Shepparton Irrigation Area
Size and LocationThe Shepparton Irrigation Area covers 81,750 hectares (51,000 hectares irrigated) in Northern Victoria.
This Area extends from about 25 km south of Shepparton to Nathalia and Invergordon in the north. It is bound by the East Goulburn Main Channel in the east, the Goulburn River in the west and the Broken and Nine Mile Creeks in the north.
Townships within the Area include Congupna, Tallygaroopna, Katandra West, Bunbartha, Shepparton East, Kialla, Kialla West and Shepparton.
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Supply system
Some 1,500 irrigated holdings are serviced in this Area, via a network of distribution channels (754 km) and drains (441 km) consisting of 3,374 outlets and several thousand structures.
Water Right in the Area totals 181,500 megalitres. Lake Eildon is the main water resource. 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 for the Shepparton Area is diverted into the 90 km East Goulburn Main Channel, which also supplies some water to the Broken/Nine Mile Creek system. Licensed diverters pump water from the Goulburn River, and bulk water from the system is also supplied to the Goulburn Valley Regional Water Authority for towns within the Area.
Irrigated agriculture
The Area's network of storages, distribution channels and drains plays an important role in the production of food for local consumption and for export, which contributes greatly to the Australian economy.
Dairying and horticulture (mostly stone fruit) are the most common irrigated enterprises in this Area. However, mixed cropping and grazing enterprises make up over half of the irrigated farms, with a significant number of them being 'hobby farms', especially close to Shepparton.
Environmental management issues
- High water tables especially throughout the horticultural holdings salinity
- Water quality
- Control of aquatic weeds (Arrowhead and Alligator Weed) and carp
Water Ordering
Planners in the Shepparton office coordinate the delivery of water orders placed on Goulburn-Murray Water's telephone ordering system (known as WaterLINE).
Water Services Committees
The eight 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.
