ountry News Co
Water Talk Reaching Australia ’s richest agricultural region
8-PAGREE
TU 16 FEA ruary 20 Feb
Man-made floods are coming to the Goulburn River as part of the MurrayDarling Basin Plan. The frequency of minor floods will increase under a multi-million-dollar plan to give the wetlands a drink, but the valley’s farmers have some issues. See pages 3 and 4.
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PAGE 2—‘Water Talk’, February, 2016
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Steady start to electronic auction he first ever electronic multiT vendor water auction held last month had some success despite a
difficult water market. The never-before-seen water auction platform, designed to deliver greater confidence and flexibility to farmers, was established by LandMark Water and AuctionsPlus. Landmark Harcourts Shepparton licensed estate agent and LandMark Water water broker Michael Downie ran the auction on January 15 and said everything went according to plan. ‘‘We had 27 people viewing the auction and we had four people logged in as bidders on the electronic side,’’ Mr Downie said. While no sales went through on the day of the auction, Mr Downie said two parcels of water were sold afterwards at $255/Ml. Mr Downie acknowledged the current water market was a challenging one, despite the slight easing of water prices. ‘‘There are a lot more sellers than buyers in the current market.’’ He predicted that water prices would continue to ease if the rain continued as it did last week. The electronic water auctions are held on the third Friday of every month. Mr Downie could not predict how the next electronic auction, scheduled for Friday, February 19, would unfold and said it would be dependant on how water prices fluctuated. ‘‘I think it will hopefully see some better activity but that depends where water prices are.’’ Weather conditions were likely to dictate the success of future water auctions, Mr Downie said. ‘‘If it’s a drier autumn we could see some increased demand on people needing to irrigate their annual pasture and crops.’’ Mr Downie said he would continue developing and improving the new system. While there are other water brokers who have formatted their own water systems, Mr Downie said this was the first time multiple vendors could sell water on a live and electronic bidding system. ➤ For more information on the electronic water auction, phone Michael Downie on (03) 5833 0222.
The RO17 pipeline built as part of Goulburn-Murray Water’s Connections project. G-MW’s pipeline solution saves 1000 Ml of water and provides more secure supply to 83 customers.
Pipeline saves 1000Ml ore than 1000 Ml of water has been M saved and 83 landowners provided with a more secure irrigation supply
through a significant pipeline built as part of Goulburn-Murray Water’s Connections Project. G-MW’s Connections general manager Ian Rodgers said the pipeline was the largest built in the project so far and stretched for 13 km in the area near Wharparilla, east of Echuca. ‘‘Pipelines are an essential part of the Connections project. They’re not only a cost-effective solution, they stop the thousands of megalitres of water wasted each year to leakage, seepage and evaporation,’’ Dr Rodgers said. ‘‘In this case the 13 km pipeline is a retic water low energy hybrid pipeline, which means it operates under a gravity feed for most of its use, but can be pumped during peak demand. ‘‘This is state-of-the-art technology that’s securing water savings and providing a more effective and efficient water delivery system for our region.’’
Maximise the eĸciency of your farm
The G-MW Connections project is the most significant upgrade to Northern Victoria’s irrigation infrastructure in its 100-year history. The $2 billion modernisation project is broken into 165 Strategic Connection Plan areas across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. Dr Rodgers said the pipeline ensured the completion of an entire 4748 ha SCP – known as RO17. ‘‘The modernisation of this area will see 1000 Ml of water savings and 14 km of channel decommissioned,’’ Dr Rodgers said. ‘‘The pipeline has largely replaced the existing channel system and on top of this we’ve removed outdated manual dethridge wheels and replaced them with automated channel systems that ensure farmers can get water when and where they need it.’’ The large-scale project was constructed in two stages, with the main trench stretching 13 km. In the first stage 83 customers were
connected through 30 Connections agreements. The second stage of the project involved two smaller pipelines, one stretching 800 m and the other 300 m, which ensured new meter upgrades for 11 customers. Dr Rodgers said a pump station had also been constructed to allow for increased supply during peak times. ‘‘Now the major works in the area are complete, the clean-up will take place during summer,’’ he said. ‘‘This means the ground is dry and allows machinery to easily scrape the loose clay and dirt away.’’ The G-MW Connections project is funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments. It is creating a more sustainable water delivery system in the GMID by creating a leading water delivery system that is boosting irrigator productivity, and the project is securing water savings that help communities thrive and fosters healthy waterways and wetlands.
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‘Water Talk’, February, 2016—PAGE 3
water talk
The Bunbartha meeting.
The audience at the Undera meeting.
