Irrigation Journal Spring 2011

Australia

Improved Technology Policy update

1

SPRING 2011 • Volume 26 No 03

In This issue:

www.irrigation.org.au

I RR

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Contents Features Policy Feature The National Water Initiative driving policy development

16

Delivering investment in irrigation infrastructure

19

Coalition policy update

21

Irrigation expands in Tasmania

22

More irrigation the key to the Ord’s future

24

Planning for a healthy working basin

28

Please, sir, I want some more

30

Improved Technology Feature Guide to self-cleaning filters

48

Technology key to modernised irrigation schemes

50

12

Regular Items Chairman's Report

4

CEO's Message

4

From The Editor

5

Irrigation Technology: Agriculture

8

Irrigation Technology: Urban

12

Around Industry

15

The Big Issue

26

IAL News

32

Smart Approved Watermark

37

Irrigation Research

38

Training And Professional Development

40

Business Feature

45

Npsi Irrigation Insights

46

Standards 51 State Roundup

52

Icid Insights 54 New Products And Features

ON THE FRONT COVER Bill Chilvers and Leanne Sherriff check soil structure in an irrigated pea crop in the Coal Valley, Tasmania.

Photographer M. Rae

56

24

54 Water saving technologies help nursery future

10 SPRING 2011

3

Welcome IRRIGATION AUSTRALIA IAL National office PO Box 863, Mascot NSW 1460 P (02) 8335 4000 F (02) 8335 4099

chairman’s REPORT

www.irrigation.org.au CEO Ian Atkinson

PUBLISHER www.commstrat.com.au SYDNEY Level 12, 99 Walker Street North Sydney NSW 2060 T (02) 8923 8000 F (02) 8923 8050 MELBOURNE Level 8, 574 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004 PO Box 84, Hampton Vic 3188 T (03) 8534 5000 F (03) 9530 8911

EDIRORIAL Editor: ANNE CURREY Creative Director: Timothy Hartridge Graphic Designer Odette Boulton

ADVERTISING Sales Director Brian Rault E brian.rault@halledit.com.au T (03) 8534 5014

Advertising Advertising in this journal is managed by Hallmark Editions on behalf of Irrigation Australia Limited. Irrigation Australia Limited takes no responsibility for the technical accuracy of article content. All contact with businesses and organisations about advertising is made by Hallmark Editions sales staff, who must identify themselves and the fact that they work for Hallmark Editions on behalf of the IAL. No special consideration will be given to any advertisers as far as editorial content or front cover material is concerned. Decisions about editorial content and the front cover are the prerogative of the editor and the National Board of the IAL. Advertising enquiries should be directed to the sales director.

4 4·

It will soon be time for our AGM and for board elections. With a couple of members standing aside this year, nothing would be more rewarding for me than to see a strong field of candidates vying for the vacancies.

Active competition for a seat on the board would be a sign that members are not only interested in IAL but keen to get the best possible mix of directors running it.

So what is involved in being a director of IAL? In addition to attending quarterly meetings, board members participate in off-line discussions on matters of strategy and policy. They also act as a sounding board for executive staff on irrigation issues about which they have knowledge. This may mean an in-depth discussion on a topic or simply a referral to another IAL member with expertise in the area.

There are, however, a number of additional responsibilities for board members as a result of being directors in a notfor-profit entity. These have their origin in company law.

Firstly, directors must act in good faith and with due care and diligence. IAL’s members must be able to take it on trust that directors will use the information they are given – information not available to members at large – to look after their best interests. This means ensuring the organisation remains solvent, that it works towards the objectives set down in our constitution and that it complies with all legal and common law obligations. Although day-to-day responsibility for making these things happen is delegated to the permanent staff, it is the board that is ultimately responsible for their success or failure in the eyes of the law.

To enable directors to meet the various obligations, they must separate themselves from the interests of the company, region, specialist group or area from which they come. This is probably the most important, yet hardest, task to perform. As chair, for instance, I would be doing the membership at large a great disservice if I only championed the interests of SA. We are often asked to think laterally and to break down the divisions between the functions we perform, but as a director it is important to erect barriers to keep things compartmentalised. This is an essential part of ensuring that we work for what is good for IAL (and hence the industry as a whole) rather than what is good for the individual or the company we work for.

Recent court cases have strengthened the obligations of company directors, especially in the area of financials.

Previously, directors could allow a finance sub-committee to take responsibility for analysing and reporting on the organisation’s performance. Now, all directors are expected to properly understand and question financial reports. This should not be seen as an onerous duty.

Rather it sets up a two-fold obligation: firstly, for directors to adequately review financial material and, secondly, for the board to ensure directors have the necessary skills to understand the material presented to them. This means that training for board members is just as important as training for IAL’s staff.

Another important task is regular review. The board’s December meeting is used as an opportunity to review progress towards our strategic plan – not just to tick off on achievements, but to check its relevance, adjust for changes in the operating environment and fine tune our objectives.

Each meeting opens with a director-only session, which gives directors a chance to talk about how IAL, the board and staff are performing, and closes with a formal meeting review where a board member examines our performance during the meeting. This year we also hope to introduce an annual review of directors to look at how each of us has performed and to identify any areas where we can increase our skills to better serve IAL. When you see the call for nominations have a look at the list of continuing and retiring directors. Consider the skills you can bring to the board and whether your name should be on the ballot paper. If there is someone else you feel should have a go, give them a tap on the shoulder.

But make sure you tell them why you think they should stand. The board is also very interested in attracting younger members to stand. This will help not just to broaden our age profile, but will also give them some very useful experience for their own career development.

If you want to find out more, give one of the current (or previous) directors a call to talk over their experiences.

Ultimately, the best prospects for IAL lie with the best possible board. And missing out in the ballot should not be seen as a loss, rather it should be taken as a healthy sign that the voice of the members has been heard.

Peter Toome IAL National Chairman

EditorIAL Welcome to the spring edition of Irrigation Australia.

As you leaf through the magazine, you

CEO Message

might notice that there is something different about its look. We’ve decided to give the format a bit of a “spring clean” as we’ve

Hello to all our members and friends. This is my first column in the journal and I’ve got to tell you I am really enjoying the early months in this job. I am also very conscious of the fact we need to demonstrate our value to members and deliver an organisation of which you can be proud. I firmly believe that this can be achieved by focussing on our strengths and aiming to do less things but doing them better!

Bring on the debates – no seriously!

Even in the two months since I joined I’ve come across a number of issues within the membership that deserve open and constructive debate. These are issues that arise partly because our membership is so broad, ranging from inner city to ‘back of Bourke’, small contractor to multi-national, research scientist to practising farmer, and everything in between.

I would like to see some serious but informed debate on issues of concern to our members, big and small, because that is part of a healthy democracy. One of the obvious places for this debate is in this magazine. So the challenge is for you to contact either me or the editor, Anne Currey, to discuss your idea then put pen to paper.

We won’t publish anything libellous or seriously damaging to industry interests but there is a still lot to discuss. To get the ball rolling I would pose the question “Under what circumstances should a certified irrigation designer lose their certification?”

New office in Mascot and staff changes

Yes, as you read this the IAL support office (note the new name, and please no more reference to head office) will be operating from premises in Mascot just a short distance from Sydney Airport. Hornsby just didn’t make sense anymore with me being based in Adelaide for the foreseeable future and the office so far from the airport.

If you are in the area please call on 02 8335 4000 to organise a visit, and if you are from out of town the team can probably even find a desk for you to work at should you have the need. Helen Horrigan decided not to move with us to Mascot and we wish her well for the future.

So we now welcome Jodie Porter to the team in the new position of member services and Trevor Le Breton is to be congratulated for finding a great new team member for the new office.

Strategic Plan for 2011-12

had the old design for quite a while. Our aim

If you are wondering where we are going this year then please see the article on page 26. Plans aren’t everything but as Sid Dyer remarked at the recent Brisbane meeting, “If you don’t plan then failure comes as a surprise”, and I don’t intend to fail.

in refreshing the magazine’s look mainly

Roles of CEO and GM

and are there any more changes you

With a new team being built to run your association it is appropriate to look at the roles of key staff so at the recent board meeting the split of responsibilities was decided.

My portfolio as CEO includes; industry development officers, special interest groups, advocacy, technical issues, research and development, organising and program committees for all conferences, ICID representation, regional chairs, and IAL representative on various boards and industry bodies.

Trevor Le Breton is now the general manager and his portfolio includes; company secretary, administration, finance, member services, professional development/ events, certification, marketing and communications, it&t, and conference and expos – sponsorship and marketing.

The IAL is fortunate in that it has a committed membership and a great team of staff. I’m sure we can look forward to a successful 2011-12 for your association.

would like to see incorporated? I would

has been to make it easier for you to read, hence the larger typeface. We also wanted to give it a more up-to-date look. What do you think? Do you prefer the new look

love to hear from you.

This issue has been a challenge to put together as for the last 3 months I have been on a volunteer assignment in Laos. It was a terrific experience and I met lots of amazing and inspiring people working in circumstances that at times are extremely hard. I came back to Australia with a new appreciation of how lucky we are here. Thanks to IAL for coping with the communications from afar and for being so encouraging.

While it might not be terribly exciting, water policy sets the context for irrigation, and as a result influences everyone from the manufacturing and service sector right through to the end user. In this edition we have a close look at policy in Australia, with articles

Ian Atkinson CEO

from the National Water Commission, MDBA, the Tasmanian Government and the Federal Government and Coalition.

New IAL CEO, Ian Atkinson gives an update on the IAL’s strategic plan and which activities will be given priority in the next 12 months.

We also learn a bit more about Ian in our Up Close column.

Of course, we have all the regular columns.

I have tried to source articles that are technically informative and relevant to our members. Thanks to all those authors who have contributed.

I hope you all enjoy this issue. If you are going to Irrigation Australia Conference at Launceston, say hello. I enjoy catching up with members and readers and getting feedback on how I can improve your magazine.

Anne Currey Editor in Chief

SPRING 2011

5

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Don’t keep it to yourself – write a letter to the editor and tell us what you think.

Irrigation Australia: Friend or Foe? After reading the Chairman’s Message in the Winter edition of IAL’s Journal (Vol 26), I had to reflect on whether IAL is a friend or foe. I say that because it’s my sense that the Mr Toome’s message would have given succour to a whole range of people who see irrigators as the enemy.

Mr Toome implies that delivery partners are only motivated by a desire to charge an admin fee; that only farmers with “a quick eye for a bargain” will seek to be included under the umbrella of the Private Irrigation Industry Operators Program (PIIOP) or the on-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program (OFIEFP); and that PIIOP and OFIEF funding is in effect a “hand-out”; nothing could be further from the truth.

Delivery partners accept significant contractual obligation and risk under the terms of the funding agreements they enter into with the Commonwealth and doing business with the Government is never easy.

The farmers involved in CICL’s PIIOP have all had to argue the merits of their on-farm projects with CICL and their bank managers, and in the context of their whole-farm plan, and many engaged the services of local agronomists to do so.

PIIOP and OFIEF are not handouts; the funding that accrues to the participants is conditional upon a return of water entitlement with specified ‘deliverables’ and adherence to detailed reporting requirements. But then again, Mr Toome would know all this.

Mr Toome’s real purpose is revealed in his last paragraph, and I have no problem with an argument for further funding in the areas of research, development, extension and adoption because water is not the sole input into even irrigated agriculture. I do, however, take exception to the chairman of IAL writing in a way that might undermine public confidence in hard-won programs and which implies that those that accepted the challenge of being delivery partners are in some way less local, less trustworthy and less interested in solutions than farm advisors (especially those certified by IAL).

