumping and irrigation requirements, call your local Irrigear Store 1300 IRRIGEAR (local call cost) D OM ES T I C . C O M M E R CI A L AG R I C U LT U R AL . I N D U S TR I A L
Current values
water saving 2 ML/ha & low gross margin
water saving 2 ML/ha & high gross margin
water saving 3 ML/ha & low gross margin
water saving 3 ML/ha & high gross margin
water saving
1051 ML
334 ML
334 ML
1051 ML
1051 ML
gross margin ($/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
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. This means that if the realised water saving is only 2 ML/ha, then there will be little water saving available once the allocations have been transferred to the CeWH. Likewise, the water saving of 3 ML/ha is realised when cotton is grown. It is unlikely that cotton would be grown on the entire developed area each year for 20 years. Thus, it is possible that only half this saving is achieved each year if cotton was grown in a rotation system. The below scenarios test varying the amount of water saving available for the south Giddi after 1,100 ML had been transferred the CeWH: • 3 ML/ha saved each year on 100% of the area > 1,051 ML water savings available • 3 ML/ha saved each year on 50% of the area > 525.5 ML water savings available • 2 ML/ha saved each year on 100% of the area > 334 ML water savings available • 2 ML/ha saved each year on 50% of the area > 167 ML water savings available 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 little saving leftover once the water allocation has been transferred to the CeWH and this significantly decreases the return received from the development. water Saving available
1051 ML
525.5 ML
334 ML
167 ML
nPV
$1,786,563
$406,757
-$96,065
-$534,557
Cashflow 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 benefit/cost analysis
About hhWue CAll 1800 IRRIGEAR for membership enquiries or to become part of our Loyal Supplier program. IRRIGEAR SToRES lImITEd PO Box 3060 Mornington Victoria 3931 Ph: 03 5976 1588 E: irrigear@irrigear.com.au
The HHWue project is funded through the Federal Government Water for the Future Initiative and is based within the Queensland Murray darling Basin. The government provided up to $36 million to undertake two rounds of on-farm irrigation efficiency improvements to help both irrigation communities and the environment. The project has helped irrigators invest in more efficient irrigation systems and technologies that reduce water loss, drive long term economic benefits and return a share of water savings to the basin’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains. For further information visit www.derm.qld.gov.au The Department of Environment and Resource Management are looking at holding further rounds of infrastructure funding in the future, for more information the HHWUE project team can be contacted on 07 4529 1321 or via email HHWUE@derm.qld.gov.au or via the website www.derm.qld.gov.au bEC RAymoNd ANd mARy PhIlP, QuEENSlANd dEPT. of AGRICulTuRE, fIShERIES ANd foRESTRy
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A hands-on intelligent approach Comdain Infrastructure is a leading infrastructure construction and maintenance services business specialising in the water, irrigation and gas sectors. Comdain Infrastructure’s irrigation capabilities include construction of: irrigation meters; regulators (civil works and gates); channel lining; major weir works; gravity and pressure pipelines; civil, mechanical and electrical works; automation control; winter shut-down projects; and developing and delivering on-farm irrigation solutions. We place importance on professional excellence and best practice in all aspects of our construction and maintenance services work, most particularly on safety.
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PrESSuriSED irrigation PreSSurISed PumPInG SYStemS for agricultural irrigation
PressurIsed IrrIGATION Is one sure way to meet the demands of modern agricultural irrigation, and with a constant pressure irrigation system, energy savings can be significant. energy consumption is an issue for irrigators today, and yet many are unaware of the potential savings from using energy more effectively. Constant pressure irrigation optimises irrigation uniformity, reduces water consumption, safeguards the water resource and helps maintain productivity.
maintaining pressure from the water source Traditionally, 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. The typical approach has been to install a pump that can constantly deliver more than enough water. However, this ends up wasting money and energy. The pump must do more than simply deliver water to the pipes to be effective. Adding variable speed drives improves irrigation efficiency 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 flow of water in applications where even greater pressure is needed. All these elements must be fully integrated into the design to provide the benefits that a modern irrigation pumping system can offer. Maintaining correct pressure and flow 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 often, and do not offer savings on energy. This is because by reducing pressure from the pump they take out again the energy that was used to increase pressure in the first place. For sprinkler irrigation, using valves is very ineffective, 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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Agriculture Horticulture tHE SingLE MoSt important task for an irrigation pump is to maintain pressure and flow. Correct pressure at the nozzle means higher irrigation uniformity and savings.
Domestic Commercial
variable speed pumps on centre pivots
Industrial
Centre pivots are known for their potential to apply water efficiently. 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 flow, even if the water source fluctuates. 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 affect irrigation uniformity. The 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 configuration it is possible to maintain the same pressure on all the sprinklers, and thereby deliver a high uniformity. These 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 benefits of energy efficiency 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 better harvest, increased profitability and better water management, ensuring sustainable agriculture in the future.
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A variable speed pump on the pivot applies water to the field evenly and efficiently.
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