ountry News Co
Water Talk Reaching Australia ’s richest agricultural region
E 12-PAUG RE T FEA uly 2015 J
Fluid future $100 million is being spent on the northern Victorian channel network. — page 8
Channel works: Plastic lining stops water being lost to leakage and seepage.
Connections progress: G-MW project manager Jason Williamson at a pipeline project near Rochester.
Irrigation outlooks for northern Victoria — page 3 | Irrigators to meet at Barham — page 7 | What an El Niño means — page 4
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PAGE 2—‘Water Talk’, July, 2015
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Stone welcomes plan inquiry ederal Member for F Murray Sharman Stone has welcomed the Senate
Inquiry into the MurrayDarling Basin Plan announced on June 24 as ‘‘really good news for all who are trying to make a living out of irrigated agriculture in the MurrayDarling Basin’’. Dr Stone said: ‘‘For all of us now living under the threat of regular extra flooding from the constraints strategy, or having to depend for all or most of their irrigation on the temporary water market, there is no time to lose before we restore a triple bottom line approach. ‘‘The original requirement was that communities, the economy and the environment were equally well served by the MDB Plan. ‘‘Unfortunately it is now so very far skewed towards stacking more water into the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) bucket that productivity and community viability is compromised in many areas, particularly in Southern NSW and Northern Victoria.’’ Dr Stone said she met Prime Minister Tony Abbot ‘‘to reinforce the message about the real struggles we
are having in Northern Victoria where over half of our water has been sold off to the CEWH or downstream’’. ‘‘As well I explained the impacts of the $1 billion in Commonwealth and $1 billion in State funding that G-MW is using to shrink the footprint of the irrigation system, drying off properties on spur channels.’’ Dr Stone is clearly unimpressed by the initiatives of her own Liberal Federal Government. ‘‘We celebrate opening up Northern Australia and Tasmania’s new irrigation systems, while we destroy ours,’’ she wrote in an opinion piece. On a more positive note, the Murray Darling Regional Economic Diversification Program has funded projects of at least $18 million in the RiverinaMurray to help communities respond to the loss of irrigation water through the Murray Darling Basin Plan. Last week, the Federal Government announced a $25 million regional roads package for South Australia from unspent funds allocated to South Australia in the Murray Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program.
Irrigators have an opportunity to make a submission to a new Senate inquiry looking at the impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Making your farm more water efficient
Terms of reference: The committee was directed to report on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and associated Commonwealth programs’ positive and negative impacts on regional communities, with particular reference to: ➤ The implementation of the plan, including its progress, costs — especially those related to further implementation — and direct and indirect effects on agricultural industries, local businesses and community wellbeing, and any
evidence of environmental changes to date. ➤ The effectiveness and appropriateness of the plan’s Constraints Management Strategy, including the progress of identifying constraints and options to mitigate the identified risks, and environmental water flows and river channel capacity. ➤ The management of the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray mouth, including the environmental impact of the locks, weirs and barrages of the Murray River and any related matter.
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fresh flow that will result in increased river levels in the Goulburn River downstream of Goulburn Weir. Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s environmental flow co-ordinator Geoff Earl said the environmental water would be delivered to water bank vegetation and increase habitat for macro invertebrates (water bugs) and fish. ‘‘After losing a lot of bank vegetation during the 2010-11 floods, rushes, herbs and grasses tolerant of fluctuating water levels are now re-establishing on the river banks,’’ Mr Earl said.
‘‘Flow variation is important to provide soil moisture to the bank profile and build the populations of these appropriate vegetation types along river banks.’’ River flows are planned to rise from current levels (about 1000 Ml/day) to a peak of 9500 Ml/day at Murchison. The increase to this level will take about one week, and then slowly drop back to 1000 Ml/day over a period of three weeks. The delivery of the entire flow will take about one month. With a peak flow of 9500 Ml/day, river levels are likely to increase to a maximum of about 4.4 m at Murchison and 5.9 m at
Shepparton, still well below the top of the bank. Rainfall in July could change the planned fresh flow, changing its timing and/or the flow height. Flows in the Murray River and maintenance works downstream could also influence the release of the fresh. Weather forecasts are regularly monitored and the delivery of environmental water will be reduced or cease where significant rainfall is forecast to result in high river flows. ➤ Forecasts of flows from Lake Eildon and Goulburn Weir are available on the Goulburn-Murray Water website at www.g-mwater. com.au/water-resources/ managing-water-storages
‘Water Talk’, July, 2015—PAGE 3
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Dry conditions affect allocations ow inflows into major L water storages have impacted on opening
water allocations in the Goulburn-Murray Water region. The G-MW Murray gravity irrigation system has received 35 per cent and the Goulburn system 42 per cent of allocation from July 1, although gravity irrigation does not start until mid-August. Irrigators are likely to start the season on August 15 with more water, under forecasts issued by northern resource manager Mark Bailey. The seasonal determination in the Campaspe system is 50 per cent of high-reliability water and the Loddon system receives 37 per cent. Dr Bailey said inflows into the major storages had stayed ‘‘very low’’. ‘‘There was very little improvement in stored resources during May and June,’’ he said. ‘‘The first seasonal determinations of the new water year and the declaration of a low risk of spill for Lake Eildon and Lake Eppalock reflect the dry conditions currently being experienced.