In sum, at the very time the irrigation industry needs to be sending consistent messages to Government, the mixed signals in, and tone of, the Chairman’s Message are disappointing.

John Culleton Chief Executive, Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative Limited

We’d love to hear what you think about an issue in the irrigation industry – any issue. Send your letters to Anne Currey, editor of Irrigation Australia, email anne@naturallyresourceful.com.au

Where do you find Franklin Electric?

Orange groves.

Golf courses.

Dairy farms.

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Now more than ever, you can find Franklin products in places you never thought to look. Above and below ground, Franklin has water systems products for all sorts of agricultural and irrigation applications. When it comes to water, you’ll find us everywhere you look.

www.franklin-electric.com.au • 1300 FRANKLIN SPRING 2011

FE469

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TECHNOLOGY: Agriculture Water saving technologies help nursery future It’s often been said that while improved technology plays an important role in improving water use efficiency, just as important are systems designed to meet the needs of each particular situation, the skills of the manager and good irrigation practices.

The results of a recent project confirmed this The threat of drought and diminishing water reserves over the last decade has forced a closer look at the use and conservation of water around Australia. Water use efficiency became a major driver for change, both privately and commercially, across a variety of industries. Alternative water sources and investment in new technologies began to receive attention in the search for ways to save water.

Like many agricultural industries, the Australian nursery and garden industry, which suffered a downturn in business due to the drought and water restrictions, investigated options for saving water.

Nursery managers wanted to know how they could increase irrigation efficiency and reduce water use without losing production or increasing operating costs. It had been suggested that this was possible in some nurseries, which indicated an opportunity to investigate improving efficiency in irrigation systems and scheduling practices further.

A project completed in 2007 by the former Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries with funding from the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry National Landcare Program investigated retrofitting nursery irrigation systems with more efficient technology, and assessed the associated costs and potential financial and water savings.

production nurseries, with those reliant on potable town water saving more than $16,000 a year (see Table 1). One nursery reduced its town water use from 70 to 13%, cutting town water costs alone by $19,000 a year. Another nursery that didn’t depend on town water was faced with the prospect of running out of water, but was able to reduce irrigation by 27%, effectively securing enough water to continue production.

Before the retrofit, only 10% of growing areas met the nursery industry standards for irrigation efficiency. After the retrofit, all areas surpassed the industry standards. Increasing application uniformity and providing a consistent regulated application rate allowed for more precise irrigation scheduling, leading to drier growing areas, fewer plant deaths and reduced weed establishment.

The extent of savings was found to depend on a nursery’s water source and how inefficient the old irrigation system was. Importantly, it was not a particular piece of technology that provided the water savings; rather, the key to success was following the best management practice guidelines

Identifying where to make improvements Areas for possible improvement in a nursery can be identified by conducting a walk-through survey and assessing the irrigation system. The parameters that should be checked include application uniformity, flow rates, line pressures, lateral line spacing, sprinkler height above the crop, crop type, plant water requirements, water source and quality, and run-off collection capacity.

In some cases, minor upgrades can have a major impact on water use, such as replacing sprinklers to suit plant requirements or using pressure reduction valves. However, at some point, no amount of money spent on an old, ad-hoc system will improve irrigation efficiency. A complete re-design may be needed in these instances. The new irrigation system

Table 1: Effects of irrigation system retrofits for four production nurseries Assessment criterion

Nursery 1

Nursery 2

Nursery 3

Nursery 4

Water source

Town/dam

Dam

Town/bore

Town/dam/ bore/recycle

Retrofit investment

$77,594

$38,240

$78,196

$220,000

B/C ratio

3.2

1

2.8

3.7

Change in annual business profit

$24,070

$831

$16,375

$89,463

Water saved

9.4 ML (43%)

6.5 ML (27%)

4.4 ML (46%)

20.8 ML (37.5%)

Irrigation Co-efficient of

Scheduling

Mean application

system

uniformity (%)

co-efficient

rate (mm/hr)

> 85%

1 – 1.5

10 – 20 (system

Table 2: Change in irrigation application efficiencies

Industry standards

dependent)

Following industry standards the key to saving water

Nursery 1

It was found that as a result of retrofitting, the average water saving was between 27 and 46% in

Nursery 2

8

and principles as outlined by Nursery and Garden Industry Australia. In the course of the project, different technologies were combined to provide the most efficient irrigation system to suit each nursery’s requirements.

Old

47 – 82

2–7

6 – 13.1

New

86.5 – 95.9

1.1 – 1.4

8.6 – 10.7

Old

61.1 – 90.7

1.65 – 5

13.6 – 50.6

New

86.5 – 92.8

1 – 1.4

8.4 – 12.2

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SPRING 2011

9

TECHNOLOGY: Agriculture design should meet current production requirements and should have some capacity for future expansion.

Improving water use efficiencies through a properly designed irrigation system and matching irrigation scheduling with plant requirements can have a range of benefits. Direct financial savings can be made in relation to water use, electricity for pumping, fertilisers and chemicals. There may also be savings in labour from reducing the time needed for crop and nursery maintenance.

CSIRO Storms Decreasing autumn and winter rainfall over southern Australia has been attributed to a 50-year decrease in the average intensity of storms in the region – a trend which is forecast to continue for another 50 years, according to the CSIRO. These changes are due to reductions in the strength of the mid-latitude jet

Seeing is believing At the beginning of the project, one nursery manager was sceptical and did not believe substantial improvements could be achieved. However, by the end of the project, he was astounded by the benefits he could see.

Crop quality and uniformity noticeably improved, there were fewer dead plants, pests and diseases, and fewer herbicide and fungicide applications were necessary.

Before the retrofit, he was considering closing the Brisbane-based nursery and moving further north owing to the pressures of water restrictions and maintenance costs at that time. Now, the retrofit has provided a new life for his business and he intends to remain at his current location for many years to come.

The concept of water use efficiency may seem obsolete now with the recent floods and current water availability but we should not underestimate the unpredictability of the Australian climate. Nor should we forget that an efficient irrigation system and following best standards can return considerable savings and benefits beyond simple water conservation.

Information For more information contact David Hunt at email david.hunt@deedi.qld.gov. au, or download a report on the project from the NGIA website’s publication section at www.ngia.com.au

stream and changes in atmospheric The difference after assessing areas for improvement, retrofitting the nursery irrigation system and paying attention to best management practices can be seen in these before (above) and after photos. The “before” photo shows a lot of algae growth on the gravel due to over irrigation and poor drainage, and plants are dying. The “after” photo shows plants that are uniform and healthy, and growing beds that are tidy and clean.

temperatures. The jet stream comprises fast moving westerly winds in the upper atmosphere.

The CSIRO research, based on observations and climate modelling, centres on the changes in southern Australian winter rainfall linked to atmospheric circulation changes that are directly associated with storm formation, and particularly rain bearing lows and frontal systems crossing southern Australia.

It has identified the historic relationship between the reduction in the intensity of storms, the southward shift in storm tracks, changing atmospheric temperatures and reductions in mid-latitude

Retrofitting doesn’t just save water As well as saving water a number of other potential benefits were identified from retrofitting. These were: • The efficiencies gained by the new irrigation system allowed greater use of alternative water sources and much less use of town water.

• The significant water savings gained from the new irrigation system dramatically reduced the pressure on dams to supply the required water, which was particularly beneficial in recent dry climatic conditions.

• New irrigation systems provided an

even distribution of water, resulting in more uniformly grown plants, a decrease in the number of plant throw-outs and savings in variable costs and labour inputs.

• New irrigation systems required less water pressure, thus reducing wear on pumps and pipes and providing significant savings in electricity costs.

• The efficiencies gained resulted in a much drier plant area, which is likely to reduce conditions for disease.

• The drier plant areas provide a safer, more efficient working area for staff.

vertical wind shear affecting rainfall.

Vertical wind shear is the change in the westerly winds with height.

It expects that these trends will continue as atmospheric temperatures rise based on projections from climate models forced by increasing carbon dioxide concentrations.

The research results from collaboration between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO’s Dr Jorgen Frederiksen and Stacey Osbrough. It was conducted for the Australian Climate Change Science Program, funded through the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and for the Western Australian

David Hunt, Scientist (Water & Energy), Lifestyle Horticulture Products and Services, Department of Education,

Department of Environment and

Economic Development and Innovation, Cleveland Queensland

Conservation, under the Indian Ocean Climate Initiative.

10

SPRING 2011

11

TECHNOLOGY: URBAN Innovation and Integration of Water Systems in a Public Building

The Grove is a public building that features the latest in environmentally sensitive design features, including water-efficient fixtures and waterwise gardens and irrigation.

‘The Grove’ is an innovative public building project, jointly undertaken by the towns of Cottesloe and Mosman Park and the Shire of Peppermint Grove. The facility consists of a library, community learning centre and administration offices and incorporates a broad range of environmentally sensitive design (ESD) features, including climatesensitive building design, energy and water-efficient fixtures and fittings, renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting, the onsite treatment and reuse of wastewater and stormwater, and waterwise gardens and irrigation.

recycled timber features. Waterwise drip irrigation is used throughout the grounds and soil moisture sensors contribute to control the watering regime of plants, and the balance of wastewater and bore water used for irrigation.

Internal water consumption is reduced through the use of approved limited flow water fixtures and fittings, including waterless urinals. Rainwater will meet 100% of internal water demand, saving an estimated 730,000 L of mains water each year.

The rainwater harvesting system includes a range of above- and below-ground storage tanks to the capacity of 258 kL, symphonic guttering, Incorporating water automatic first flush diverters, micro filtration management into and UV disinfection for potable water and mains a complex project water backup. The smaller, steel aquaplate tanks It wasn’t an easy task to bring all these features (total 40 kL) in the basement will be drawn down together. The difficulty was that this project was the last due to their dual duty and contribution as part first public building in the Perth metropolitan area a thermal mass cooling of the building. to have rainwater supply for internal potable uses The design recognises that a public facility such (in a mains water serviced area) and onsite treatment as this one will have widely varying use patterns of wastewater (in a sewered area). It is also the first subject to events, seasons, and public and school in Australia to have yellow-water diversion for holidays. However, applying medium daily nutrient recovery via onsite fertigation. The water occupancy and based on the water-efficient fixtures system's design aims to reduce reliance on both that have been specified for the buildings, it is mains water and bore water, as well as to use nutrients estimated that mains water savings would increase within the landscape through appropriate plant to about 905 kL under a business-as-usual scenario selection and irrigation system design. where ‘standard’ water fixtures were being used Clever landscaping and garden design continues in the buildings. An automated back-up via scheme the building’s integration with the environment, water is provided should collected rainwater be including fruit trees, insect-attracting plants and insufficient and not meet demand.

12

Water for irrigation Wastewater is separated by stream (grey, brown and yellow) at the source to enable fit-for-purpose treatment based on the intended reuse. Greywater from the handbasins and showers is used to irrigate plantings in the children’s sensory garden via substrata dripline after sedimentation, filtration and disinfection with ozone. Brown water (toilets and kitchen sink sullage) is treated to a secondary standard through biological processes and applied to turf areas through subsurface drip irrigation.

Yellow water is collected from the male urinals (and from future urine collecting toilet bowls) and stored for use as fertiliser through controlled dosing of irrigation lines or wastewater pump out tanks.

By controlling the dosing rate of urine injection into the different pump tank systems, the amount of fertiliser/nutrients given to specific plant groups can be regulated.

