Water Talk February 2016

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.

Have you explored all the options?

Aluminium water pipe > gives the least wheel rutting in the business Up to 25Ml/per day laterals > the largest in the business Pivot corner systems > the largest in the business

Mini pivots > for small-scale dairy use Wrap-around spans > for pivoting around field obstructions Three-wheel flexible towers > to enable to walk over rice banks for duel irrigation.

GPS guided laterals and corner systems > no troublesome wires

Center Irrigation > Built on nearly 50 years of farming knowledge and 25 years of practical centre pivot experience.

The all-new Reinke pivoting lateral > the latest in advancements

Don’t get caught with an under-designed system — we are here to help.

CENTER IRRIGATION www.centerirrigation.com.au Ballarat Head Office and Service Centre Maryborough Road, Ascot Ph. 5343 4370 Ian 0438 809 517 Martin 0467 809 517

Deniliquin (Combined Ag) Pumps and Engine Sales and Service Wakool Road, Deniliquin Brian 5881 1355

Moama Sales and Service Centre 2 Marlin Court, Moama Ian 0438 809 517 John 0437 773 3196

PAGE 2—‘Water Talk’, February, 2016

water talk

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.

MONTHLY WATER AUCTION Cascading Sequential Water Auction

Price MerreƩ ConsulƟng have Victoria ’s only two cerƟĮed irrigaƟon designers in the area of agricultural surface irrigaƟon.

Phil Price – Company Dir Director, Surveyor and CerƟĮed IrrigaƟon Designer a designing irrigaƟon systems in Victoria and Phil has been surveying and NSW for 35 years.

“The modern IrrigaƟon Designer must have a wide skill set across irrigaƟon systems, soils, hydraulics, civil engineering, and so much more. ”

Friday 19th February @ 1pm

Landmark Shepparton Office – 295 Benalla Rd Live Auction Interfaced with AuctionsPlus Electronic Online Bidding From Home Online bidding to commence from 9am All bidders MUST be registered with AuctionsPlus and LandmarkWATER prior to commencement

Contact our office to register!

Surveying

•

IrrigaƟon

•

Engineering

•

Project Management

www.pricemerreƩ.com.au

295 Benalla Rd, Shepparton Ph. (03) 5833 0221 Michael Downie 0458 241 242 water@landmark.com.au

‘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

water talk

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,

PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS DROP BOXES Prices start from $605 inc. GST

BAY OUTLETS H} hpshi sl #pu#k pm m l yl u{#zp£l z5

Prices start from $309 inc. GST

’

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.

CULVERT ENDS (HEAD WALLS)

H} hpshi sl #pu#t hu¢ k pm m l yl u{#zp£l z3# ~ p{o#vy#~ p{ov| {#k vvyz3# k | hs#j vu{yvs5

Prices start from $315 inc. GST

• Bay outlets (aluminium or rubber flap) • Pipe and pipe ends • Headwalls • Drop boxes • Channel Checks

• Water troughs • Built for long life with a variety of reinforcing methods • Delivery to site and directly onto final location wherever possible

For details phone (03) 5888 3051 milcast@murrayirrigation.com.au Murray Hut Drive, Finley

‘Water Talk’, February, 2016—PAGE 5

water talk

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?’’

Map soil pH now to make better use of lime Get your soil pH mapped by Onleys and apply lime where it’s needed most. On-the-go soil pH and dual depth electrical conductivity (EC) mapping is now available in your area. Don’t miss out on the economic benefits that come with precise lime, gypsum and fertiliser application Contact the team at Onleys to find out how we make precision agriculture easy.

‘We are your complete land development professionals’ SHEPPARTON 5 Telford Drive, Shepparton Phone: (03) 5821 7171 Email: mail@onleys.com.au www.onleys.com.au SURVEY DESIGN IRRIGATION SURVEY DESIGN IRRIGATION SURVEY DESIGN IRRIG

Centre Pivots & Lateral Move Irrigation Systems You will see the followLQJ EHQH¿WV by using Zimmatic Irrigation Systems: • Reduced running costs • Increased wDWHU XVH HI¿FLHQcy • Saves labour and time These are just some of the advantages.

Zimmatic ’s FieldNET option provides farmers easier, faster and user friendly options in one powerful application. FieldNET mobile apps work with iPhone, iPad and Android platforms.