‘‘Seasonal determination improvements now depend on future inflows. ‘‘With the current dry conditions and concerns for what the El Nin ˜o event may mean for inflows during spring, we added a new ‘Extreme Dry’ outlook to inform water users of likely seasonal determinations under near-minimum inflows,’’ Dr Bailey said. ‘‘Most northern Victorian systems have tracked close to the ‘Dry’ outlook category in recent months. ‘‘This is expected to continue under the July to September climate outlook issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on June 25.’’ The Goulburn system’s inter-valley trade account now owes about 80 Gl to the Murray system. The Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems can trade to the Victorian Murray system, NSW and South Australia while the total volume owed to the Murray system is less than 200 Gl. The Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems can trade from the Victorian Murray system, NSW and South Australia while the total volume owed to the
Murray system is greater than zero. Allocation trade from NSW to Victoria is limited to the lesser of a net annual volume of 200 Gl or a volume that keeps the risk of spill in the Murray system below 50 per cent. The current risk of spill limit allows 140 Gl of net trade from NSW to Victoria. Trading opportunities from NSW to Victoria are next updated on July 15. Customers participating in the water trading market can monitor trade availability on the Water Register website at waterregister.vic.gov.au/ water-trading/allocationtrading from July 6, when the Water Register reopens. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has announced that trading of water allocations from above the Barmah Choke to downstream of the choke is restricted to protect the delivery of downstream water entitlements. Customers can monitor trading opportunities across the Barmah Choke on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority website at www.mdba.gov.au/riverdata/barmah-choke
Murray and Goulburn system outlook for seasonal determination of high-reliability water shares Inflow conditions
17 August 2015
15 October 2015 15 February 2016
Murray system Wet
68%
100%
100%
Average
48%
78%
100%
Dry
41%
61%
83%
Extreme Dry
37%
37%
43%
Wet
100%
100%
100%
Average
83%
100%
100%
Dry
53%
84%
100%
Extreme Dry
44%
49%
58%
Goulburn system
Source: Media release – Resource Manager, Seasonal determination announcement July 2015
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PAGE 4—‘Water Talk’, July, 2015
water talk
Outlook is drier than average he latest Bureau of T Meteorology seasonal climate outlooks for July
to September forecast a drier than average outlook for south-east Australia. Warmer days are likely for north-eastern Australia and the far south. The bureau said climate influences included
unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean, and El Nin ˜o in the tropical Pacific. Climate Outlooks indicate likely temperature and rainfall trends over monthly or seasonal time scales, and are driven by large-scale shifts in the climate such as El Nin ˜o or La Nin ˜a events. By contrast, weather forecasts
are currently produced out to seven days, and are used in short-term planning. DEDJTR seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey said there was a greater chance of a drier spring. ‘‘But not all dry springs have been drought. The vast majority have been agronomically okay,’’ Mr Grey said.
What is an El Nin˜o? ➤ It’s a warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean that disrupts weather patterns across the Pacific. ➤ It can cause a corresponding cooling of the ocean in the western Pacific and around northern Australia. ➤ Cooler seas near Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia reduce convection — moist air at the surface that is heated, rises, cools and condenses into rain-bearing clouds. ➤ Convection migrates towards the eastern Pacific and can deliver increased rain to the west coast of North and South America. ➤ El Nin˜o can also disrupt the trade winds that, in the southern tropical Pacific, blow moisture-laden air towards the eastern Australian coast.
What are the effects of an El Nin˜o in Australia?
El Nin˜o is affecting our weather, says the Bureau of Meteorology.