Bore water is used to irrigate native planting areas and to supplement wastewater volumes based on building occupancy and seasonal plant water demands. It’s estimated that the wastewater system will reduce the draw on groundwater that would be used for irrigation by about 700,000 L each year.

Stormwater collects on site from a 20 ha catchment. A constructed reed bed and wetland system has been created to treat low and normal flows as well as first-flush peak stormwater flows to improve stormwater water quality before infiltration into the aquifer by reducing hydrocarbons and nutrients. The stormwater treatment system has been designed to create an aesthetically pleasing, functional and educational landscape feature that reflects the seasonality of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Water systems are monitored and controlled by a building monitoring system that can provide real-time reporting on water availability and use by source, soil moisture levels and on-site rainfall, along with information on other parameters of the performance of the building.

A dedicated computer monitors and runs all the integrated systems so designers can identify improvements and the public will be able to see the building’s energy and water use at a reception display.

Careful design and planning important The implementation of ESD features has been a remarkable success, and already the building and surrounds are seen as a benchmark for future green buildings and climate-sensitive and climateresponsive landscapes and irrigation.

For example, irrigation specialists often suggest that plants should get about 25 to 35 mm each week,

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TECHNOLOGY: URBAN but this has to be fine-tuned after consideration of local climate, evaporation rates, air temperature and water demand, i.e. crop factor. Irrigation demand can be calculated by considering all of these factors because, clearly, water demand by turf in summer in Perth is far greater than native plants during winter.

Using these types of calculations, a thorough and meticulous watering plan was developed. The Grove landscape also has plants grouped with similar water demand and the irrigation schedule adjusted to reflect seasonal change. To ensure over watering doesn’t occur, an electronic rain gauge is used to stop bore use during rainy periods, and even this can be adjusted to delay irrigation for one to seven days.

The turf (lawn) area was split into subzones of about 90 to 100 m2 to enable best practice watering. Frequent, underwatering of lawn can result in shallow-rooted, weak, poorly established plants. It also encourages irrigation “dependency�, poor drought tolerance, fungal disease, increased evaporative losses and salt accumulation at the surface. The optimum water regime for plants is at least a 10 mm application at any one time, and this practice was followed when determining the run times for stations.

In a similar way, greywater use for exotics is split into four zones, each about 60 m2. Making irrigations as deep and infrequent as possible will maximise rooting depth and evapotranspiration.

Key lessons There have been many lessons learnt in this project, e.g. it is essential to collect reliable data to ensure optimum water regimes, and how often to use the bore to top up the brown and greywater systems.

Maintenance is another key issue. The regular cleaning and checking of pumps, filters, flush valves, tank systems, ozone generation, UV filtration, and the desludging of tanks and firstflush devices would seem overwhelming to some, but extremely necessary to stop malfunction of complex systems. In addition to servicing, replacing some components is also necessary.

Every year UV lamps, ozone lamps and tech filters need replacing, and if, for some reason, pumps failed then their replacement adds further costs which need to be factored whenever these types of projects are instigated. To validate system function regular monitoring and testing of water

quality is crucial. Indeed, thousands of dollars must be spent each year on water testing to ensure public safety. Regulatory compliance can be frustrating. Outdated regulations about rainwater use, wastewater recycling, and the rigorous regime of testing and reporting that is required prohibit many more schemes being adopted.

To achieve maximum water efficiency and water conservation on this site it is necessary to maximise the use of rainwater and recycled water. This has led to the preparation of both an Alternative Water Quality Management Plan (AWQMP) and a Recycled Water Quality Management Plan (RWQMP) with an emphasis on urine separation and use for fertigation. In the meantime, a vigorous and thorough sampling program will establish benchmarks until consistency of satisfactory performance is achieved and demonstrated.

The integration of this suite of innovative water systems within one building represents a first in WA and complements the many other sustainable environmental technologies that have been incorporated into this groundbreaking project.

Note. This abstract is from a paper presented at Irrigation Australia Conference 2011, Launceston

Dr Ross Mars, Water Installations, Mundaring WA and Josh Byrne, Dr Stewart Dallas and Dr Martin Anda, Byrne and Associates, Fremantle WA

Onsite wastewater tanks. Wastewater is separated by stream (grey, brown and yellow) at the source to enable fit-for-purpose treatment based on the intended reuse.

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AROUND INDUSTRY Staff changes And Awards

Newly promoted managers at Toro Irrigation (left to right); Patrick O’Shannessy, Chris Linklater-Williams, Michael Lenehan, Chris Simpson and Geoff Allen.

Changes to Toro Irrigation Leadership Team Toro Australia has made some recent staff changes to its Irrigation Business. Geoff Allen has been promoted to the newly formed role of National Sales Manager Irrigation. Geoff started at Toro in 2002 as a Territory Manager in SA, and then progressed to become the regional manager for SA in 2004, covering the ag, turf and golf markets.

All Toro regional managers and customer service will report to Geoff.

Chris Simpson is the new regional manager for SA. Chris started with Toro in 2001 as a territory manager supporting irrigation dealers in SA and Sunraysia for residential and commercial products.

In the past 6 years Chris’s role has expanded into agricultural markets.

Chris Linklater–Williams is now the new regional manager for Victoria and Tasmania. Chris started with Toro more than 14 years ago, and has looked after the golf and commercial markets in WA and the NT. Chris will be relocating to Victoria from WA in the near future.

Michael Lenehan, who started working for Toro Irrigation nearly 13 years ago as a territory manager, has been promoted to the role of regional manager for NSW. Patrick O’Shannessy has been with Toro for 18 years and in that time has progressed through the ranks from large turf representative to golf and specification manager and regional manager. He will take on an expanded role as national golf and specification manager, supporting the (large) turf and golf markets.

Toro’s Director, Tim Emery, said the changes are part of Toro’s commitment to continuous improvement and will help the company in streamlining its business and improving service to customers.

Sentek wins Water Industry Alliance “Proven Exporter” award The Water Industry Alliance recently held their annual awards to recognise six of the best companies and achievers in creating innovative water solutions.

Congratulations to Sentek Technologies, which was awarded with the "Proven Exporter" award for the ongoing development of their export business.

Sentek Technologies was a stand-out from the impressive group of leading water technology companies. The judges noted that "the growth in Sentek's export market is truly remarkable given the strength of the Australian dollar. Their ongoing achievement demonstrates the benefits of their export strategy being an integrated part of their business strategy".

Proudly South Australian, Sentek Technologies has been providing precision monitoring solutions to help users manage their water more effectively for the past 20 years.

New CEO for Nubian Water Systems Australian-owned sustainable water solutions provider, Nubian, has just announced the appointment of Barry Porter to the role of CEO.

Barry has a diverse background in business and a wealth of leadership experience, having defined and led successful performance transformations across industry sectors, including financial and professional services, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), and retail and technology companies.

His priority will be to raise the company’s profile in the water sustainability solutions arena focusing on Nubian’s innovative technology and delivery to capture market share.

Chairman of Nubian, Gary Zamel said that Barry will be responsible for cementing the company’s footprint in Australia and expanding its global presence, where it is already delivering solutions to the Middle East and is about to enter the North American market.

"This is an exciting period for Nubian,” said Barry. “We are dedicated to providing sustainable water solutions for the urban environment, not only through our leading greywater treatment, but also through our innovative water purification, quality monitoring and remote management technology.”

The 2003 UN World Water Development Report estimates by 2023 the quantity of water available will have decreased by 30%. The key factor impacting this trend is urbanisation.

Nubian is determined to combat this process through the manufacture and implementation of organic treatment systems using chemical free products.

Barry Porter takes over as CEO at Nubian Water Systems

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Policy feature The National Water Initiative driving policy development The implementation since 2004 of Australia's blueprint for water reform, the National Water Initiative (NWI), has brought very real benefits to the Australian community and has driven the development of innovative policy to improve how Australia measures, monitors and manages its water resources.

The NationaL Water Commission’s role is to help implement the NWI and make practical and intellectual contributions to assist Australia’s water reform progress.

Australia’s water markets Water trading has given Australia's irrigators much needed options, not only in difficult conditions but to manage their businesses over the long term. Water markets are now seen as one of the success stories of water reform in Australia. The continued growth in trading reflects the fact that water trade delivers real benefits to individual water users, water-dependent industries, and the environment.

The NWC is committed to the continuing development of our world leading water markets and has reported on market activity since 2007 in its annual Australian Water Markets report. These reports demonstrate the growth in our trade volumes, including over 100% growth in entitlement trade and over 50% growth in allocation trade from 2007-08 to 2009-10. The combined

value of Australia’s water markets was estimated at $3 billion in 2009-10.

In June this year the commission released Australian water markets; trends and drivers 2007-08 to 2009-10.

The report analyses trends in market activity (how much water is being traded and where), as well as the drivers influencing market outcomes (why water is being traded).

It demonstrates the links between water availability and water allocation trade, and how water availability influences prices over time. The report also discusses how different types of agriculture drive trading; some crops have greater year-to-year flexibility in their water requirements while others have water demands that must be met each year. These characteristics drive regional patterns of trade, including the direction of inter-valley trade, especially during dry years. In dry years, water users with more flexible water needs can realise the value of their allocations by selling them to areas with less flexible water needs.

While there has been great success in the development of water markets in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), the commission believes there is

further scope to extend the benefits of trading. This can be achieved by improving the efficient operation of existing markets and implementing effective water management arrangements and prerequisites for markets in areas where they don’t yet exist.

In support of this, the NWC investigated a range of issues that may be impeding the operation or development of water markets in its recently released Strengthening Australia’s water markets report. If acted upon, the recommendations in the report should open up greater access to the benefits of trading, improve market performance, and allow for future growth.

In many areas of Australia, demand for groundwater now exceeds sustainable supply rates.

The Framework for managing and developing groundwater trading report sets out a framework to provide a structure to establish or develop groundwater markets in a range of situations.

The report found that the trade in groundwater entitlement represents about 5% of all water

Irrigation Australia Conference & Exhibition 2012 24-29 June 2012

Diary date 2012

The 2012 Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre 24-29 June. It will be the single largest irrigation event ever staged in Australia as it will be combined with: • ICID 63rd International Executive Council and Meeting • 7th Asian Regional Conference

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CONTRACTORS CORNER entitlement traded in Australia and groundwater allocation trades account for approximately 10% of all allocation traded. There is a high degree of variation in both groundwater trading activity and approaches to groundwater trading management – with variation occurring both within and between jurisdictions.

Adoption of the framework will result in more thorough groundwater planning processes, efficient distribution of groundwater access, effective management of third-party impacts of extraction and improved productivity of waterdependent industries.

Urban water in Australia: future directions The NWC has also examined urban water issues and called for Australian governments to consider new directions to reinvigorate the way we manage water in our cities and towns in its Urban water in Australia: future directions report.

Even though drought has eased in many parts of the country, Australia's urban water industry still faces significant challenges, including climate variability, population growth, rising costs, and ageing network infrastructure.

Incentives are needed to encourage utilities to invest not only in securing water supply, but also in more innovative, cost-effective and fit-for-purpose services. This includes distribution networks and the treatment of water, wastewater and stormwater.

It is now time for Australia's governments to step back from direct intervention in urban water and give the industry incentives and freedom to innovate. Reform is also urgently needed to ensure acceptable standards of water and sewerage services for customers in some regional areas.

The commission has urged the Council of Australian Governments to develop a new set of urban

water objectives that will provide national leadership for urban water management.

It is critical to ensure Australia's water sector maintains its strong record in delivering safe drinking water to our towns and cities. The Review of urban water quality regulation in Australia report finds that Australians continue to benefit from high standards of water quality management and the urban water sector has in place a solid regulatory platform for managing the risks to our existing supplies.

