Irrigator E-News 15 March 2010

15 March 2010

Allocation Information

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW), the resource manager for northern Victorian water systems, today announced increased allocations in the Murray, Goulburn, Broken and Bullarook systems and the first allocation in the Loddon system for the 2009/10 season. The Campaspe system seasonal allocation remained at zero.

The season allocation in the Murray system is 78% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS), which is an increase of 12% HRWS. The Goulburn system allocation is 69% HRWS, which is an increase of 9% HRWS. The Broken system received an increase of 7% HRWS to be 13% HRWS, and the Bullarook system allocation is up 4% HRWS to be 19% HRWS. The Loddon system seasonal allocation is now 3% HRWS.

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Update on flows from Northern Australia

It will take around 6-8 weeks for the flows resulting from recent rain events in northern Australia to reach the Murray. The interstate water sharing agreement will determine the flows available to Victoria and SA. The amount of water available to Victoria will be confirmed and reflected in the 1 April allocation announcement.

Have your say on future drainage strategies

Customers are invited to share their views on a sustainable drainage strategy for off farm drainage systems including sub surface drainage. The Department of Sustainabiliy and Environment is undertaking a consultation program as it develops the Victorian Irrigation Drainage Program: Draft Strategic Direction 2010-15. Customers can share their views with DSE through to 31 March 2010. To find out more visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/saving/farms/irrigation-drainage

Commonwealth opens second tender for water buyback

The Commonwealth Government is currently accepting applications from eligible sellers of water entitlements in the southern connected system of the Murray Darling Basin as part of its Environmental Water Buyback Program. The second of the three tenders will run from 9 March to 29 March 2010. Eligible sellers of water entitlements in the southern connected system of the Basin are invited to lodge applications in the March 2010 tender. Further information about the buyback program and application forms are available at Southern Basin Tender 2010

Blue Green Algae Update

The High Alert for Blue Green Algae (BGA) for the Murray River has been updated on the 12 March 2010 and now extends from Hume Dam to Swan Hill, including Lake Mulwala. However the BGA alert for the National Channel has been removed.

The response to the outbreak in the Murray River is overseen by the Murray Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (MRACC) which ensures a coordinated response across Murray states. For latest updates visit the MRACC website. The algae levels will continue to be monitored and updates will be provided via media and this website.

Click here to see the list of G-MW recommended BGA precautions.

Shepparton

If there are trees or branches or other debris in channels or drains, or damage to solar panels or other assets as a result of the recent storms please contact the G-MW Shepparton Office on phone 5832 9900. We are currently clearing channels to ensure supplies can be delivered over the autumn.

Central Goulburn

If access to WaterLine online or phone services are interrupted you can contact G-MW 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 1800 064 184 and you will be directed to the duty officer in Central Goulburn. During business hours you can also contact the Central Goulburn office on 03 58 335 705. Recent weather events interrupted many phone and internet services and this impacted on customers access to G-MW's WaterLine services.

These contact numbers appear in your G-MW WaterLine order book.

Rochester-Campaspe

Customers are encouraged to get their orders in early for the sub season. This will assist G-MW to ensure water can be delivered when and where it's needed as efficiently as possible.

To avoid overuse, make sure you have enough water in your Allocation Bank Account to meet your end of season irrigation plans.

Customers are reminded not to rely on channels for winter water requirements. You should ensure your on farm storage is prepared and of sufficient capacity to meet all your winter water requirements now.

Pyramid-Boort

With the recent rains demand has dropped from 1000ML early this week to 300ML. Orders are increasing again as irrigators are intending to follow on from the rainfall and we ask all customers to keep us informed of their intentions so we can minimise the impact of capacity constraints that may trigger the need for rationing.

Customers are encouraged to contact G-MW immediately if they see any leaks in channels. The pick up in demand has seen water put into channels that have been dry for some time and as a result we have seen an increase in leaks. Customer assistance can ensure we respond promptly and minimise any losses or damage. 

We are currently spraying the No.12 system through Canary Island which is extremely prone to Cat-tail weed outbreaks.  This weed can easily restrict flows. Dense sections of this weed growth have had to be removed with an excavator which is a more expensive option.

Contractors have commenced installing electromagnetic flow meters for NVIRP this week and will continue to do so over the next couple of weeks. 

Over the next fortnight local staff will undertake the second round of routine maintenance on the new flumegate regulators.

For your diary

17 March - A field day will be held at Jade Clymo's property, 565 Calivil Mail Road, Calivil, between 10am to 2pm, looking at the benefits of Soil Moisture Monitoring on lucerne production. 

G-MW operational staff will be on hand to discuss any operational and delivery issues along with Department of Primary Industries who will be explaining the Federal Government's On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program.  NVIRP staff will also be on hand to discuss local NVIRP projects

24 & 25 March - G-MW's Customer Reference Group and cropping staff from DPI will host informal sessions for irrigators across the area.  DPI will discuss current gross margins of a variety of crops along with the impact of the recent rain and the price of water on irrigators' cropping programs.  You can even put your own cropping figures into the available model to assist with your planning. 

Session times:

• Wednesday March 24th
  • 9am to 11am at Boort BRIC Centre
  • 2pm to 4pm at Yarrawalla Hall

• Thursday 25th March
  • 9am to 11am at Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall.

Murray Valley

Customers are reminded not to rely on channels as a source of water during the winter period. Please ensure you arrange for adequate on farm storage for all your winter water requirements. Even if your channel has retained water over winter in the past, current operational and maintenance requirements may result in all the water being moved out of your section of channel.

NVIRP will deliver a significant works program across the Murray Valley Area this winter.

Torrumbarry

The High Blue Green Algae Alert level for the National Channel has been removed with no alert level currently in place. For further information call the BGA Hotline on 03 5833 5758.

With the allocation now at 78% and reduced irrigation demand due to the recent rain, there is now more than 187,000 ML of allocation available for delivery in the remaining nine weeks of the irrigation season. This has the potential to require flows in excess of channel capacities and hence supply issues. Please place your water orders early to allow planning staff to accommodate your needs.

Customers are encouraged to contact G-MW immediately if they discover any leaks. Customer assistance can ensure we respond promptly and minimise any losses or damage. 

G-MW is undertaking maintenance works in the Torrumbarry Area at Semples Road Cohuna. The process will involve the refurbishment of existing banks, the rock armouring of channels and fencing off the completed works. There will be an increase in vehicle traffic in these areas during this works period.

Groundwater  

The Minister for Water has qualified rights to water for customers on the Campaspe Deep Lead Water Supply Protection Area which has seen the seasonal allocation increase to 65% from 50% of the groundwater licence entitlement. The Qualification will remain in place until 30 June 2010.

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