Lower rainfall: ➤ El Nin˜o increased chances of belowaverage rainfall through winter and spring in much of Australia, especially the north and east. ➤ El Nin˜o does not always mean drought but nine out of the 10 driest winter/spring periods happened in El Nin˜o years. ➤ Australia’s severest droughts — 1982/83, 1994, 2002 and 2006 — were all associated with El Nin˜o. ➤ Since 1900, El Nin˜os delivered winter/ spring rainfall 28 per cent lower than the longterm average. Temperature extremes: ➤ Warmer-than-average weather, particularly in southern Australia and particularly in the second half of the year. Decreased cloud cover increases surface heating and assists to keep rainfall low. ➤ Background warming of the atmosphere
has made El Nin˜o years warmer since the 1950s, the Bureau of Meteorology says. ➤ In warmer months, El Nin˜o can cause fewer slow-moving ‘blocking’ high-pressure systems, worsening heat extremes for cities such as Adelaide and Melbourne with an increase in extreme hot days and heatwaves further north. ➤ Frost increases in El Nin˜o years in cooler months in eastern Australia because clearer skies contain less daytime heat and lead to reduced minimum temperatures. ➤ There are between 15 and 30 per cent more frost days in El Nin˜o years than average in northern Victoria and southern NSW, affecting agriculture. ➤ Australia’s record low temperature of -23°C at Charlotte Pass, NSW, on June 29, 1994, occurred during a strong El Nin˜o event. Increased bushfire risk: ➤ El Nin˜o droughts dry the bush and have led to disasters including the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires that killed 71 people in Victoria and South Australia. Disrupted tropical weather: ➤ Fewer tropical cyclones, especially for Queensland. ➤ Later onset of northern monsoon rains. ➤ Below-average wet season rains early in the season, with average rain later in the season. Reduced winter snowfall: ➤ The four lowest recorded peak snow depths in Australia’s alpine country occurred in El Nin˜o years, including severe drought years in 1982 and 2006.
Higher than forecast delivery ore than 741 Gl was M delivered through Murray Irrigation’s network
to farmers during 2014-15. The higher than forecast delivery was complemented by an active temporary trade market in the region, which saw more than 110 Gl traded into Murray Irrigation by its customers — despite the high temporary water prices. With seasonal allocations peaking at 61 per cent, the company’s water usage onfarm is slightly higher than the five-year average of 729 Gl, but down on last year’s total of 924 Gl (with allocation reaching 100 per cent last season). The majority of water delivered this season was used on rice (333 Gl), followed by 149 Gl delivered to annual pasture and 123 Gl to winter crops. Murray Irrigation chairman Bruce Simpson said the deliveries, combined with the trade, shows a level of confidence in the capacity for local commodities to deliver a return on investment. ‘‘There is no doubt that the low allocations and high temporary prices impact on individual business choices, but our delivery figures show that this region is still highly productive and able to attract water in,’’ Mr Simpson said. ‘‘The fact that more than 110 Gl was transferred into the region shows that people think their business is worth the investment.’’
A Murray Irrigation excavator de-silting a channel as part of the company’s winter works. Sources of additional water traded into Murray Irrigation’s system this season were mainly from the NSW Murray and Murrumbidgee, with less than 10 per cent of the trade-in volume from Victoria and South Australia. The Murray Water Exchange, which closed on June 5, saw more than 138 Gl allocation traded throughout the water season. It re-opened on July 1. ‘‘The Murray Water Exchange showed that an active, open and transparent water market provides farmers with another tool that they can use to
manage their business and water assets,’’ Mr Simpson said. While the 2014-15 irrigation season has officially come to an end, Murray Irrigation is now focused on its 2015 winter works program. This includes routine winter maintenance and Private Irrigators Infrastructure Operators Program construction works. ‘‘As a result, customers can expect to see a higher level of vehicle activity around channels over the next couple of months,’’ Mr Simpson said.
Murray Irrigation chairman Bruce Simpson.