However, given the complex changes affecting urban water supplies and associated implications for ensuring water quality, it is time to look at improving our regulatory approaches.

Recent advances in science and technology and today's more diversified water sources are presenting new challenges to water quality regulation and management.

The report presents three reform options to improve our regulatory arrangements for urban water quality. Together with three supporting technical reports, this review was developed to inform debate and contribute to future reform efforts.

Position statements The NWC also provides leadership on pressing water reform issues by publishing position statements on critical issues. Recent statements have covered issues including coal seam gas, urban water recycling, interception, mining and sustainable levels of extraction.

The benefits of green spaces If you ever have trouble convincing your clients about the benefits of a having lawns and gardens, maintained using a well designed irrigation system, then here’s a comprehensive list to help you.

Cooling Eight average front lawns have the cooling effect of 63.5 tonnes of air conditioning. As overwatering is a much bigger problem than underwatering, automatic irrigation systems, where possible, should be considered for the most efficient watering rates.

Cleaning Properly maintained shrubs, plants, and lawns are environmental heroes. Because of their filtering capability, plantings prevent soil erosion, filter contaminants from rainwater, and absorb dust and soot.

Saving money Planting shade trees lowers attic temperatures by as much as 4.5°C, and landscaping helps reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50%.

Increasing home value Not only can a well-maintained landscape add up to 15% to a property’s value, but landscaping can speed the sale by as much as six weeks when selling a home.

Reducing noise Landscaping can reduce noise by up to 50%.

Healing Horticulture is therapeutic and improves quality of life.

Studies illustrate that hospital patients whose rooms overlook landscapes recover faster and require less pain medication than patients without a view of nature.

Increasing air quality A tree removes carbon dioxide from the air and releases enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe

All National Water Commission reports and position statements are available at www.nwc.gov.au.

for a day.

Source. Hunter Industries website www.hunterindustries.com

SPRING 2011

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Policy feature Delivering investment in irrigation infrastructure I am proud that the Gillard government is rolling out the largest investment in Australia’s irrigation infrastructure since the middle of last century.

The Australian Government’s Water for the Future program is now well under way. Substantial progress has been made – establishing new standards and ways of doing business in the water sector, enhancing agricultural productivity and preparing for a future with a more variable water supply.

A major focus for the Australian Government on water reform is the Murray-Darling Basin. We are committed to delivering a plan for the MurrayDarling Basin that restores our rivers to health, supports strong regional communities and ensures continued food production.

The scale of reforms underway and the challenges ahead are reflected in the unprecedented level of funding committed to rural water infrastructure initiatives in the basin.

Commonwealth and state governments are working together to identify and build fit-forpurpose water-saving infrastructure. The Commonwealth has committed $4.8 billion to infrastructure projects in the basin, many now well advanced in their implementation.

In Queensland, the $115 million Healthy Headwaters on-farm irrigation investment program is underway with $28 million agreed so far for farm irrigation upgrades. A further $20 million for new projects is expected to be committed by the end of 2011.

In NSW, over $260 million has already been signed in contracts under the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program. A further $375 million is available and applications are now being assessed by my department. I have also approved funding of $358 million for NSW-led

metering and stock and domestic pipeline state priority projects.

In December last year, I announced approval of $953 million for stage 2 of the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project. Funding agreement negotiations are still underway with Victoria and I am hopeful that early resolution of remaining matters will soon allow works to get underway on delivery system works and irrigation connections.

Construction is well advanced on projects agreed under the first round of the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program in SA. A second round of nearly $12 million has also been recently announced. New supply pipelines have been built at a cost of almost $120 million, which enable delivery of potable water to communities around the Lower Lakes as well as irrigation water for over 7000 ha of premium vineyards. Work is also progressing under an $86 million Riverine Recovery Project in SA to achieve more effective and efficient management of environmental water in the Murray River.

I am working on arrangements with my state water minister colleagues from NSW, Victoria, SA, Queensland and ACT to speed the delivery of further priority infrastructure projects and I am hopeful these arrangements can be announced soon.

Across the southern Murray-Darling Basin, the $300 million On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program is working with local delivery partners to help hundreds of farmers make changes to improve their irrigation water efficiency. On-ground works on more than 350 irrigated farms are underway and there are another 600 farm projects in the pipeline. This has been an enormous effort by industry bodies, catchment management authorities and others across the southern basin and I want to record my appreciation for their enthusiasm and commitment to this program.

Outside the Murray-Darling Basin, the government is also investing in major water infrastructure projects.

In WA, a major project to replace inefficient open channels with pipelines in the Harvey irrigation district is now complete and a new supply pipeline for the Carnarvon irrigation district is well advanced.

In Tasmania, we have committed $140 million for up to a dozen new irrigation schemes assisted with substantial funding from industry and $80 million from the Tasmanian Government.

Australian Irrigation a world leader This industry has a bright future. Regardless of what happens with the big reforms, the pathway for irrigation will continue to be what it’s been for generations. Australia’s farmers are among the most innovative and productive in the world. Combined with the Commonwealth’s investments, every year the industry will become more efficient, and every year productivity will improve.

We have a world leading irrigation industry in Australia and anyone who thinks it can’t withstand water reform seriously underestimates the ingenuity of Australia’s irrigators.

The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Australian Government Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

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Policy feature Coalition policy update In June this year, a group of politicians in the House of Representatives released a bipartisan report on the Murray-Darling. Labor, National, Liberal and Independent members all signed off on the recommendations.

The most amazing thing about this consensus was the damning assessment they all came to on the Labor government's management of the Murray-Darling issue, heavily criticising the Labor government's department: The Committee heard of grave mistrust of this department across Basin communities resulting from the failure of the department to identify and respond to community concerns on a range of issues. In addition, this department has demonstrated a consistent failure to deliver water programs, including strategic water buyback, which is in the best interests of productive communities. This department should no longer be responsible for delivering these programs.

Not long after the release of this report, a Senate inquiry into the Water Act found that the government should immediately convene a panel of legal experts to recommend amendments to fix the unequal weight the act currently gives to the environment relative to economic and social factors.

At present, there would appear to be no scope for the MDBA to reduce cuts to water use below an environmentally sustainable level of take based on social, economic or any other considerations.

Ultimately, a plan that is not based on community-wide values about tradeoffs between economic, social and environmental factors will struggle to gain widespread acceptance.

The government now argues that things will be different with the release of the draft Basin Plan. But how can they credibly claim this when they are ignoring the recommendations of two Parliamentary inquiries, one of which they set up?

The government has only accepted one of the House of Representatives committee's findings and refuses to even consider amending the Water Act. Indeed, the government seems to be doing all the same things that led to a virtual riot in the basin last year. There is a talk of taking 2800 GL of water away from consumptive use in the basin (which seems little different from the 3000 GL proposed last October), the government is continuing its nonstrategic buyback of water, it looks like the MDBA plans to conduct consultation on an "invitation only" basis, and the government has failed to spend money on the water-saving infrastructure that could deliver extra water to irrigators and the environment.

Every year the government has spent more on water buybacks than planned and less on infrastructure than hoped for. So far, the government is $700 million ahead on water buybacks and $350 million behind on water infrastructure compared to the original Water for the Future plan.

Instead of trying to shut down a productive and vital industry of this nation, the government needs to do more to support our irrigators and to recognise the crucial role they play in our economy.

Australia's farming sector plays a vital role in doing that, representing a fifth of our exports. A Coalition government would reinvest in the areas where we as a nation make our money, produce our food and create most of our wealth.

That is why the Coalition has established a dam’s task group to open up new areas where we can produce more food. This work will build on the Coalition's $500 million commitment at the last election to invest in new ways of securing future water supplies.

Australia has failed to properly invest in dams over the past 20 years. The last major dam Australia built was the Peter Faust Dam in 1990.

In 1980 we could store in dams about 4.5 ML per person. Now the figure is just over 3.5 ML. By 2050, if we don't build any more dams, it will be below 2.5 ML per person.

What Australia has lacked is the vision to develop our water resources for the benefit of the people who live here, for the benefit of our nation as a whole and for the benefit of those who are hungry and need to be fed all over the world.

Instead, what Australia has in fact been doing of late is to take Australia out of the agricultural market by locking up wild rivers, imposing inflexible native vegetation laws, banning the live export of cattle and providing tax concessions to plant forests where there used to be livestock and crops. Very handy if we are going to evolve into a higher form of termite but not much use if we want to prevent Australia from becoming a net importer of food.

The result of this is that in 1980 Australia had 496 million ha of farming land. In 2010 we have 399 million ha.

The most positive activity someone can commit to is producing food for others. The Coalition is committed to helping the food producing parts of our nation so that they continue to provide enough food for Australians and also for millions overseas.

Senator Barnaby Joyce LNP Senator for Queensland, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate.

ProWater Nationwide are your local water experts ProWater Nationwide members provide expertise, products and equipment for efficient water use and retention across domestic, agricultural, horticultural, commercial, industrial and mining sectors.

To find your local ProWater Nationwide member go to www.prowaternationwide.com.au

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Policy feature IRRIGATION EXPANDS IN TASMANIA

Significant projects such as those we are progressing come with a number of environmental, financial, economic and social considerations.

In working up the schemes, Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd thoroughly assesses each of these factors and works closely with the local communities.

Sustainability important Hon Bryan Green MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Water, Tasmania, at the Headquarters Road dam site in Tasmania’s north-east. Construction work on this dam has now been completed.

In Tasmania we have a long history of managing and using our water resources sustainably, both in agriculture and for the production of renewable energy from our network of hydro electric schemes.

Tasmania is in a unique position to take Tasmania is the renewable energy powerhouse advantage of its natural water resources. We have an of Australia and we are applying that same level abundance of water and as a government recognise of commitment and expertise in our approach to the benefits of moving it to places where it can create irrigation development. the most wealth.

There is no doubt we are well placed to capitalise Our beautiful island state represents just 1% on the benefits irrigation will deliver to rural of Australia’s landmass yet we receive 13% of the communities and the economy generally. country’s annual rainfall.

At the same time, we do not underestimate While we confront the challenges of climate change the value of our plentiful water resources and will and see water supply problems of the kind experienced continue working with all stakeholders to improve in the Murray-Darling region, research indicates the future water use and management. impacts on productive farming land in Tasmania will All irrigation schemes must pass the sustainability be less than anywhere in the nation. This presents test and are subject to rigorous assessment under great opportunities for our primary industries. the Federal Government’s Environment Protection The Tasmanian brand is already recognised around and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Typically, for a the world as a symbol of quality built on our clean project to get the green light water sales must reach green image. However, crucial to realising our full a threshold of around 70% of the scheme’s capacity. potential is the expansion of Tasmania’s irrigation For schemes proposed to date the cost of water system. That’s why developing major irrigation has ranged from $1100 to $1200/ML with water infrastructure is a key priority for the Tasmanian surety of at least 95%.

Government. We are acting now for the future.

The state and federal funding contribution only The Tasmanian and Australian governments are applies to capital costs with the operating costs of working with the private sector to deliver a $400 the schemes expected to be fully met by levies on million water development strategy which is seeing the holders of water entitlements. major schemes rolled out around Tasmania.

Irrigation development This partnership sees all parties aligning to support and invest in regionally significant irrigation projects, on track The first major scheme under Tasmania’s irrigation and it is supported by a dedicated organisation development strategy was completed earlier this that has the skills, expertise and drive required to year and another two are nearing completion. There successfully undertake this important task.

