AUTOMATION is the key to the future according to Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI).
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The company said it was now taking “giant steps” towards this, after recently starting a program of modernisation works in the south-western part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area network.
The 2018 modernisation program forms part of the largest suite of works undertaken in the area in over 100 years, and takes the total investment by the federal government in the region, to support the implementation of the Basin Plan, to almost $348 million.
MI chief executive officer Brett Jones said the works are critical to enable the company to maximise the benefits of the projects already completed across the MIA.
“It will also support any future investment in the network,” he said.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reduce our operating costs, increase flow capacity and improve supply reliability.
“It is certainly an exciting time to be at the helm of Australia’s premier irrigation district. Our region is thriving and there is new investment everywhere you look.”
While some works are commencing in the current irrigation season, to complete the major works there will be an extended 2018 winter shutdown period for the south-western part of the network.
Areas impacted include the Sturt Canal and Benerembah channel systems, Warburn/Tabbita/Wah Wah districts, and Yanco village.
Mr Jones said despite the larger scale modernisation works this year, they will not be as noticeable as 2017, with no impact to town water supplies.
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“We are not conducting major works on the Main Canal system this year, however some sections may be drained to allow for annual maintenance and minor capital works,” he said.
MI general manager asset delivery, Jody Rudd, acknowledged last year's shutdown of the Main Canal was challenging, particularly for citrus growers whose fruit was more susceptible to frost damage because they were unable to water their trees at certain times.
“What we've learnt from that process is to work closer with our growers to identify the areas we need to keep water for winter watering,” he said.
“We've also invested in more pumps to push water around sites when need be, so we're confident we can better meet the needs of growers.”
Mr Jones said it could be anywhere between 200 to 300 people involved in the works, which includes local contractors.
“There's currently a large demand on contractors so we're probably looking at bringing some in from outside to supplement the local contingent,” he said.