MIA EnviroWise MI vehicles for sale DOORS sponsorship info

 

 

***Internal Temp Transfer cut-off date is 16 June 2008***

MIA EnviroWise BioTender - OPEN 12 MAY-6 JUNE
MI's MIA EnviroWise program has recently launched the Biodiversity Stewardship Scheme known as 'BioTender'. MIA landholders and interested parties are invited to submit a tender to apply for long term funding to undertake Biodiversity activities in their area within the MIA EnviroWise boundary.

BioTender annual payments to successful applicants will be for ten to fifteen years for fencing, weed and pest control, stock control and enhancement plantings of remnant native vegetation.

The payments are designed to help establish sites as designated remnant native vegetation areas and to manage them long term in a way that improves the health of the site.

Read more (MI media release)
View BioTender advertisment
Q & A Information sheet
Information sheet to assist with completing the application form
Information on MIA Native Plant Communities

To make an appointment with an MIA EnviroWise Biodiversity Officer for further information or to register an Expression of Interest / obtain a copy of the Tender Application form, contact Murrumbidgee Irrigation on 02 6962 0200.

Tenders open Mon 12 May and close at 4pm Fri 6 June with tenders to be placed in the locked tender box in MI's Griffith office reception.

16 May 2008 - MI May Newsletter for customers now available
The May newsletter has been emailed and faxed to those customers who have registered their details on the MI Quick Contact List. Old issues will also be available on the MI website under the above menu heading CUSTOMERS/CUSTOMER NEWS. Details of how customers can register with our free fax/email service are also listed here as well as how to receive a copy of the newsletter if you are not a customer. Printed copies will be available from reception in both our Leeton and Griffith offices.


16 May 2008 - Water Conversion GS to HS -2ND ROUND UPDATE
DWE has advised today that the second round of conversions has been registered and water will be returned to accounts as soon as possible. Participants in this round will be notified in writing (and our website updated) when water is returned to accounts.

Across the two conversion application rounds, 244 separate landholdings converted around 92,000 ML of GS to HS. Across the Murrumbidgee Valley, we believe the total conversion to-date is around 112,000 ML of the 140,000 ML suggested maximum allowed under the Water Sharing Plan.

The demand for a third conversion round (scheduled at this stage for the beginning of next season 08/09) is yet to be determined, but interested customers should contact MI reception in Leeton or Griffith to register their interest.

16 May 2008 - Rostered waterings for gazetted horticulture
Following season closure on the 24 April 08, three rostered waterings for gazetted horticulture have been planned in discussion with the relevant industry groups. The first occurred last week between the 5th and 9th of May.

The next event is scheduled for 26 to 30 May with orders to be placed from the 19 to 21 May. Orders are to be placed via the usual rostered event means, that is, automated phone service for Leeton customers and in person at Yambil St office for Griffith customers.

We will continue to liaise with horticulture industry groups in the lead up to the last of the scheduled events due 19 to 26 June. Customers who consider they have special needs should contact Irrigation Services.

16 May 2008 - Domestic dams on Large Area channels
All Large Area channel systems with no further irrigation commitments for this season will be drained week commencing 26 May to maximise weed control through frost impact as well as maintenance. Customers with domestic dams should ensure they are self sufficient until the start of the 2008/09 irrigation season (early August 08). Contact Irrigation Services Griffith if you have any queries. Orders for supply of domestic dam water are to be placed by 21st May via the automated phone service for Leeton customers and in person at Yambil St office for Griffith customers.

16 May 2008 - Position vacant - Integrated Horticulture Supply Coordinator
Murrumbidgee Irrigation is seeking a highly motivated and experienced project manager to implement our $75 million Integrated Horticulture Supply project, in the Griffith and Leeton area. This project is a 10 year major refurbishment program involving the replacement of open concrete channel systems with a modern and efficient pressurised irrigation supply system.

To obtain an application package, please download the following documents: advert; position summary; position description; application form; applicant's guide; privacy policy. For specific position enquiries contact Geoff Beard on 0427 160 564. This position closes on Fri 6 June 2008.