• Allows you to turn on/off pivots, lateral, pumps and adjust application rates • View the current pressure of your dedicated system • Emergency alert should the system shut down • View status of direction, application rate, current position & much more

Contact Darren Kell To learn more about Zimmatic ’s FieldNET

P: (03) 5484 1619 M: 0448 891 616 E: darren.kell@campaspeirrigation.com.au W: campaspeirrigation.com.au A: 81 Lowry Street, Rochester

CAMPASPE

PAGE 6—‘Water Talk’, February, 2016

water talk

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.

SERVICES INCLUDE: • Irrigation Efficiency Projects • Land Subdivisions • Agribusiness Projects • Civil Engineering • Project Management

Depending on your eligibility up to 85% can be refunded for the design of your new irrigation system.

CAF can assist streamlining the process with your funding application.

Call into our new office at 38 Wyndham Street or contact us below to obtain further information.

SHEPPARTON 38 Wyndham St Ph: 5831 3347 DENILIQUIN

137 End St Ph: 5881 3374

www.cafconsulting.com.au

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.

TOTAL EDEN COMBINING

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.

ROB RYE & ARCHARDS IRRIGATION - Raise capital through water brokerage services - We can organise finance and insurance for your project - We supply, build and maintain your project

WITH 60 YEARS OF HISTORY & EXPERTISE IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE YOU CAN TRUST US TO FIND THE RIGHT WATER SOLUTION FOR YOU. SHEPPARTON 03 5822 2600

COHUNA 03 5456 2664

FINLEY 03 5883 4181

MELBOURNE 03 8340 2488

➤ 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

water talk

piping your future We pride ourselves on quality and customer service, and because we are local we have established an outstanding reputation within the industry.

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.

• Our products range in size from 300mm to 1500mm • Both rubber and butt joint pipe.

• All concrete pipes are manufactured to Australian Standard 4058.

• NATA Quality Accreditation to ISO 9001.

• Concrete bends and T-pieces made to order.

For further information and quotes, please phone our friendly team, visit our website or call into our yard.

16 Provincial Cres, Shepparton P: 03 5821 3099 F: 5821 8152 E: admin@mcpipes.com.au W: www.mcpipes.com.au

Filters as fine as 250 Mesh for primary filtration on drip/tape irrigation systems CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE

eaglei.com.au featuring brochures, videos and product information.

The Riverscreen is a great addition to the line of products that Eagle I Machinery offer.

It has been designed to eliminate impurities before the pump. This helps for a number of reasons: • There is no need for a filter on the pressure side of the pump. This eliminates the need to continually clean a pressure filter (when these block your pumping costs go up).

• Cleans water before the pump for reduced pump wear.

• Low maintenance.

• Always maintaining constant pressure in your pivot ensures accurate irrigation application.

• Can pump from dams or rivers down to 4 inches depth with no vortex.

The addition of a Riverscreen to complement your irrigation set up ensures that your infrastructure is operating at optimum performance.

“The Riverscreen is the best product I have seen in 52 years of farming. I have 3 Riverscreens and it has completely changed our process of irrigating out of the river and creek. It has taken the pain out of irrigating! I have been through it all and it completely changed everything for us. It’s a great idea and it does EXACTLY what it is supposed to do. I really appreciate this product. I would like to get a lawn chair, sit and watch it run.”

- Steve Kean, Dawson, NE

Call 0427 056 240 for all enquiries Or email peter@eaglei.com.au

“Adding a pivot to my operation was one of the best decisions that I’ve made. But after 4 years muskrats plugged the suction with mud.

I couldn’t keep it running for any longer than 3 hours. Then I found the Riverscreen. Since the purchase I haven’t had one problem with the suction end of my pivot. I recommend this to everyone that sucks water from an outside source. It’s simply amazing to see what the Riverscreen has done for me.”

- Kelly Jasperson, Thayne, WY

Eagle i Machinery Pty Ltd

Newell Highway, Finley NSW Ph (03) 5883 2391 Fax (03) 5883 3179

Visit eaglei.com.au for more information or phone 0427 056 240.

www.eaglei.com.au

PAGE 8—‘Water Talk’, February, 2016

$110 inc GST per trade.