Flood plan has farmers worried armers are closely F watching the development of a
$140 million plan to increase the number of minor floods along the Goulburn River to improve the riverine environment. Farmers have raised concerns about flooding of farm land, the creation of unintentional major floods and rights to compensation. While many farmers support the attempt to improve the health of the river and associated wetlands, they are also wary of the potential impacts, having experienced major floods in recent living memory. The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is proposing to increase the number of minor floods at the level of 25 000 Ml/day at Shepparton, which would be lower than any major flood. According to the CMA the 25 000 Ml/day floods are occurring about five to 10 times every 10 years, and they propose to increase that occurrence by adding one to three more per 10 years, during July to October. Environmental water flow co-ordinator Geoff Earl has
been outlining the proposal to community meetings and said that each flood event would last for about five days. Following the target flow rate, about 1839 ha of wetland area downstream of Shepparton would be inundated. Mr Earl pointed out that higher flows along the Goulburn could be achieved by diverting flows normally destined for Waranga Basin, and by increasing flows out of Eildon, although there was a limit of 10 000 Ml/ day at Alexandra. About 20 property owners attended a consultation meeting held at Undera recently. Undera property owner Judy Clements said the authorities had been slow starting their consultation, but were now starting to recognise the importance of working with landholders. She said she didn’t object to the principles of water for the environment but the impact on farmers and their assets had to be taken into account. She was not sure how the proposals for compensation in perpetuity would operate and if they would work in reality. Ms Clement said any plan
PROPOSED COST FOR THE GOULBURN ➤ Program management $8.4 million ➤ Consulting and engagement $12 million ➤ Investigations $2.3 million ➤ Flow management $4.6 million ➤ Private land $30.5 million ➤ Specialist businesses $28.0 million ➤ Roads/bridges $21.0 million ➤ Levees $24.8 million ➤ Levee outlets $7.7 million ➤ Total cost: $139.3 million Source: Goulburn Broken CMA.
should ensure that farmers did not have to bear a greater burden than the rest of the community for the ultimate benefit. Undera dairy farmer Bart Van Ruiswyk said he had looked at the potential impact of a 25 000 Ml/day flow down the river and believed he could live with that.
Geoff Earl from the CMA outlines the proposal to an Undera consultation meeting. He said the plan would require good drainage to get the water off after the flood and the authorities needed to be on the front foot to ensure there were no negative impacts on farms. At a recent consultation meeting, Gail Grinter from Kaarimba said she was concerned for the future. ‘‘It’s the unpredictability
of what could happen,’’ she said. ‘‘We’re at risk of extra flooding. ‘‘I’m worried about the maintenance and the ongoing costs as well.’’ Stuart Grinter from Kaarimba said he didn’t understand what the authorities were trying to achieve.
‘‘There’s also the damage it could do to our rivers.’’ Cr Kevin Bourke from Moira Shire, who lives in Nathalia, said the plan would have adverse effects on businesses. ‘‘I’m suspicious; roads and bridges will need to be reviewed. ‘‘There will be a lot of dollar impact.’’
PAGE 4—‘Water Talk’, February, 2016
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Environment ‘held to ransom’ he ongoing T environmental health of Murray-Darling Basin is
being held to ransom by privileged landholders, according to Goulburn Valley Environment Group. GVEG president John Pettigrew said landholders were refusing to fully cooperate in finding solutions to remove constraints that impaired the delivery of future environmental flows. He said these landholders had secured water entitlements and almost a century of flood protection that had made farming possible on low-lying river flats. Environmental flows currently under consideration equate to minor-flood levels, and Mr Pettigrew said to suggest permanent damage could occur that would threaten farming livelihoods, was misleading. He said the easements and compensation being demanded by many landholders were exaggerated and based on unlikely weather events
‘
Victoria’s Goulburn River needs regular flows, not just for the environment, but to support the irrigation industries, towns, recreational fishing and wildlife John Pettigrew
capable of protection by prudent risk management. He said in many cases compensation was expected by landholders for land, the vast proportion of which was unlikely to ever be affected in any way by environmental flows. ‘‘Victoria’s Goulburn River needs regular flows, not just for the environment, but to support the irrigation industries, towns, recreational fishing and wildlife,’’ Mr Pettigrew said. ‘‘This health depends on connectivity; connecting the Goulburn River channel to wetlands on a more regular basis to support bio-diversity, fish breeding,
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tourism and the environment.’’ The $140 million cost of constraint management strategies is an early estimate, based on highly conservative risk management and including substantial contingency allocations. Mr Pettigrew said the basin plan and its implementation underpinned the ongoing health of the region, and he asked those opposing the plan’s implementation and development of the Constraints Management Strategy to consider the interests of the broader community.