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are a further ten projects currently being progressed around state, including the Midlands Irrigation Scheme, the largest irrigation project to ever be undertaken in Tasmania. It will deliver up to 47,500 ML of water to almost 350 farms covering an irrigable area of over 70,000 ha.

It has the potential to transform the Midlands into a major food production area in the same way the Coal River Valley in Southern Tasmania has developed following the construction of the Craigbourne Dam. The Midlands scheme is estimated to cost close to $90 million to build and is the centrepiece of the government’s irrigation development strategy.

Critical to the success of this scheme and all others is farmers signing up to buy the water that will be delivered. And, not surprisingly, the interest from farmers has been very encouraging so far.

Work is expected to begin early next year with a two-year construction phase.

So, what we are seeing in Tasmania is a oncein-a-generation investment in new irrigation infrastructure that will sustain growth and jobs in the agricultural sector for decades to come. We have seen the value of food production in our state grow by almost $1 billion over the past decade and providing greater water surety will not only underpin existing production but enable farmers to expand and diversify.

We also expect to see dramatic growth in high value agribusinesses like dairy, red meat, aquaculture and innovative horticulture.

The Tasmanian Government is supporting farmers through various programs to help them make informed choices about producing high-value food and agricultural products.

I believe Tasmania can play a significant role in Australia’s future food supply and that will be enhanced by the ongoing development of our water resources and sustainable irrigation.

Hon. Bryan Green MP, Minister for Energy and Water, Tasmania

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Policy feature More irrigation the key to the Ord’s future Two water providers to service the Ord

Construction of pipelines to the new irrigation area

There’s rarely a dull moment in the water industry and the Ord Irrigation Area is no exception. Despite its arguably diminutive size of only 15,000 ha, the area punches above its weight and is often prominent on the political agenda, being either pilloried or praised, depending on your political perspective.

Currently, the irrigation sector is enjoying a miniboom with the WA government committing $220 million to expand the irrigated area by an initial 7700 ha, with the potential for an additional 25,000 ha to come on stream after that.

The state’s investment has almost been matched by the Commonwealth, which has pledged $190 million to improve social outcomes by upgraded schools, medical facilities, employment and training, and general social amenity. There is a strong focus on improving outcomes for the local indigenous population, which has waived its Native Title rights for a share in the benefits of economic development. The whole initiative is underpinned by expanding irrigated agriculture in the region.

Irrigation expansion the key to the future The irrigation area is serviced by the Ord Irrigation Cooperative, which has provided bulk water to its members and customers since 1996 when operations were transferred from government.

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This was one of three irrigation cooperatives created in WA as an initiative of the COAG water reform process. After the transfer of irrigation assets in 2002, the cooperative benefitted from a state government subsidy that recognised the poor condition of the assets and the significant financial losses the government incurred in running the system. The subsidy phase is now finished and local irrigators pay the real costs of water provision, thus achieving another target of the National Water Initiative – lower band pricing.

The expansion of the irrigation area has been long awaited and may provide an opportunity for new industries to establish. Currently almost half the irrigated farmlands are sandalwood plantations, mainly funded through managed investment schemes. Their 15-year life cycle means that there is little flexibility to embrace new cropping opportunities such as chia, rice, cotton and the possible return of sugar. Sugar, cotton and rice all require significant area to justify the necessary capital investment in processing infrastructure, and to benefit from economies of scale.

Just as cropping industries benefit from economies of scale, so do water service providers. However, by a quirk of government decision making, the long established Ord Irrigation Cooperative will not be the water service provider in the expanded irrigation area. Rather, SunWater will have that role while the cooperative retains its existing operating area. The two entities will share the main irrigation supply channel to a certain point, after which SunWater will control the distant channel sections. Arguably, both water service providers will be too small to be truly economically efficient.

What applies in the east won’t necessarily work in the west Irrigators in the Ord are keeping a watchful eye on the trend to measure every drop of water in the Murray Darling Basin with some trepidation.

While most of the reforms accruing from the Water Act 2007 and the ACCC’s determinations have applicability to the basin only, such reforms have a habit of spreading across the country and could eventually impose significant and unnecessary cost burdens on relatively small entities.

Measuring and “saving” water makes sense in areas where water is scarce and there is a market for the savings. However, consider the circumstances of the Ord. The cooperative has a license entitlement of 335 GL/year, which represents about 3% of Lake Argyle storage. Looking at it in another way, the annual entitlement is equivalent to about 15% of the Lake Argyle releases for hydro power that are flowing past the cooperative’s channel offtake. With the Lake Argyle storage level currently sitting at 13,597 GL (127%), a market for water savings looks a long way off !

The cooperative strives for high levels of water delivery efficiency and achieves about 80% efficiency through its open channel system.

To achieve a much higher level of efficiency would require a very large investment in modernised channel infrastructure. While we look on with some envy at the expenditure on modernisation, particularly in Victoria, it simply

cannot be justified in areas such as the Ord where the abundance of water means there is no water trading and no market for “savings”.

That’s not to say that we wouldn’t like to have access to Commonwealth funds to undertake our own modernisation!

Overall, irrigation at the Ord is undergoing a major expansion with both the state and Commonwealth governments leading the way with combined expenditure of $410 million over four years. This will establish not only the roads and irrigation headworks, but also the social infrastructure necessary to forge a vibrant and empowered community into the future. In the east Kimberley, the government has demonstrated its confidence in irrigated agriculture’s role in

Access to water isn’t really an issue for irrigators on the Ord. Ord Irrigation has a license entitlement equivalent to 3% of Lake Argyle’s storage.

future prosperity and it is now time for private investment to embrace the opportunity to roll out future expansion.

Geoff Strickland, CEO, Ord Irrigation Cooperative, Kununurra

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Policy feature PLANNING FOR A HEALTHY WORKING BASIN Chair of the MDBA says that a healthy working basin requires more than just a number around water volumes.

A part of this, the MDB Plan is one component of a set of strategies to manage basin water.

Chair of the MDBA, Craig Knowles

It’s not just about how much water you’ve got, what really counts is what you do with it. It’s this reasoning, according to Craig Knowles, that lies at the heart of the proposed Basin Plan.

Since his appointment as Chair of the MurrayDarling Basin Authority, Craig says he’s felt a little like the Leyland Brothers. From forums, to kitchen tables, to paddocks and channels, he’s been engaging ‘anyone and everyone’ to deliver a balanced Basin Plan. Reflecting on these discussions, Craig says it’s clear that ‘localism’ was the essential, missing ingredient from the Guide to the proposed Basin Plan. “It’s the people who live in the basin who have the best feel for the things that work; and the things that don’t work,” he says. “What’ll be perfectly adequate in one place may well be inadequate in another.”

The Guide was able to provide ‘ball park’ figures on the amount of water required to meet the environmental needs of the Murray-Darling Basin.

But importantly, it enabled the receipt of a great deal of crucial feedback on a range of water management issues, especially at the local level. “What’s become very clear is that the provision of a healthy working basin requires more than just a number around water volumes,” Craig says. “Put simply, in the Murray-Darling, using water to the best effect is far more complex than just sending a big volume down the river.”

In this context, he sees the Basin Plan as one component of a set of broader strategies to manage the basin water, something the Windsor Committee and Goyder Institute reports also indentified.

He says there are many ‘other things’ that need to be done if we are serious about improving the long-term health of the basin.” I’m firmly of the view, for example, the current barriers to trade need to be removed so the market is more transparent and efficient. If nothing else, Commonwealth and state 26

water-holders should be active traders in the market.

Also, water buybacks need to be strategic and prioritise the lowest possible impact in communities.

And like the Windsor report, I’d like to see a greater focus on investment in water saving projects drawing on local knowledge.”

But according to Craig, perhaps the biggest issue involves “constraints”.

“People have been telling me over and over that with the current constraints to the system, environmental water simply cannot be delivered efficiently. By constraints I mean things like the carry-over rules, channel capacity, dam operating rules and outlet capacities. For many decades the way we’ve run the rivers – particularly in the southern regulated system – has been about its delivery for consumptive use and to keep the river flow in-channel. We’ve been successful with that, but many of the rules and regulations put in place are now hampering the delivery of environmental water.”

He says there are clear examples of where system constraints are limiting our ability to manage water and this means – because of inefficiencies – we are likely to have to use more water to achieve the same outcome. “What I am saying here is that we have the potential to achieve similar environmental outcomes with less water.”

Without addressing all of the above, we’re not going to get the sensible and efficient outcomes that we desperately need. But the challenge is that all of these things sit outside the remit of a Basin Plan, which means we need the commitment and support of our Commonwealth and State governments and – just as importantly – the involvement of local communities.

There is, however, a window of opportunity to make this happen; the agreement reached by Commonwealth and state water ministers to adopt

the Basin Plan framework in 2012 and the next generation of local water resource plans in the period to 2019. “This means that communities will have time to adjust to any changes. And it also means that governments have time to align programs and roll out much needed efficiencies, or changes to river management policies. At the same time, with an adaptive and flexible plan, the authority can build on the accumulated science and make improvements over time. The science doesn’t end once we publish the proposed Basin Plan. We all need to be committed to an on-going process of monitoring basin health, science engagement, and evaluation and adaption, over the next seven years.”

The Basin Plan presents the nation with a unique opportunity to restore balance to the MurrayDarling river system, something that has been acknowledged for decades; and that was strongly reflected in the feedback that followed the release of the Guide. “In presenting the proposed Basin Plan the Authority will suggested a process that it believes will restore this balance. It will also present a way forward that will allow the Commonwealth, states and communities to enhance water saving measures in the period leading to the plan’s commencement in 2019.”

Craig cautions that a plan for the basin that meets environmental watering requirements cannot be delivered without impacting – to some degree – the lives of people in some localities. “The proposed Basin Plan will not meet all expectations. Restoring balance to the river system will unavoidably require some give and take. However, it will provide a consultative structure that will enable all stakeholders of goodwill to work to achieve a shared goal; a healthy river that supports both people and the environment in perpetuity. article supplied by Murray Darling Basin Authority

Policy feature Please, sir, I want some more Opinion piece: Murray Darling planning process The Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan (Guide) prepared by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), released on 8 October 2010, was meant to foreshadow the draft MDB Plan, but the approach taken generated a widespread vehement response.

On 28 October 2010, Simon Crean, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, tasked the Standing Committee on Regional Australia (Committee) to inquire into the Guide and its impact on regional communities, with independent MP Tony Windsor at the helm of the inquiry.

In the aftermath, the MDBA was reconfigured with the resignations of chair Mike Taylor, chief executive Rob Freeman and the exit of the Wentworth Group. On 28 January 2011, Craig Knowles was appointed the new chair, publically

28

vowing to consult with key stakeholders and develop a plan that focuses on how water in the MDB is used, rather than focusing strictly on outflows from the Murray mouth.

On 2 June 2011, the Committee released its report containing 21 recommendations (Windsor Report). The draft MDB Plan, originally due for release on 30 June, is now expected to be released in late-August. As a pre-cursor to the release of the draft MDB Plan, the table outlines the shift in approach and policy regarding the MDB, along with our thoughts.

Only time will tell how many of the recommendations are adopted and what shape they will take. A 16-week consultation period will follow the release of the draft MDB Plan, with the final plan to be provided to Water Minister, Tony Burke, possibly in late 2011.

Once approved by Minister Burke, the draft MDB Plan will be presented to Federal Parliament, probably in early 2012. But it will only take effect if not disallowed by either the House of Representatives or the Senate. The MDB Plan would then also be subject to High Court challenge, probably by Green interests. This begs the question: will it ever take effect or, like Oliver Twist, will it leave everyone wanting more?