‘Water Talk’, July, 2015—PAGE 5
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PAGE 6—‘Water Talk’, July, 2015
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Grants to fence off Campaspe Central Catchment North Management Authority is putting the
call out to landholders along the Campaspe River interested in applying for fencing grants. Under the Caring for the Campaspe project, the North Central CMA has so far facilitated fencing along 26 km of riverbank on 23 properties. Project manager Angela Gladman said fencing off waterways was good news for everyone. ‘‘Landholders benefit, their livestock are healthier and fencing helps prevent erosion, improves water quality and has obvious positives for protecting riverside vegetation,’’ she said. Ms Gladman said North Central CMA would continue to work with a number of
landholders in 2015-16, but was on the lookout for more. ‘‘We are targeting landholders along the length of the Campaspe, from Ashbourne to Echuca. ‘‘Cost of materials and contract labour for a standard fence is fully covered and there are cost-sharing options for off-stream watering also available. ‘‘Landholders will also be aware the latest federal budget included a tax change for farm fences to be 100 per cent deductible.’’ Caring for the Campaspe is a $3.73 million project funded from the Victorian Government’s Securing Priority Waterways program and managed by North Central CMA. ➤ For more information, phone Angela Gladman on 5440 1825 or email angela.gladman@nccma.vic.gov.au
Are you looking to Buy or Sell Water! North Central Catchment Management Authority has money for landholders to fence off Campaspe River frontages.
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Visitors flock to hub he new Mokoan Hub and Cafe ´ at T Winton Wetlands has welcomed more than 4000 visitors in its first
month of operation. This figure does not include the more than 400 people who attended the opening. Cafe ´ manager Melanie O’Donohue said she was pleased with the number of visitors and the positive response to the menu. ‘‘Weekends have been the busiest times with lunch proving to be very popular. Like any new cafe, we’ve encountered a few teething problems but overall we’re happy with how it’s going,’’ Mrs O’Donohue said. ‘‘Speed of service is always something we are mindful of and as our staff get more accustomed to working together this will certainly improve.’’ Winton Wetlands chief executive officer Jim Grant believes that so far the performance of the cafe has exceeded expectations and that the building itself was a drawcard. ‘‘It has great food, a great view and is a wonderful building; what more could you ask for?’’ Mr Grant said.
‘‘Like many locals, my family and I have proudly been taking visitors there regularly over the past few weeks. ‘‘We will now be looking to further develop the offering at the hub in terms of providing visitors with information about the wetlands and the surrounding region.’’ Water is starting to reappear in the wetlands and during winter the view will change from a summer view of a mosaic of rushes and other red, gold and green native wetland plants to a broad water body reflecting the hills and mountains behind. The arrival of waterbirds is expected during the next few weeks. The next Winton Wetlands development will be the camping facilities at the Bird Lovers Camp in the north-east corner of the reserve. This camping ground will be designed for those who want a bush camping experience with great wildlife viewing within a short drive of the cafe ´ and close to the area’s wineries. Work will continue on the bike path network, especially the connection to Benalla.
‘Water Talk’, July, 2015—PAGE 7
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Meeting to tackle water worries veryone with an interest in E water is invited to a public meeting this Wednesday to
discuss the water situation in the Murray-Darling Basin. The meeting has been organised by Lindsay Schultz, John Lolicato, John Bradford and Victorian Senator John Madigan. It will provide an opportunity for community members to share their concerns and hear from a range of speakers including politicians from across the country. As well as Senator Madigan, Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie, Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and Federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone are expected to speak. Ballarat-based Senator Madigan has travelled the basin extensively and this year has already visited Yea, Shepparton, Deniliquin and Barham. Murray Darling Association national president Greg Toll said there was a strong push for an amendment to legislation to afford greater consideration of social and economic impacts without losing sight of environmental issues as well. ‘‘This meeting provides a real opportunity for the public to relay their concerns to members of parliament who have made the effort to travel to Barham to see and hear first-hand the issues and
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter (left), Senator Jacqui Lambie (centre, picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch) and Senator John Madigan (right) will attend an irrigators’ meeting in Barham. concerns of the rural community,’’ Mr Toll said. Mr Bradford said: ‘‘All politicians need to understand that there are some major problems with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s approach to the development of the basin plan, ‘‘Decisions on how the basin plan is implemented will further impact on the economies of rural
communities and Australia’s national interests. ‘‘It still seems extraordinary that at a time when Australia is promoting its agricultural sector, policies on the Murray-Darling Basin negatively impact Australia’s main food bowl, both now and in the long term.’’ Mr Lolicato said the inquiry visit followed previous regional tours
Struggling to get message heard epresentatives from R 16 different organisations from the Murray
region met in late May to express their frustration and disappointment that their messages to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority had gone unheard. Southern Riverina Irrigators president John Bradford said while the majority of people in the area supported the need for a Murray Darling Basin Plan, the authority had lost the trust and confidence of basin communities. Mr Bradford said the MDBA’s Constraints Progress Report, which was presented to ministers last year, was misleading and incorrect and that a consultation meeting with the MDBA last year in the lead-up to the report was not properly documented. ‘‘The information that is getting back to the politicians is being filtered,’’ Mr Bradford said. ‘‘The SRI took away five pages of notes and the MDBA had recorded minutes which was about one page. ‘‘Not everything was documented.’’ The meeting in May supported a motion that the 2007 Water Act, the foundation of the plan,
by Senator Madigan, who he said took the time to ‘‘actually listen and learn about what the basin plan meant to people’’. ‘‘From what he discovered, he did not ignore things, instead he has tried to ensure that all politicians begin to understand what is actually happening,’’ Mr Lolicato said. ‘‘Now there is to be a Senate
inquiry into the impacts of the basin plan and while the senator’s visit was arranged prior to the inquiry’s announcements, it is a credit to all those senators and MPs who now are willing to meet with our communities. ‘‘It’s an incredible step in the right direction.’’ ➤ The meeting will be held at the Barham RSL Club from 1 pm to 3 pm on Wednesday, July 8.
