MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION INVESTING $6 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE

23 April 2004

Murrumbidgee Irrigation Board recently approved expenditure of $6 Million to upgrade off-farm infrastructure that will greatly improve the efficiency of water delivery systems to horticultural areas in the MIA.

The upgrade program involves replacing open supply channels with high pressure pipes to deliver water to the farm gate. This technology based delivery system supports the high tech water efficient irrigation systems being used by many farmers in the region.

“This is a commitment to a full upgrade of the entire horticulture area of the MIA. $6 Million will upgrade the Yenda and Stanbridge areas as well as complete an optimised design of all horticulture areas in the MIA. This is the first step in a major upgrade process,” said Geoff Hipkins, Chief Executive of Murrumbidgee Irrigation. “Many irrigators in the MIA have been upgrading their on-farm infrastructure to systems that achieve higher standards in water use efficiency. This move will support their efforts and together we will achieve significant water savings while assisting irrigators to improve yields and produce a higher quality product.”

“The decision to move to a piped delivery system follows the success of the trials we ran in Hanwood last season. While we did experience some installation and product manufacturing problems with our suppliers, we are confident that those issues have now been resolved. The operational outcomes of the trials have demonstrated that the future belongs to the technology based pipleline system we are proposing for the horticultural areas of the MIA.”

The $6 million dollars allocated for the next stage of development includes pipeline infrastructure and three pump stations to supply the Yenda area, infrastructure and two pump stations for the proposed Stanbridge network and the completion of a planned design for the entire horticultural area for the MIA.

“By creating a design for all horticultural areas in the MIA we will be able to optimise the regional network ensuring efficiencies throughout the entire system. The implementation will then be governed by other factors such as the preparedness of irrigators,” continued Mr Hipkins.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation has paved the way for irrigators to permanently trade 3 megalitres per hectare to offset their on-farm upgrade costs.

“The new trade rules are designed to lessen the financial impact to farmers choosing to upgrade their irrigation systems. Our infrastructure upgrade program is driven by the need to be water efficient and provide leading edge service to our customers. It is imperative that we work with farmers to ensure we get the best outcomes for everybody.”

“Murrumbidgee Irrigation works consistently to improve water management with a view to achieving sustainability for irrigators in the MIA, related industries and local communities. Upgrading to the technology based pipeline infrastructure is simply another step in this direction.”

In addition to the water saving benefits that will be realised the project provides a boost to the economy of the MIA. Local contractors will be employed to complete aspects of the project and it is expected that there will be a number of on-farm upgrades as a result of the new infrastructure.

“Pipeline infrastructure is an emerging technology. The MIA will be among the leaders in the irrigation industry and the nation will be watching our progress,” concluded Mr Hipkins.