15 May 2008 - DWE Information re Critical water planning
Click here for DWE Issue 14 Murrumbidgee Valley


14 May 2008
- Federal Government's Budget 08/09
Following on from last night's Rudd Government's first Budget, the Minister for Cimate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong issued several media releases-

$1 BILLION PLAN TO HELP SECURE CITIES' WATER SUPPLIES
$2.3 BILLION TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
$250 MILLION FOR HOUSEHOLDS AND SURF CLUBS TO SAVE WATER
$254.8 MILLION IN WATER SECURITY FOR CITIES AND TOWNS
$400 MILLION BROUGHT FORWARD TO ACT ON MURRAY-DARLING


7 May 2008
- Position vacant - Public Relations Officer
Murrumbidgee Irrigation is seeking a creative and motivated individual with strong graphic design skills to join its Public Relations team located in Griffith. The role will be required to produce a range of communication and marketing documents and materials using graphic design software; and maintain, review and update the company website and intranet.

To obtain an application package, please download the following documents: advert; position summary; position description; application form; applicant's guide; privacy policy. For specific position enquiries contact Jennifer Blake on (02) 6962 0200. This position closes on Fri 30 May 2008.

5 May 2008 - MI Micro irrigation Workshops 17 June & 16 Oct
This field day/short course is ideally suited for those with a drip system already in place. Three main topics are looked at: monitoring, maintenance and scheduling. It is a hands-on course where a manual is supplied. The next workshops will be held on
17 June and 16 Oct
.
Read more

5 May 2008
- SMART WATERING workshops
SMART WATERING workshops are scheduled for Thursday 15 May in Griffith and Thursday 30 October in Leeton (click here).

4 May 2008
- MI Fixed access charges invoice - mailed out
MI customers should expect to receive their Fixed access invoice for the 07/08 season in the mail w/c 7 May. The invoice includes the deduction of the MIA EnviroWise annual levy for all customers as part of MI's transitional arrangements to the new pricing structure.

2 May 2008- Griffith City Council advises Lake Wyangan (north) now reopen
After recent test results revealed a large drop in blue green algae levels, Griffith City Council has reopened the lake for recreational use. It has been closed since mid Jan.

1 May 2008 - Riverina navals looking good
The 2008/2009 preliminary forecast prepared by Riverina Citrus estimates that the Riverina will produce 56,000 tonnes or 2,450,000 cartons of navel oranges this season. This represents a 14% increase from last season and a 5% increase on the five year average. Riverina Citrus media release

29 Apr 2008 -Water Conversion GS to HS both application rounds
MI has recently received further advice from Department of Water and Energy (DWE) regarding a change in the quantity of account water to be placed back into accounts following completion of the conversion process. This applies to both conversion rounds.

DWE has advised that the newly converted high security water account will be at 100% allocation and not the prevailing allocation (currently 90%) as previously advised to MI and its customers (section 4.5 of the Conversion Rules sent out to customers in February). No further HS allocations will be allowed by DWE this season for those water accounts.

If you were a participant in round one, your water account has now been adjusted. If you were a participant in the second round, your account water will be adjusted as soon as round two is finalised (currently expected to be the last week in May). We will update our website (www.mirrigation.com.au) immediately DWE advises completion.

When the water is back in your account, it will be available for you to use, transfer, or save for carryover within the 15% limits applying. Please contact Customer Services (Griffith 6962 0200 / Leeton 6963 0100) if you require further clarification.

28 Apr 2008
-
Rostered waterings for gazetted horticulture -post season closure
Following season closure on 24 April and ongoing discussions with industry groups, MI intends to undertake a series of rostered waterings, subject to demand and prevailing weather conditions. MI has contacted a number horticulture customers this morning following yesterday's rainfall (approximately 20mm in Griffith and 10mm in Leeton) and the general consensus was for the planned early May watering to proceed as planned. An advertisement has been placed in local newspapers.

5 - 9 May, place orders from 28 April - 1 May (COMPLETED)
26 - 30 May place orders from 19 May - 21 May
19 - 26 June
(order dates TBA)

Leeton orders to be placed on the Leeton answering  service.
Griffith orders are to be placed in person at Yambil St office.
Contact Irrigation Services for further information.

18 Apr 2008 - Water Conversion GS to HS
***2nd round of applications CLOSED (COB 18 April)***
Applications from 144 separate landholdings were received and a combined application of just under 50,000 ML of GS to be converted was lodged with DWE during the second round of GS to HS conversion. Completion by DWE is expected to be the last week of May. We will update our website as soon as DWE advises finalisation of the process.


16 Apr 2008
-
DWE Information re Critical water planning
Click here for DWE Issue 13 Murrumbidgee Valley

9 Apr 2008 - MI DOORS program supports student Kokoda Trek
Murrumbidgee Irrigation's DOORS program is proud to be providing support to the upcoming Kokoda Track Expedition by 11 local Year 11 students.

