The northern Victorian consortium’s Farm Water Program, led by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA), has won the Australian Water Association (AWA) - Victorian Program Innovation Award and is now a finalist in the National Awards in Adelaide in 2015.
The Victorian AWA awards were held last Thursday 4 December 2014 at a luncheon in Melbourne. They aim to promote outstanding work by individuals and organisations in the water industry and recognise innovation and excellence in the technology, business and delivery of water projects.
Goulburn Broken CMA Chief Executive Officer Mr Chris Norman said the consortium was ecstatic about the win and it was an honour to have the program recognised. “It is a credit to the efforts of irrigators in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District and the various organisations in the consortium that administer the program,” he said.
“The Farm Water Program is delivering significant environmental and sustainability outcomes for our region and it is fantastic to see that recognised. The innovative nature of the program and real, cohesive partnerships are crucial to its success,” Mr Norman said.
The Farm Water Program currently rolls out the Victorian Farm Modernisation Project (VFMP) funding within the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. Over 130 projects are currently underway as part of Round 3 of the VFMP and a call for Round 4 projects is expected to occur in early 2015.
“The win was an added bonus to an already successful day for the Farm Water Program,” Mr Norman said. “At the same time we had representatives receiving the award, the Farm Water Program also held a successful farm walk in Tennyson. Almost 70 people attended the day which showcased irrigation technology on Round 2 participant Corey Mitchell’s dairy farm.”
“The efficiencies seen within the district and the water savings realised are an acknowledgement to the hardwork and dedication of local irrigators. Feedback from those with completed projects is that the investment has been well worthwhile and resulted in significant changes on-farm,” he added.
The Australian Government, Goulburn Broken CMA, North Central CMA, North East CMA, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Goulburn Murray Water, Dairy Australia, Murray Dairy and Northern Victorian Irrigators make up the consortium responsible for administering the Farm Water Program.
For further information, please contact Gillian Mason on 03 5822 7700 or 0401 336 014.