Agriculture
‘
Food production in the Riverina brings broader Australian benefits, and understanding the changes brought by decisions on water under the basin plan will have long-term ramifications.
’
Southern Riverina Irrigators president John Bradford must be amended to give equal balance to social, economic and environmental values, when considering options and consequences. A second motion was supported to request an independent investigation of the accountability, performance and independence of the MDBA with emphasis on the validity of its conclusions and recommendations to the government. Also discussed was the recent assessment of the social and economic effects of the plan on areas such as the Wakool Shire. Water attached to the shire’s ratepayers has been reduced by 50 per cent, which has seen a 17 per cent decline in population and a loss of primary production employment by
40 per cent. ‘‘Progressing the concerns of the Murray region to the Federal and State Governments, (we say) the economic activity generated from agriculture is enhanced by sustained investments in irrigation,’’ Mr Bradford said. ‘‘Food production in the Riverina brings broader Australian benefits, and understanding the changes brought by decisions on water under the basin plan will have long-term ramifications.’’ Since the meeting, Victorian Senator John Madigan has organised a number of crossbench senators and other MPs to attend a public meeting at Barham and listen to community concerns (see above story). The meeting will not form part of the inquiry.
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PAGE 8—‘Water Talk’, July, 2015
water talk
Major works program under way rrigation upgrade works I$100 valued at up to million are under
way in the GoulburnMurray Irrigation District. Goulburn-Murray Water’s Connections construction manager Mark Poole said it was one of the biggest works program for several years for the modernisation project. ‘‘During this year’s winter shutdown, 73 manual channel systems will be replaced with state-of-theart automated delivery systems,’’ Mr Poole said. ‘‘We’re also completing 30 km of channel upgrades to reduce water losses from leaks and seepage and building more than 50 pipelines to deliver water to farmers more efficiently.’’ He said the work provided a boost to local economies and was valued at about $6.2 million/week or $1.25 million/day, based on 80 working days. ‘‘It’s not only a win for irrigators and the environment,’’ he said. ‘‘G-MW Connections is creating hundreds of jobs for local contractors, designers, manufacturers
and other water-related industries.’’ G-MW’s Connections project is a $2 billion upgrade project funded by the state and federal governments and Melbourne Water, to modernise, upgrade and improve water delivery in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District. ‘‘We’re supporting some of Australia’s most innovative farmers to leverage smarter on-farm irrigation systems and technology,’’ Mr Poole said. ‘‘This is the country’s largest irrigation modernisation project. We’re upgrading the irrigation infrastructure in an area stretching from Swan Hill in the west to Cobram in the east and encompassing Victoria’s food bowl.’’ Mr Poole said this year’s winter works would mean more slow-moving machinery on local roads and urged people to drive safely. ‘‘Public access to work sites will not be permitted during the construction period for safety reasons,’’ he said.
G-MW project manager Jason Williamson says about 30 km of channel will be remediated this winter.
Connections Project
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Automation of the outlets has been terrific, it’s 24/7
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Nanneella dairy farmers Anne and Gary Budge are one step closer to their goal to be a fully self-contained farming enterprise after connecting to the irrigation backbone through the GoulburnMurray Water Connections project.
