2020-21 marks the 30th anniversary of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (SIRLWMP)- a Plan established to direct strategic investment across the irrigated landscape of the Goulburn Broken catchment.
2020-21 marks the 30th anniversary of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (SIRLWMP)- a Plan established to direct strategic investment across the irrigated landscape of the Goulburn Broken catchment.
30 years done! Creating a resilient Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR) 1990 to 2020 records achievements, challenges and changes during those years.
SIR People and Planning Integration Committee chair Kelvin Bruce said the plan had been successful because it harnessed the right people and was based on sound science.
“We are proud that our farmers, communities and agencies have worked closely for so long to make large-scale and sensible on-ground changes,” Mr Bruce said.
He said ongoing partnerships had enabled the Plan to adapt to changing circumstances.
“The Plan’s focus broadened from salinity to include water quality, biodiversity, waterway management, water availability, climate change and community resilience.”
Looking forward to the next 30 years, Mr Bruce said there was plenty still to be achieved.
“Against a backdrop of climate change, we face ongoing challenges to save species and to ensure all our consumptive and environmental water users receive a fair share.”
Over the 30 years government investment of $650 million was more than matched by farmer and community contributions of $2 billion to implement over 300,000 hectares of on-ground actions through 7057 incentives.
Achievements recorded in 30 years done! include: 4456 whole farm plans covering 326,092 hectares; 81 gigalitres of water saved for agriculture and the environment through farm efficiencies; annual salt loads into Murray River reduced by 6500 tonnes; annual phosphorus loads from drains into river and streams reduced by over 60 tonnes; 737 kilometres of drains built; 52,847 hectares protected by groundwater pumps; 3567 reuse systems installed; 356 groundwater pumps installed; 1822 hectares of native vegetation fenced and 2078 hectares planted or direct seeded on private land and 330,801 hectares laser levelled.