Note. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not of IAL.

Jenni Mattila and Karen Lang, Mattila Lawyers, Sydney

Determining the sustainable diversion limits (SDLs)

The Guide

Windsor Report

Author's opinion

Stated the ‘best available science’ was

Questioned the assumptions made in

Determining the SDLs will always pose a

used in determining the amount of water

calculating the SDLs, particularly the

challenge, but as Craig Knowles states, the

required for the environment and in

forecasted impact of climate change.3

emphasis of the plan should be about “how

determining the SDLs (i.e. caps on the

Found that the Guide failed to provide a

you use the water, rather than just a volume”.6

amount of water that can be used for all

credible scientific basis for the proposed

SDLs need to be set at appropriate levels on a

SDLs.4

catchment-by-catchment basis. There is no point

non-environmental

purposes).1

SDLs based on a 3% reduction of water on account of climate

Recommended that greater rigour

be applied to the assumptions on which the

change.2

SDLs were

determined.5

setting low SDLs in a catchment to the detriment of farmers, irrigators and local communities, when water cannot be physically delivered to

Community engagement

meet the stated environmental outcomes.

There was no community or stakeholder

Criticised the MDBA as having prepared the

Community engagement and basin state input

consultation before the release of the

Guide on a ‘closed door’ basis.9

is essential in drafting and implementing a plan

Guide, nor was input invited from the

Recommended that in developing the MDB

that is robust and adaptable, yet able to meet

basin states. Community information

Plan, the MDBA:

the needs of key stakeholders. Drawing on local

sessions were subsequently held, in

• develop a community engagement strategy

knowledge is beneficial, as the science is not

which the MDBA acknowledged they

• engage with stakeholders

always adequate or available. Locals with in-

lacked confidence in the projected job

• draw on local knowledge and expertise

depth firsthand knowledge of the environment,

losses. 7

(only long-term losses of 800 full

time positions). 8

by developing separate community basin

water resources and how they are impacted

plans.10

on by geography and climate, provide valuable long-term strategic input.

Considered that water buybacks had been

Water buy-backs strategy and implementation

The Commonwealth to continue

manner.13

Water buyback initiatives need to be strategic

purchasing permanent water

carried out in a non-strategic

entitlements from “willing” sellers

Recommended greater stakeholder

assets and disproportionate impacts in some

through the Department of Sustainability,

involvement in the buyback process by

catchment areas. Buybacks cannot be carried

Environment, Water, Population and

removing responsibility from SEWPAC and

out in isolation of other initiatives, such as

Communities (SEWPAC) through the

transferring to a newly established National

water infrastructure investment projects which

Water for the Future program and similar

Water Fund manager (NWFM), based on the

improve productivity. Buybacks reduce the cost

programs.11

If such efforts did not offset

Water for Rivers (WFR)

model.14

the impacts, the Commonwealth would

Recommended that NWFM:

‘bridge the gap’ by payments to affected

• take a strategic, localised approach to

entitlement holders.12 However, details of this proposal were not included.

and take into account possible stranded

of environmental water, but significantly impact on MDB towns and agricultural productivity.

water purchase • in special circumstances sell/buy surplus environmental water as and when needed

Infrastructure investment programs

in the temporary water market. 15 Recognised that infrastructure programs

Considered there are significant

Creating an agency such as NWFM with

need to ‘bridge the gap’ between existing

opportunities for environmental savings

responsibility for both buy-back and

limits on water use and the proposed

to be met via infrastructure programs,

infrastructure projects will create a more

SDLs.16

which should be actively pursued.

integrated, responsible approach to managing

Beyond identifying the programs already

Recommended that NWFM be responsible

water resources in the MDB. Local planning

in progress, the Guide did not contain

in identifying and investing in irrigation be

and management of water policy will produce

details of proposed projects. It appeared

responsible in identifying and investing in

better long-term results as it promotes

projects would continue to be managed

irrigation and environmental infrastructure

consultation and stakeholder involvement

by SEWPAC and others.

projects.17

at all stages of the process.

1 MDBA, Guide to the proposed Basin Plan Volume 1 (Canberra),

6 Hunt P, ‘Basin water D-day’, The Weekly Times (Melbourne),

8/10/10, 35, 108.

2 Ibid 34.

3 Standing Committee on Regional Australia, House of Representatives, Of Drought and flooding rains: Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (2011) 58-62.

4 Ibid 61.

5 Ibid 68-71.

27/07/11, 1.

7 MDBA, above n1, 121.

8 Standing Committee on Regional Australia, above n 3, 41.

9 Ibid.

10 Ibid, 89-93.

11 MDBA, above n1, 152-153.

12 MDBA, above n1, 154.

13 Standing Committee on Regional Australia, above n 3, 101-111.

14 Standing Committee on Regional Australia, above n 3, 124-125, 139-141.

15 Standing Committee on Regional Australia, above n 3, 140-141.

16 MDBA, above n1, 152-153.

17 Standing Committee on Regional Australia, above n 3, 140-141.

SPRING 2011

29

THE BIG ISSUE Managing IAL finances A big issue for IAL in the next 12 months will be managing its finances responsibly in the face of reduced funding from outside sources (such as Horticulture Australia Limited) while maintaining the services it provides to members and ensuring it remains a key player in the irrigation industry.

In this article, CEO, Ian Atkinson explains how the board and the association will be tackling this big issue.

At the June board meeting, IAL board directors revisited the strategic plan, which was developed by the board and regional chairs in 2009, and prioritised activities for the next 12 months with the aim of strengthening the finances and operations of your association.

As a result of this activity, three strategies – building value for members, further improving professional development services and strengthening alliances with other groups – were nominated as being of highest priority for the association. This isn’t to say that we aren’t going to be doing anything on the other strategies, rather we will be making sure that most of our effort goes into the these areas.

Priority objectives Building membership value

Strategic plan The IAL board and management have reviewed our strategic plan for the next 12 months to ensure that we maintain the services we provide to our members and that we continue to be recognised as a key player in the irrigation industry. A key part of this will be managing our finances responsibly.

Three strategies – building value for members, further improving professional development services and strengthening alliances with other groups – will be the highest priority strategies for IAL. This isn’t to say that we aren’t going to be doing anything on the other strategies, rather we will be making sure that most of our effort goes into the these areas.

30

The clear highest priority objective identified by the board was that of building the value of IAL membership. It is only by doing this that can we increase numbers and solidify member loyalty. We can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach; our challenge is to tailor our offer to ensure that each member sector, including irrigation retailers, consultants, contractors and installers, water supply companies, manufacturers and water users, wants to join IAL because of the clear benefits it offers.

Our first priority is to develop membership value proposition for existing membership, something the board have been working on for several months with regional input. When we get this bedded down, we need to more clearly understand the potential for enlisting membership from different sectors and target new members based on this understanding.

Education, training and certification

Professional development is an area that IAL, and before it the IAA and ANCID, had concentrated much effort on and developed an enviable reputation.

The board is keen to maintain our standing in this area by continuing to develop and implement training and certification programs that lift the professionalism of the industry, provide a desirable career path and are targeted to meet the identified needs of the industry’s customers. As part of this we also recognise that we need to maximise our income producing potential by running high quality workshops and courses that meet the needs of our members.

IAL has spent a lot of effort over the past decade building our certification program, and a priority is to ensure that we continue to be the professional certification authority for the irrigation industry.

An important role for the membership is to actively assist with professional development of the industry through the Professional Development Committee and Certification Board.

Partnerships and alliances

The board recognises that to maintain a strong and growing association with committed membership, IAL must better develop its formal internal structure for maintaining strong and productive relations with regions committees, special interest groups (SIGs) and the International Committee on Irrigation & Drainage (ICID). Through the SIGs, regional committees and ICID IAL can better identify local issues and opportunities as well as engage with stakeholders who are pivotal to our future direction.

Our aim is to have six SIGs operating successfully by the end of 2011 (those up and running so far drip and centre pivot/lateral move) and for each SIG to hold a forum by June 2012.

While we are concentrating our efforts internally at present, we certainly haven’t forgotten building alliances with external stakeholders in irrigation, both in Australia and overseas. We now have constructive working relationships with National Irrigators Council as well as a number of government departments, both commonwealth and state.

Other objectives Other objectives for IAL are best practice standards, advocacy and knowledge and information transfer.

The board has decided that while these objectives are all important to the long-term future of IAL, current IAL staff will be putting most effort into the priority objectives.

Best practice standards.

The aim of our activities in the area of best practice is to develop and promote high-quality

benchmarks which can underpin the performance of irrigation design, installation of equipment, audit and management contracts; and enhance the effectiveness and risk management of governmentfunded programs.

A member committee, chaired by Chris Edwards from NSW, is working hard on developing best practice standards for the irrigation industry.

Member input is encouraged and you can read about the committee’s achievements so far in the “Raising Standards” column on page 62.

Advocacy

This has been a ticklish issue for IAL in the past, as advocacy can be seen to have a political dimension.

The association’s aim is definitely not to get directly involved in politics and lobbying, rather our focus is to represent the industry and promote the importance of best practice in irrigation, particularly the value of using the services of appropriately

trained and certified irrigation professionals, adopting the accepted best practice standards and providing technically sound independent advice to government authorities and other stakeholders.

In this context our activities to do with education, training and certification and the work being done to develop best practice standards will, at least in part, help with this objective.

Knowledge and information transfer

To ensure effective communication across the industry, to irrigators, government and to stakeholders on matters related to best practice in irrigation. Our most effective vehicles for doing this– Irrigation Australia journal, Backwash, our e-newsletter, our conferences and expo and the website – provide a solid foundation for communicating with the irrigation industry. This isn’t to say they can’t be improved.

We have recently switched to a new, more webfriendly format for Backwash, this edition of the journal features a new look designed to improve readability, and we need to upgrade the website in the near future to make it much more user friendly and dynamic. Our priority now is to develop a communications plan so we can identify where and how we need to focus our communication in future.

In meetings with regions and members I have consistently talked about focussing on our strengths – doing fewer things but doing them better. IAL staff, including our industry development officers, now have a clear strategic plan to use when developing our work plans. They will include a major focus on activities that deliver both benefit to members and improved revenue for your organisation, because our long term future depends upon both.

Ian Atkinson, IAL CEO

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SPRING 2011

31

IAL NEWS New staff When you ring the IAL support office, chances are that the voice on the phone will belong to Jodie Porter.

Jodie began her new role at IAL in July, where she will be responsible for member services and various office duties supporting other IAL staff. She was previously employed by one of the largest book manufacturing plants in Australia, Griffin Press, a division of PMP Print.

Jodie's roles during her 14 years at Griffin were varied - starting from administration, data entry and general reception, to three years in production planning and customer service, and then ten years as NSW sales executive looking after accounts in both Australia and New Zealand.

Jodie was responsible for new sales as well as maintaining and securing contractual accounts such as Harper Collins Publishers and Random House. Jodie said she is excited about joining the team in the IAL office, and her skills as an all rounder will stand her in good stead.

Jodie has four young children (three boys and one girl). She doesn’t spend much time as a couch potato, rather loves keeping fit with running and netball, spending time with friends and family over a bbq, and a good glass of wine! She is also actively involved with her local soccer club where she is assistant secretary and heads up the Social Committee.

So, next time you ring IAL and Jodie answers, welcome her on board.

32

IAL moves office As well as welcoming new staff on board, in August we spent a weekend packing up files and furniture and moved the IAL national support office from Hornsby to Mascot. Our new address is suite12/56 Church Ave Mascot; postal address is PO Box 863 Mascot 1460. Our new phone number is 02 8335 4000 and our fax will be 02 8335 4099.