The expedition is the first stage in the Griffith Young Leaders Initiative (GYLI) Program in which students learn to develop their own leadership skills and qualities as well as working together as a team. Upon their return, the students will work within local schools on leadership and values programs to enhance and promote leadership within schools and pride in our rural communities. Read more

8 Apr 2008 - Water Conversion -1st round completed
The first round of bulk applications for GS to HS conversion (commenced early March) is now finalised. Customers who were involved in this round are advised that the residual account water has now been put back in their accounts.
***2nd round of applications now open - closing 18 April***

1 Apr 2008 - No change in southern basin water availability
DWE advise no change to current water allocations in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin of NSW. A substantial autumn break across the Basin is needed to improve the water outlook for 2008/09. Read more

31 Mar 2008 - Water Conversion GS to HS
***2nd round of applications now open - closing 18 April***
The initial bulk application in early March by MI for general security water conversion is expected to be finalised within the next week.

The 2nd bulk application for customers of MI will close on 18th April.
There will be no further rounds this season.

If you intend participating in the second round, please contact Reception on 02 6962 0200 (Griffith) or 02 6953 0100 (Leeton) as soon as possible, to arrange an appointment. Application form

27 Mar 2008 - Basin Reform Agreement a step in the right direction
Murrumbidgee Irrigation today welcomed the COAG Murray-Darling Basin Reform Memorandum of Understanding as a positive first step by the Commonwealth and States toward better water management across the Basin. MI Chairman Dick Thompson said that he was pleased with discussions held with the Commonwealth to date and the contribution of these talks in conjunction with the NSW Irrigators' Council, toward greater balance in the COAG Communiqué. Read more

19 Mar 2008 - Water Conversion GS TO HS
***2nd round of applications now open***

A second round of applications for conversion of GS to HS is now envisaged for this 2007/08 season. Interested applicants should register their intention with MI - contact reception at either Griffith (02 6962 0200) or Leeton (02 6953 0100) offices. If sufficient interest is shown, appointments will be arranged to complete the necessary paperwork. Closing date will be determined by MI and shown on this website.(see update above - close off is 18 April)

Approximately 180 MI customers attended the conversion information meeting for the first round of applications in early March. Applications from 100 separate landholdings were received and a combined application of just over 42,000 ML of GS to be converted was lodged with DWE. There are a number of paperwork processes to be handled by DWE and LPI before the conversion is complete. MI will liaise with DWE and LPI if the process looks to go past the temporary transfer cut-off date or past close of season so that water purchased for the conversion process is not lost to customers.

MI has recommended to the NSW Minister for Water to reduce the 140 GL conversion maximum, pending a review of the Murrumbidgee Water Sharing Plan, to ensure that the conversion rates take into account recent climatic conditions and allow time for stakeholders to test all underlying assumptions. The state has indicated that they will be establishing specific reserves for the water set aside during conversion, to ensure there is no impact on security for other water users in the valley.

19 Mar 2008 - Last large area rostered watering & close of season for all users
The last large area rostered watering event is scheduled to run from 31 March until 24 April after which MI will be suspending full services to all customers, thereby closing the season.

Large area customers are encouraged to plan to ensure they are self sufficient until the start of the 2008/09 irrigation season (early August 08). A reminder that water orders for this event will open from Mon 24 March and close Fri 18 April. Orders are to be placed via the normal rostered event means i.e. automated phone service for Leeton customers and in person at Yambil St office for Griffith customers.

Customers have now completed the registration of intent to irrigate and the IS team are currently analysing this data. There has been a limited call from customers for water availability outside these dates. IS will be in direct contact with these customers to assess demand, timing duration and water-related costs.


For gazetted horticulture customers following season closure, MI intends to undertake a series of rostered supplies in line with demand and prevailing conditions. We will continue to communicate with the relevant industry groups to determine the most appropriate service and timing.

Selected channels will have water retained for town and village supplies. In order to maximise the impact of frost on weed control, and completing a program of capital works, MI will be draining channels during the winter shutdown period. Any water that remains after shutdown is available for consumptive use, subject to normal ordering and access rules, however MI makes no undertaking in respect of continued access under these conditions. Customers who consider they have special needs should contact Irrigation Services.

7 Mar 2008
- Cooperation on Murray Darling Basin a step closer

A new cooperative approach to managing the Murray Darling Basin is a step closer following a meeting of Water Ministers in Sydney today. In addition, Senator Wong demonstrated the Commonwealth's cooperative approach by making clear the Commonwealth would allow States to retain their rights to manage annual water allocations in accordance with the Basin cap. Read more