Central Goulburn
Size and Location
This Area covers 173,053 hectares (113,106 hectares irrigated) and is one of the largest irrigated areas in Northern Victoria. It extends south and westwards from the Goulburn River and includes the towns of Ardmona, Echuca Village, Girgarre, Kyabram, Lancaster, Merrigum, Mooroopna, Murchison, Stanhope, Tatura, Tongala, Undera and Wyuna.
Supply
More than 2,800 irrigated holdings are serviced in this Area, via the extensive network of distribution channels (1,460 km) and drains (882 km). Water Right in the Area totals 385,000 megalitres, supplied mainly from Lake Eildon which has a capacity of 3,334,158 megalitres.
Following its release from Lake Eildon, the water makes a two day journey along the Goulburn River to the major diversion point at Goulburn Weir near Nagambie. Water is diverted into the Cattanach and Stuart Murray Canals. The Cattanach Canal delivers water to Waranga Basin, which has a capacity of 432,360 megalitres.
Most Central Goulburn Area customers are serviced by the Central Goulburn Channels 1-8, but some are supplied via the Waranga Western Channel through the Central Goulburn number 9 channel. Along these channels are structures which help to regulate and monitor flows.
Irrigated Agriculture
A diverse range of irrigated agriculture can be found in Central Goulburn. Dairying is the most common enterprise along with cropping, grazing and horticulture (stone and pomme fruits). Central Goulburn's irrigation system plays an important role in the production of food for local requirements and for export, which contributes greatly to the nation's economy.
Water Ordering
Planners in the Tatura office co-ordinate the delivery of water orders placed on Goulburn-Murray Water's telephone ordering system (known as WaterLINE). One irrigator's finish time is a neighbour's start time.
Salinity – Significant lengths of new primary drains, community drains and groundwater pumps have been constructed under the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land & Water Management Plan. The investigation into the continuation of these works is ongoing.
Capital Remodelling
Refurbishment and replacement of assets in Central Goulburn are undertaken by a combined workforce comprising of Central Goulburn staff, Goulburn-Murray Water's construction unit and private contractors. These include road culverts, occupation crossings, replacement of channel regulators, installation of metered outlets, installation of drainage inlets general remodelling and Advances Maintenance Program (AMP) works.
Water Services Committee
The nine elected irrigators meet monthly to achieve, through local management, the broad business objectives set by the Board of Goulburn-Murray Water.
Customer participation in establishing customer service levels is encouraged. The continued development of the Customer Service Agreements will enable the Areas to provide agreed services and service standards at lowest cost.