If you are in Sydney on business, drop in and say hello and use the facilities as we are within 100 m of Mascot Station and a 15-minute walk to the domestic airport. And to help you recognise the building, you can see it in the photo above (the IAL office is outlined in red).

the desired skills to help move the region forward.

Tracy’s role includes arranging or providing education and information programs for IAL members and for the WA irrigation industry, supporting the WaterWise program, liaising with other industry groups and training organisations, representing the IAL, promoting and assisting with the implementation of IAL certification, and provide networking and technical updates through field days, seminars and expo/conferences.

Welcome on board in the new role Tracy.

NEW IDO for WA In another staff appointment Greg Stewart, chairman of the WA regional committee, announced in July, that Tracy Martin had been appointed as the new industry development officer for the IAL in WA. Tracy has been the WA admin/ projects officer since 2008 and is very familiar with the organisation, how it functions and what its key goals and objectives are. Greg said that the regional committee was very fortunate to secure Tracy for the role as she has

EBay site IAL now has a small eBay presence, just search for “Irrigation Australia” and then look at the listings. Why are

we doing this? We have a cupboard full of books to sell that no one seems to know about outside of the office!

We won’t become an overnight success as a 24-7 bookshop but we should make what we have easily available to members. It is a small start but an important learning exercise for us, so if you think we can do more with it please let Ian Atkinson, CEO, know, email ian.atkinson@irrigation.org.au.

Register of consultants Many of you would be aware that as well as the IAL staff and volunteers, IAL occasionally makes use of consultants. Sometimes this is on a paid-by-the-job basis but at other times it is based on some form of success bonus. Either way IAL would like to know if you are interested in joining our list of preferred contractors?

If so, then as a first step please send an email to Ian Atkinson, ian.atkinson@irrigation.org.au with the words ‘Consultant Register’ in the subject line. We will go through a process of looking at what people can offer and develop an in-house list.

By the way, this opportunity is only open to members!

Up close Ian Atkinson was appointed CEO of IAL in June.

Ian is no stranger to irrigation, having been CEO of the CRC for Irrigation Futures for over four years and an IAL board member in 2009. In this column we ask Ian for his thoughts on the future of irrigation and priorities for the association, as well as find out a bit about him.

many staff) and they come from a very wide range of areas, backgrounds and industry sectors. CRCIF involved over ninety staff but many only worked part-time on CRC projects, IAL has only nine employees (some are part-time) and literally dozens of volunteers. That said, I only had direct control over a small team in CRCIF so that is similar here.

A key similarity is that both organisations have governing boards and a small management team which is tasked by the owners to deliver on the organisational objectives. The CRCIF’s objectives came from the contract the owners signed with the Commonwealth, whereas IAL’s objectives come from the constitution and our strategic plan.

What do you see as the priority issues for the IAL to deal with in the next 12 months?

Internally, adjusting the organisation to a future without significant project funding from Horticulture Australia Limited is a priority. The reasons for the failure of our application to HAL last year are complex but the ramifications are significant, both in the short term (one result is we have How long have you a deficit budget for 2011-12) and the longer term, been working in areas including the need to put more effort into our that are related to other revenue streams. irrigation?

Externally, our priority is to maximise the My earliest experience with commercial irrigation opportunities available to our members, and IAL was in SA’s Riverland district when I did nine itself, to benefit from the current phase of water months casual work at Loxton Research Station reform in this country. Rural irrigation water reform (SA Department of Agriculture) in the early 1980s. is being driven by the Commonwealth and we I worked on a number of projects, including sprinkler can help them and our members to deliver a more testing with people still known to many in the sustainable industry. At the state level urban water industry: Trevor Sluggett, Keith Watson, Murray reform isn’t finished yet and I see opportunities to Harvey and Dennis Sparrow. I also worked on the influence policy on issues such as better availability of River Murray Irrigation and Salinity Investigation water for landscape and turf irrigation.

Program doing both field work and report writing.

Will you be making Best fun was being the wine-maker for their any major changes viticultural trials where I had to make room in the to the way the IAL cool room by “emptying” bottles from previous is managed or the years! In the years since I have worked with many issues it deals with? irrigated industries in NSW, Queensland and The board and I have already made some nationally in roles such as CEO of the CRC for significant changes. For instance Trevor le Breton Irrigation Futures (CRCIF). is now our general manager and has a broader and What will be the key better defined portfolio to manage. I am based in differences in leading Adelaide so the support office in Sydney will have IAL compared with to be more independent than has been the case. the CRCIF? Our industry development officers will be more CRCIF was owned by its members as well but there directly managed as their work is re-focussed to were only fifteen of them! IAL is owned by our 650 take advantage of the opportunities arising from plus members (including companies employing the removal of the HAL straightjacket.

Dog or cat?

Dog, and his name should be Houdini because he can levitate over 1.3 m fences!

Next holiday destination?

Family is booked in to go ‘worlding’ on the Gold Coast later this year.

Best book you’ve read this year.

“The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't” by Robert Sutton. This is best book I have ever read about dealing with difficult people, either as a worker or a manager. It is also a refreshing example of how research, consulting experience and common sense can be weaved together in an open and accessible style – achieving that impossible dream of a readable book written by an academic!

YOUR IAL BOARD MEMBERS Chairman Peter Toome Adcon Telemetry Australia Pty Ltd PROSPECT SA 5082 P (08) 8342-5343 M 0438 813 678 E p.toome@adcon.at Deputy Chairman Ian Moorhouse Goulburn-Murray Water TATURA VIC 3616 P (03) 5833-5515 M 0409 438 323 E ianm@g-mwater. com.au

Simon CowlandCooper Broadwater Consultants Labrador Qld 4215 P (07) 5591 5353 M 0415 733 431 E simon@ simoncooperassoc. com.au Colin Campbell Hydro Plan Pty Ltd BENTLEY WA 6983 P (08) 9470-2233 M 0412 513 886 E cjc@hydroplan.com. au

Scott Barber State Water Corporation DUBBO NSW 2830 P (02) 6841-2052 M 0428 245 485 E scott.barber@ statewater.com.au

Vern Costelow Water Dynamics PACKENHAM VIC 3810 P (03) 9874-6655 M 0417 356 694 E vcostelow@typac. com.au

Ann-Maree Boland RM Consulting Group CAMBERWELL VIC 3124 P (03) 9882-2670 M 0427 679 042 E anne-mareeb@rmcg. com.au

Tom Vanderbyl SunWater Limited BRISBANE QLD 4002 P (07) 3120-0105 M 0411 066 793 E tom.vanderbyl@ sunwater.com.au

Karen Murday Department of Natural Resources & Water BRISBANE QLD 4001 P (07) 3247-4405 M 0414 607 716 E karen.murday@nrw. qld.gov.au

Peter Smith Department of Primary Industries TAMWORTH NSW 2340 P (02) 6763-1262 M 0411 128 437 E peter.smith@industry. nsw.gov.au

SPRING 2011

33

IAL NEWS Pumping and energy efficiency seminar a winner Pumping costs are a big part of the bottom line for many irrigation enterprises so it was no surprise when a seminar on reducing pumping costs and optimising energy efficiency proved to be a winner.

The seminar, held in early August, was organised by the North-West NSW regional committee of IAL and held in Narrabri. Committee chairman, Peter Taylor, said that the program was designed to identify current water pumping costs and discuss potential ways of reducing them. The discussion extended to gas injection to diesel motors, the benefits and limitations of variable-speed drives for electric motors, the use of solar powered pumps for pumping of up to 14 ML a day, farm energy efficiency assessments and maintenance of bore screens.

“It was a prime opportunity for industry delegates to review on-farm pumping basics on the back of a good irrigation season which has provided the opportunity for some capital expenditure after about eight years of drought having affected farm budgets,” said Peter.

About thirty people attended the seminar, including sponsor representatives from as far away as Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle.

Two pump specialists discussed the need to ensure that a pump set matches the pump duty and that the pump can operate at the highest efficiency and therefore provide the best result for $/ML energy costs.

Key advice from the day was that anyone looking to buy a new irrigation system should do an energy efficiency assessment.

“This is because the cost of energy is increasing quickly and will soon be a significant part of the overall production budget, if it is not already a key parameter in determining the type of irrigation system used on a farm,” explained Peter.

Water pumping costs for broadacre irrigation are now as high as $80/ML for bore pumping and $110/ML for spray irrigation direct from a bore. The energy cost of spray irrigation is a significant cost when relating spray irrigation to the operation of surface irrigation. Some concerns were raised during a brief discussion of

Join the IAL and be a part of your irrigation industry The IAL is the national body that represents the irrigation industry. As an IAL member you receive information, support and news, can attend seminars and conferences at reduced rates and have access to our certification programs and other professional development opportunities. Members (other than Class A members) can register their products and

future costs for high energy users, including the impact of a carbon tax and managing emissions from diesel engines. Improving energy efficiencies can directly relate to reduced emissions and therefore potential reductions in emission penalties.

The committee videoed the day’s proceedings and is looking to have it available for purchase from the IAL library. We’ll include a note in the journal and Backwash when it is available.

The North-West NSW regional committee of IAL has just held a successful seminar on pumping and energy costs. Members of the committee (l to r) are Grant Hall, Jim Purcell, Anthony Fairfull, Peter Smith, Rod Jackson, Peter Taylor, Neal Albert, Janelle Montgomery and Rod Brown.

How to apply

services in the online directory. Individuals, end users, water user groups, water supply authorities, consultants, designers, installers and contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, local, state and federal government departments and service industry companies with an interest in the irrigation industry are eligible to join.

It’s easy. Just download and complete the application form on the Membership page of the IAL website www.irrigation.org.au.

Just fill the form in, sign it and fax it to 02 9476 0792 or post it to Irrigation Australia Ltd, PO Box 863, Mascot NSW 1460.

Class A Members (Individuals and Affiliates) – 1 vote A.1

Student

$65 (incl GST)

A.2

Individual (where no company or organisational name is recorded)

$185 (incl GST)

A.3

Affiliated not for profit organisation (where members of the affiliate may receive benefits as individuals at the directors discretion but not be entitled to recognition on the register of members or at General Meetings)

$610 (incl GST)

A.4

Sole trader (where one individual wishes to have a company name recorded)

$305 (incl GST)

Class B Members (Small Enterprises) – 2 votes B.1

Small Enterprises, being corporations, partnerships, entities or authorities (statutory, governmental or otherwise) with not less than 1 employee and not more than 5 employees or an annual turnover not more than $5 million.

$610 (incl GST)

Class C Members (Medium Enterprises) – 5 votes C.1

Medium Enterprises, being corporations, partnerships, entities or authorities (statutory, governmental or otherwise) with not less than 6, and not more than 20, employees or an annual turnover of more than $5 million and less than $20 million.

$1,820 (incl GST)

Class D Members (Large Enterprises) – 10 votes Large Enterprises, being corporations, partnerships, entities or authorities (statutory, governmental or otherwise) with more than 20 employees or annual turnover of $20 million or more D.1

Making contributions of more than $2,000 to other IAL programs including ITA and/or relevant special interest groups

$3,640 (incl GST)

D.2

Not making contributions to other IAL programs $5,000 plus GST

$6,065 (incl GST)

D.3

Large RWSP enterprises with more than 20 employees or annual turnover of $20 million or more.

