Irrigation Futures of Goulburn-Broken (GBIF)

Through a participatory approach this project developed a vision for irrigation in the region, and options for the future.  In the first stage of the project four scenarios of how the future might unfold were developed.  G-MW invested $60K in-kind over 3 years.  In addition the NPSI/CRCIF invested $600K in the project over 4 years.

 

The second stage contributed to strategic plans being developed by G-MW, GBCMA and local government that will be robust across the four scenarios.  Examples of enhancement of  regional strategy development include:

 

G-MW Reconfiguration Strategy outcomes

  • Irrigation service level requirements – Products from the GBIF project have been included as part of atlases developed for the Strategic Overview of Service Needs (SVSN).  A key aspect of the SVSN is to provide information to the community on future trends to be considered as part of reconfiguration.
  • Flexibility of irrigation infrastructure - The GBIF scenarios highlighted that water availability may change significantly in the future and that there may be periods of rapid contraction and expansion of irrigation. As a result, there is a need to build flexibility into irrigation infrastructure so that it is adaptable to future demands. Flexibility may be achieved through innovative system configurations, flexible distribution technologies, a mix of infrastructure ownership, and improved management systems.  A product of the project is a ‘Handbook of Flexible Technologies for Irrigation Infrastructure'. The Handbook will be available to G-MW and other irrigation agencies in an electronic format suitable for use by design engineers.
 

CMA Regional Catchment Strategies outcomes

  • The GBIF project worked with G-MW, GBCMA and DPI staff and consultants to review the Regional Catchment Strategy. The outcome is the implementation of these recommendations within the works plans of the next 5 years.
  • A scenario process similar to the GBIF process is being used in the development of future subsurface drainage networks being implemented by the G-MW salinity unit in conjunction with catchment partners.

Local Government strategy outcomes.

The GBIF project worked with Local Government (CoGS, Moira and Campaspe), to convene a series of workshops that examined the implications of land-use changes on planning, service provision and economic development in the region.