‘Water Talk’, July, 2015—PAGE 9
water talk
Plastic lining stops water being lost to leakage and seepage.
This site at Undera is being upgraded by clay lining the channels.
Channel remediation at Rochester (above and below).
G-MW project manager Jason Williamson and TransCom site manager Ross Sidebottom inspect a site near Tatura.
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PAGE 10—‘Water Talk’, July, 2015
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and associated costs > On-farm efficiency programs > Pipe and riser design > Alternative irrigation practices
‘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 IRRIGA
help streamline processes for approving on-farm works for landowners involved in the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections project. ‘‘Instead of the landowners doing the onfarm works themselves and having to apply for planning permits individually, G-MW proposes to streamline the process using existing approvals,’’ G-MW Connections general manager Ian Rodgers said. ‘‘Standardising controls across the GMID will reduce the time, resources and the administrative burden for
farmers, G-MW Connections and councils and lead to better managed construction and environmental outcomes.’’ Landowners currently implementing on-farm works associated with a Connections project agreement will not be affected by this proposed planning scheme amendment. Dr Rodgers said the seven councils (Gannawarra, Greater Shepparton, Campaspe, Moira, Loddon, Greater Bendigo and Swan Hill) and two catchment management authorities (Goulburn Broken and North Central) responsible for approving and reviewing onfarm work permits in the
Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) supported the planning scheme amendment. ‘‘An incorporated document included in each council’s planning scheme will stipulate conditions the G-MW Connections Project will need to comply with, and by doing so negate the need for individual permits,’’ he said. If the amendment is approved by the planning minister, conditions placed upon G-MW are likely to be similar to those listed under the existing incorporated document approved in 2009 for the capital ‘‘backbone’’ works.
Licence allocations licence Groundwater holders in the Lower
Campaspe Valley Water Supply Protection Area will have a 100 per cent allocation for the 2015-16 season. The allocation applies to the Barnadown, ElmoreRochester, Bamawm and Echuca management zones. Goulburn-Murray Water’s groundwater and streams manager Simon Cowan said the announcement gave
licence holders greater certainty. ‘‘G-MW advised customers in January of the likelihood of 100 per cent allocation based on the groundwater recovery levels recorded last year, giving them plenty of time to plan for the season ahead,’’ Mr Cowan said. The Lower Campaspe Valley Water Supply Protection Area has more than 130 licensed groundwater customers and extends from Lake Eppalock in the south to
the Murray River in the north, incorporating the towns of Axedale, Goornong, Elmore, Lockington, Rochester and Echuca. The allocations have been determined in accordance with the Lower Campaspe Valley Water Supply Protection Area Groundwater Management Plan. ➤ For more information or a copy of the management plan, go to www.g-mwater. com.au or phone Brendan Cossens on 5475 3907.
Customers to have a say oulburn Valley Water customers may G be contacted during the coming weeks to assist with the corporation’s
annual satisfaction survey process. Once a year the authority undertakes a telephone survey of customers across its 53 towns to determine satisfaction levels with its services. The survey is carried out independently and reported across the water industry. It is also used as part of the strategic planning process at the authority. Goulburn Valley Water’s corporate services general manager Danny Hogan
said customers who received calls regarding the survey were encouraged to take a few minutes to respond. ‘‘The survey is authorised by GVW,’’ he said. ‘‘Customers can be assured that the data obtained is secure and confidential and that the corporation will at no time link survey responses to any personal information. ‘‘We appreciate input from customers of all demographics, including young and old customers, and tenants and home owners. Your participation is important and greatly appreciated.’’
Ready with spare parts ater Dynamics W holds the largest spare parts stock of T-L
water delivery equipment in Australia. Water Dynamics has sold, installed and serviced more than 1000 T-L Irrigators across Australia in 30 years. With more than $1 million of spare parts in stock, the company holds the biggest stock of T-L parts in the country. Water Dynamics is
committed to its customers and continually strives to get the right parts when and where customers need them. The national T-L warehouse has been developed with customers in mind, ensuring support for local branches to supply spare parts to T-L customers. The Australian-owned company has shops in Yarrawonga and Shepparton, as well as a
network of branches across Australia. The company provides customers with a range of irrigation solutions including pivot and linear irrigation, drip irrigation, micro-irrigation and domestic irrigation. Water Dynamics stores also stock a full range of products including pumps, pipes, drippers, sprinklers and fittings to suit a variety of irrigation needs.
