Turtle

North and South find common salinity control issues

Friday 13 April, 2012
Irrigators and land managers from the Macalister Irrigation District in West Gippsland were recently hosted by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in a tour of northern Victoria to gain a better understanding of irrigation, drainage and salinity control methods in the region.

Irrigators and land managers from the Macalister Irrigation District in West Gippsland were recently hosted by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in a tour of northern Victoria to gain a better understanding of irrigation, drainage and salinity control methods in the region.

Like the Shepparton Irrigation Region, the Macalister Irrigation District is a gravity irrigation district and relies on upstream heads of water to move supply through the channels and pipes to the irrigation customers. Both irrigation regions face similar issues, such as rising groundwater and salinity. Opportunities to share information and technology applications are considered invaluable.

Becky van Baalen from Southern Rural Water said "It is reassuring to know that there are individuals in the industry willing to share their experience and knowledge as we all work towards positive outcomes for our regions".

This visit follows a successful visit to the Gippsland area in November 2010, by members of the Sustainable Irrigation Program's Groundwater and Salt Management Working Group (GSMWG), a sub-committee of the Goulburn Broken CMA. Ms van Baalens comments were supported by Roger Wrigley, Chairperson of the GSMWG. "These visits build strong working relationships that provide benefits for both regions now and into the future" he said.

Topics of interest included the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project channel modernisation, surface drainage, nutrient monitoring, salinity control activities and sub-surface drainage. While in the region, the group was shown a Public Groundwater Control Pump, a farm with a modernised irrigation system (funded through the Farm Water Program), a modernised supply channel system, and also a surface drain constructed to allow for the dual service of drainage and nearby environmental requirements of the landscape.

The visiting group included representatives from Southern Rural Water, the Wellington Community Salinity Group and the West Gippsland CMA. They met with community representatives from the GSMWG and staff of the
Goulburn Broken CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program, Goulburn-Murray Water, and Department of Sustainability and Environment.

The Groundwater and Salt Management Program is funded as part of the Goulburn Broken CMA Regional Catchment Strategy and is provided with support and funding from the Australian Government and Victorian Government. The project is delivered primarily through partnerships between Goulburn-Murray Water, Department of Primary Industries, Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, Goulburn Broken CMA, Local Government and the community.

Photo:  Carl Walters (centre) from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority explains the rationale behind the development of the Mosquito Main Drain

For more information contact the Goulburn Broken CMA on 5833 5360.

The Goulburn Broken CMA acknowledges and respects First Nations people and the deep connection they have with their land and waters.


We acknowledge the Yorta Yorta and Taungurung people and their ancestors/forbears as Traditional Owners of the land and waters in the Goulburn Broken Catchment (and beyond). We value our ongoing partnerships with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Land and Waters Council for the health of Country and its people.


We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Traditional Owners obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional lands and waters.

Shepparton
168 Welsford Street, PO Box 1752, Shepparton VIC 3630
T (03) 5822 7700
F (03) 5831 6254

Benalla
89 Sydney Road, PO Box 124, Benalla VIC 3672
T (03) 5822 7700

Yea
Shop 5/10 High Street, Yea VIC 3717
T (03) 5822 7700