Community to play a key role in future of Pyramid-Boort irrigation
An extensive consultation program, now underway in the Pyramid-Boort Irrigation Area, is providing opportunities for the community to play an important role in the future of the region.
The consultation is part of the Pyramid-Boort Future Management Strategy, a major project aimed at securing the future of the region through the redesign of the irrigation network to improve both cost effectiveness and thus viability for both Goulburn-Murray Water and customers.
There has already been strong interest in the consultation process, with more than 120 irrigation customers attending five meetings over two days to discuss the project.
The Chair of the Pyramid-Boort Water Services Committee, John Nelson , said the project is important because it aims to develop strategies, in partnership with the community, to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability for the region from an economic, environmental, and social perspective.
""A key message to come out of the meetings was that maintaining the status quo is not an option and that the community had to accept that a significant reduction of assets is required if the irrigation industry is to remain viable in this region,"" Mr Nelson said.
""Pyramid-Boort customers are not in a position to fund the operation, maintenance, modernisation, and replacement of the area's significant irrigation infrastructure, and we need to find ways to significantly reduce our infrastructure while continuing to service all properties that can remain viable.""
""We must continue to do what we do now, but do it more efficiently with fewer assets and associated costs.""
Mr Nelson said the Water Services Committee has deferred maintenance throughout the current drought to reduce the pressure on price, but increases in maintenance can no longer be avoided.
""In addition to the maintenance needed, the system also needs to be brought up to modern standards, as it is now 80 years old and has had very few changes made to it in all that time,"" he said.
""Not only is it reaching the end of its useful life, it is also outdated and does not supply the service required by a modern irrigation enterprise.""
Mr Nelson said that the Future Management Strategy aims to reduce the current uncertainty about the region's future, which is hindering further development, and that he encourages customers to involve themselves in the project as it is rolled out.
""It is important that we have strong community leadership and ownership of this project as it is developed and the Water Services Committee encourages all customers to return the questionnaires recently sent to them to ensure all relevant issues and concerns are addressed.
The project has funding support from the State Government's White Paper initiative, and strong support from the Goulburn-Murray Water Board. Outcomes from this project are likely to be transferred to other irrigation areas to improve the overall value and benefits from irrigation through the northern Victorian region.