‘Water Talk’, July, 2015—PAGE 11
water talk
Solar powers remote pumps nnovative solar inverter Iexisting technology converting mains-powered
(240 V) pumps is enabling farmers to have powered pumps in remote locations across Victoria. Commodore Australia’s inverter is a big step forward for farmers who need to pump water in areas where no mains power is available. The units have GPRS connectivity with live updates via text, and the system itself can handle single-phase and threephase mains back-up.
Using solar power to drive single-phase and threephase AC (mains) pumps directly, the system uniquely does not require external batteries to operate, meaning it’s an economical, energy-saving, clean and cost-effective alternative to mains power for agricultural, farm and domestic use. The controller takes power from solar panels and converts it to 240 V AC to run the existing pump. Commodore Australia manager Boyd Dainton said
• Manufacturers of Axial Flow & Turbine Pumps • High Flow Pipelines • Dam Site Design On-farm Project needs • Repairs to all makes of pumps
River information is now available on your mobile phone.
Easier access to river data
much water is in Hume Dam? Murray-Darling Basin Authority has given its online river data a major facelift. A dedicated site now provides easier access to current and historic river data using an interactive map showing information from more than 60 places on the Murray River system. MDBA river operations spokesman Joseph Davis said river data had always been the most popular feature on the MDBA website and received more than 100 000 visitors last year. ‘‘This overhaul gives people a much easier way to search and view the
information they’re interested in,’’ Mr Davis said. He said there were a number of new features on the revamped site. ‘‘Our river data flags those locations where there’s been a recent update, such as announcements of lock or weir closures for works, or advice about changes in river heights,’’ he said. ‘‘The site is also now mobile- and tabletfriendly, meaning you can access it while you’re on the river or out in your paddock.’’
y lle Va ear an e Y 13. si la th 0 ra of 2 st er nd Au eal 12 a D 0 2
ondering how high the Murray W River level is at Swan Hill, what salinity is like at Tocumwal, or how
➤ Users can bookmark the new site and provide feedback on the new functions by using the ‘Contact us’ form on MDBA’s website.
Restrictions remain on choke trading rading water from T above the Barmah Choke to below the choke
will continue to be restricted into the 2015-16 water year. This means people upstream of the choke can sell water to buyers downstream of the choke, but only if the same or greater volume of water has first been transferred from downstream to upstream of the choke. Murray-Darling Basin Authority river management executive director David Dreverman said an assessment of current water resource and operational conditions had been done, and that careful control of the demand on channel capacity at the
the inverter, which converts solar energy from solar panels into 240 V power, could be switched back to mains power when the sun was not shining. ‘‘Having spent 20 years running cattle in Victoria, irrigating and repair work was always a challenge in the far paddocks,’’ Mr Dainton said. ‘‘These inverters give farmers the opportunity they deserve to save a small fortune in power costs, or generator fuel/ maintenance costs.’’
choke was needed for effective operation of the river. ‘‘We’ve looked at how much water is moving through the system, we’ve done an estimate of future demand, and we’ve looked at how much trade is taking place,’’ Mr Dreverman said. ‘‘To protect the delivery through the choke of existing water entitlements from the primary storages at Hume and Dartmouth reservoirs, it’s necessary to continue the restriction on trade.’’ He said the balance of water that could be traded through the choke was reset on July 1. An annual adjustment will also be made to take account of water savings
transferred to the Snowy scheme, resulting in an opening balance of 32 700 Ml — the initial volume available to be traded from above to below the Barmah Choke. ‘‘We’ll continue to monitor the River Murray system and will lift the restriction if conditions permit,’’ Mr Dreverman said. Trade applications will continue to be processed by basin states. In the first instance, water market participants should contact their state trading authority for more information. ➤ The current trade balance for the choke can be found at mdba.gov.au/river-data/ barmah-choke
See the difference that Valley Equipment can make to your farm enterprise. • Lowest total life costs on the market • Superior integrity on all running gear • Longer operating life • 20-year warranty on poly-lined spans Cobram Irrigation in conjunction with Valley now offer: • GPS Guidance via Trimble or John Deere Starfire • Telemetry options by Valley’s own Base Station 3 and AgSense Web-Based Solutions
Full Automation at your fingertips. Total control of your operations, anywhere, anytime. Contact Cobram Irrigation
The Leader in Precision Irrigation
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( (03) 5871 1699
info@cobramirrigation.com.au
PAGE 12—‘Water Talk’, July, 2015
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