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‘Water Talk’, February, 2016—PAGE 5
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Locked out andholders of central L Murray Valley are ‘‘sick of not being listened to’’ and are locking their gates on bureaucrats seeking access to their land to implement the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Their frustration is fuelled by the implementation of the Federal Government’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan in addition to volumes of water proposed to fit down the system, which, landholders said, would not work without significant third party impacts. The government has allocated $200 million for the project for the entire basin from Queensland to South Australia over a 10-year period, however a business case prepared by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority predicted it would cost $140 million for the Goulburn River alone. The ‘‘lock the gate’’ campaign plans to shut out bureaucrats until landholders are guaranteed meaningful and productive discussions that will deal with their issues and concerns. It is concerned with the area between the Edward and Murray rivers, including the Wakool and Niemur
Deniliquin farmer Bill Dudley, Murray Valley Private Diverters chair John Lolicato and new Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive officer Phillip Glyde at the Edward River Regulator offtake at Picnic Point. rivers and the Merran, Yallakool and Colligen creeks, plus all of the associated anabranches and flood runners between them. Wakool River Association chairman John Lolicato said he wanted to know where the money was coming from. ‘‘What compensation and other things can be put in place?’’ he asked. Mr Lolicato said if big volumes of water were put into a river, there would be issues. ‘‘We’re sick of talking and nothing is being done,’’ Mr Lolicato said. ‘‘We’ve been fighting for years.’’ He said it was another divide-and-conquer
approach by people who were trying to implement a flawed basin plan, and it was one landholders would not accept. ‘‘We have continually tried to tell government departments and agencies that recommended flows under the basin plan will not fit down the system, and affected landholders are sick and tired of repeating the same issues,’’ Mr Lolicato said. ‘‘We’re concerned about what we’re providing for future generations. ‘‘I could sell my water and then sell the land — but what would that leave the next person who wants it?’’
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PAGE 6—‘Water Talk’, February, 2016
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Fish deaths are predicted he Environment T Protection Authority Victoria has flagged that
FARM PLAN FUNDING AVAILABLE Funding is still available across parts of Northern Victoria for preparation of an irrigation efficient farm development plan.
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extremely dry seasonal conditions could lead to further fish deaths in Victoria this summer. EPA’s regional services executive director Damian Wells said fish deaths at Avoca River in Charlton and Lake Colac earlier this month were caused by natural drying of waterways and low water flow conditions. ‘‘The prolonged period of below-average rainfall across Victoria has significantly reduced water levels of inland waterways — particularly in the north, north-west and south-west of the state,’’ Mr Wells said. ‘‘Drying is a natural process. ‘‘In some cases, lake beds can dry completely and remain dry for long periods.’’ Mr Wells said dead fish decomposed naturally and were usually cleaned up by birds and other natural elements.
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Low water flow conditions are expected to lead to fish deaths this summer. He said the EPA investigated reported fish deaths and worked closely with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, water corporations and catchment management authorities to manage fish death events during summer.
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➤ Members of the community are urged to contact EPA’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) if they see large numbers of fish, crustaceans and/or eels that appear to be dead or struggling.
‘Water Talk’, February, 2016—PAGE 7
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The North Central CMA has decided the Campaspe River will not need an extra environmental flow this month.
Rain negates flow need eavy rainfall early in the new year H has led to a planned environmental flow down the Campaspe River being
cancelled. Parts of the lower Campaspe catchment received up to 50 mm of rain on Monday, January 4, resulting in significant flows into the river. North Central Catchment Management Authority environmental water manager Andrew Sharpe said the early January natural flows achieved the environmental objectives of the planned summer watering. ‘‘Our Seasonal Watering Plan identifies the need for an environmental watering in January, to promote growth and survival of fringe vegetation, encourage fish movement and wet submerged wood and silt to increase waterbug productivity,’’ he said. ‘‘Our planned environmental flows are always subject to climatic conditions at the
time, and whether or not there have been any natural inflows. ‘‘The January storms provided enough inflows to achieve the depth and flow levels required, so there was no need to go ahead with the environmental watering. ‘‘That means about 500 Ml of water is staying in Lake Eppalock.’’ Water being delivered to meet irrigation demands is also currently providing enough water for the Campaspe River summer low flows, so use of environmental water from Lake Eppalock is currently not required. ‘‘Our low flows are small but steady flows, aimed at maintaining the river’s aquatic vegetation, maintaining river pool water levels for native fish, preventing water quality decline and allowing platypus to safely move and forage,’’ Mr Sharpe said. ‘‘Currently, irrigation water is doing the work of the low flows for us.
‘‘This may change in the future, but we are working closely with Goulburn-Murray Water to achieve the best outcomes we can for the environment, irrigators, recreation users and the wider community,’’ he said. So far this financial year, about 95 per cent of environmental water released from Eppalock Dam has been made available for reuse to benefit the environment further down the system. ‘‘Other communities, rivers and wetlands also benefit from this water,’’ Mr Sharpe said. The Seasonal Watering Plan is developed in partnership with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and supported by local input from community representatives, Goulburn-Murray Water, DELWP and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.
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