$12,130 (incl GST)

* The Annual fee shown above is calculated pro-rata (to the nearest quarter of the year) for new members

34

Flume Gates, Northern Victoria – FutureFlow Irrigation Modernisation Alliance

It’s because we do, that we know how A leading infrastructure and maintenance services business that specialises in the gas, irrigation and water sectors Comdain Infrastructure’s irrigation capabilities include managing the construction of: irrigation meters, regulators (civil works and gates), channel lining, major weir works, gravity and pressure pipelines; civil, mechanical and electrical works; automation control; winter shut-down projects; and developing and delivering on-farm irrigation solutions.

Comdain Infrastructure is accredited to the Federal Safety Commission’s Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme which complements the three year certification of our management systems by BSI Global as meeting the requirements of AS/NZS 4801, ISO14001 and ISO9001.

We place importance on professional excellence and best practice in all aspects of our construction and maintenance services work, most particularly on safety.

Quality ISO9001

OHS AS/NZS 4801

Environment ISO14001

Current & Recent Projects State Water Corporation, NSW – Managing Contractor: Planning and installation of over 1200 river and groundwater extraction meters for the $22.4m NSW Metering Scheme Murray Pilot Project and the Murrumbidgee Metering Project, part of the $65m Murrumbidgee Water Efficiency Project Northern Victorian Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP): Performing irrigation channel upgrades, meter installations and installation of large regulating structures across the Goulburn Valley.

Goulburn-Murray Water – FutureFlow Irrigation Modernisation Alliance: Delivery alliance partner in the installation of 1500 flume gates, 3800 new and replacement metres, 27km HDPE channel lining and 27km of low pressure pipeline over a two year period.

Goulburn-Murray Water: Road Culverts Installation of road crossing culverts

Intelligent Doers, Dependable Delivery comdaininfrastructure.com.au SPRING 2011

35

Article John Deere Water’s vision One of the things that has characterised the irrigation industry locally and globally is a trend to consolidation, with well known companies either being taken over by other companies or themselves taking over lesser known organisations. One of the companies that has expanded is John Deere Water. In this article they explain their vision for water and the company in the future.

Despite Australia being the driest continent on earth we have been profligate with the use of water.

It really has only been in the last ten years, driven by an endless drought, that we have started to take its efficient use with the degree of seriousness the subject warrants. Public campaigns to be ‘water wise’ have seen domestic water consumption per head drop dramatically; e.g. in Brisbane, an eightmonth campaign saw water use per head drop from

374 L per head to 127 L, quite an achievement.

But it is in the world of agriculture that there is even more to be gained by the efficient and responsible use of water.

Consequently much attention has been paid to the issue of irrigation, not only through water buybacks, but a recognition that more has to be done with less, and that technology can make irrigation an incredibly productive and efficient water user.

Cromford Pipe, a division of Cromford Group are proudly Australian owned and operated.

Cromford manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of Polyethylene and PPR Pipe from 25mm to 800mm and also HDPE and PVC Flexi pipe from 50mm to 160mm in Class 1000. Capabilities also include special colours, solid, striped or jacketed.

Innovation and investing in research and development are the mainstays of John Deere Water, says managing director, Peter Wanckel.

John Deere moves into water In 1837,174 years ago, a blacksmith named John Deere brought about another farming revolution by inventing a cast-steel plough that could carve up the soil. It was the beginning of a company with an iconic brand known globally. But what John Deere is increasingly been known for has moved way beyond the humble, tough tractor and into the font of life – water.

Given its dedicated relationship to the land and agriculture it was a strategic yet natural fit.

Water is the key to greater agricultural output.

Only 18% of the world’s agricultural land is irrigated, yet irrigated agriculture accounts for 40% of global food production.

John Deere Water quickly has become one of the largest irrigation companies in the world. With the 2008 acquisitions of Plastro Irrigation Systems and T-Systems, International and the 2006 acquisition of Roberts Irrigation Products, John Deere Water now provides precision irrigation systems in more than 100 countries.

As a company John Deere Water sees great potential for integration and synergies with John Deere agriculture equipment. They plan to offer their customers a strategic but small number of dealers expert in the fields of engineering and irrigation.

Innovation and R&D KEYS to the future

Manufacturing and distributing Pipe, as well as fittings for Australia’s infrastructure and project needs.

Visit our website at www.cromford.com.au or call our sales team on 1300 739 830.

John Deere Water is determined to be a global leader in the water industry, delivering innovative and efficient water management solutions to enable good stewardship of our water resources. That means working with the client to solve problems and create solutions.

To this end John Deere Water is investing heavily in research and development focused on efficiency, durability and precision deliverability. When this is allied to further possible company acquisitions there will soon be a range of new product lines brought to market that will revolutionise the irrigation business.

As far as Managing Director Peter Wanckel is concerned, “Strategic investment in research and development is a mainstay of the company; it helps our customers on the land realise their own aspirations of productivity and efficiency”.

The company already manufactures high performance micro and drip irrigation products for agricultural, nursery, landscape, greenhouse and mining markets.

It also offers services such as hydraulic design, irrigation project management, soil moisture monitoring and agronomic and technical support, which provide growers with the right solutions for their crop.

Innovation is also important in irrigation.

"Water shortage is an issue having a profound impact on growers globally. Australia in particular has been subject to this pressure as evidenced in the recent widespread drought. With Australia’s need to improve agricultural productivity and tighter regulation on water usage, the implementation of more effective and efficient irrigation practices is essential. We see the use of drip irrigation technologies becoming a core component of Australia’s agricultural future," said Peter.

Water is a limited natural resource, the demand for which continues to increase as a result of many factors, including population growth, competitive demand from food, fibre, and fuel crops, and a disparity between the location of water supplies and demand. This demand is not only for any water, but for clean, usable water.

The corporate world is full of mission statements and the vision thing; many are no more than a bunch of words on a website. But John Deere has 174 years of reputation built on its founder's original core values; integrity, quality, commitment and innovation.

The humble blacksmith whose ingenuity started the company said, “I will not put my name on a product that does not have in it the best that is in me”.

In Australia water will become the key resource and its management a central national priority, but it will be at the farm gate that the battle of water management will be fought and won.

The involvement of such a significant company as John Deere in the business of water will make a significant contribution to closing the productivity gap. Through technological innovation and its partnership with farmers it will make enormous advances in efficient irrigation solutions for the future.

Note. This article was provided by John

Smart Watermark Catch up on all the latest from the Smart WaterMark team.

iSaveH2O app update Smart WaterMark’s new iPhone application, iSaveH2O, is Australia’s first mobile rain tank calculator. Free to download from iTunes, the app has been designed to be easy to use and will give you water saving figures for rain tanks within three minutes. The app also provides a live database of all approved products and services, of which a significant proportion are irrigation focused. iSaveH2O is being downloaded and used by consultants, tradespeople and industry professionals across Australia as it’s handy to use on site and with clients. We’ve been surprised to learn that the app, with data specific to each postcode across Australia, has also been downloaded in the UK, USA, United Arab Emirates, China, India, Ireland, Lebanon and Croatia!

guidelines for holistic open space turf

As well as Sydney Water’s best practice guidelines for open space turf areas, there are various services specific to irrigation including: • EcoHort Guidelines for Managing the Environment • IAL’s Irrigation Efficiency Training Course • Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia • Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation Guidelines • Independent Irrigation Design Consultancy • Knowledge Tree Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd • One Stop Sprinklers • TIMPACK

Expert panel meets in September Do you have an irrigation product or service that saves water? The independent technical expert panel reviews new applications in September, and the closing date for submissions is 2 September.

For more information, including application forms and guidelines, visit the Smart WaterMark website, www.smartwatermark.info or call (02) 9223 3322.

We are pleased to have approved and certified as a service Sydney Water’s best practice guidelines, Improving the sustainability and playability of open space turf areas, for their water saving capabilities.

Sydney Water has been working with a panel of experts to develop best practice guidelines to encourage turf managers across its jurisdiction to think holistically and sustainably about irrigation management practices.

In Sydney Water’s area of operations, there are dramatic contrasts in altitude, landform, soil type, climate, population density and land use. Irrigation of open space turf areas accounts for over half of the water used by councils in these areas – or around eight million litres of water a day.

To view the guidelines, visit www.smartwatermark. info/services

Smart WaterMark services

Joel Hurrey and Cally Sheehan show off the new iSaveH2O app.

While you probably know that Smart WaterMark certifies irrigation products, including mulches, soil enhancers, drip irrigation and controllers, did you know that services are also approved through the scheme?

Deere Water.

SPRING 2011

37

RESEARCH CPLM systems in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin: how far have we come?

In 2001, Joseph Foley and Steve Raine from the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA) did a comprehensive review of centre pivot and lateral move (CPLM) machines in the cotton industry. This review has been a great resource for new users and people thinking about investing in these systems. Since 2001, interest in using CPLM machines in broadacre cropping systems has grown and many new machines have been commissioned. However, some irrigators with little or no experience with CPLM systems are still finding it difficult to understand the benefits and costs as they consider investing in these machines. As well, anecdotal evidence suggests that the learning curve is particularly steep for irrigators familiar with furrow irrigation systems when they begin using these machines.

These issues are important, especially in the context that investment in this technology is likely to continue to increase with the provision of infrastructure funding programs.

This was one of the reasons that Queensland’s Healthy HeadWaters Water Use Efficiency project included an update of the original CPLM review to identify any design and management changes that may have occurred since 2001. The Healthy Headwaters project delivers funding for on-farm infrastructure improvement in the Queensland MurrayDarling Basin (QMDB) as part of the Australian Government’s Sustainable Rural Water Use and

Irrigation Water Use Index (Bales/ML)

Irrigation Water Use Index (Bales/ML)

3

2.5

Infrastructure Program. The aims of this new review were to: • help irrigators identify the perceived benefits and limitations associated with the use of CPLM irrigation systems • contribute to better informed investment decisions on the uptake of CPLM • help irrigators reduce the time taken to efficiently manage and operate CPLM irrigation systems after installation through an increased understanding of the management practices required to use these machines.

About the new review This review, completed earlier this year, followed the same methodology as the 2001 review. Faceto-face interviews of 30 CPLM operators across the QMDB (about 60% of all CPLM owners) were conducted. Another eight interviews were done with local suppliers (about 75% of all suppliers).

Each interview was comprehensive and took around two hours to complete.

The growers interviewed operated a total of 31 centre pivot and 26 lateral move machines with a combined area of over 6000 ha. Centre pivot installations ranged from 29 to 106 ha while lateral move installations ranged from 55 to 360 ha. The mean period of ownership was seven years, with 16 of the 30 growers having owned their CPLM machines for less than five years. Cotton was the main irrigated crop, although there were a small

Key results Yield and water use

About half of the growers believed they could achieve higher yields using CPLM machines compared to furrow irrigation, while most others believed that the same yields could be achieved with less water. The net effect is an increase in irrigation water use index (IWUI), with yield and water use data suggesting 41% of growers could improve their IWUI for cotton crops by between 0.5 and 1.5 bales/ML. The average and range of IWUI for CPLM and furrow systems in both 2001 and 2011 is illustrated in Figure 1. The range has particularly large maximum values in 2011 because of a very small number of recent CPLM users who had only experienced wet seasons requiring very little irrigation.

System capacity

System capacity ranged from 3.9 to 16 mm/day, with the low system capacity machines typically installed in water-limited situations where only supplementary irrigation is possible. System capacity of most machines was found to be higher than in the previous study in 2001. This is illustrated in Figure 2 which presents system capacity as a proportion of the average peak potential ET for the location of each machine.

3 2.5

<110 16%

2

>110 26%

2 1.5

<110 >110 16% 68%

1.5 1

0.5 0

1 0.5 0 Furrow

Furrow

CPLM

CPLM 2011

>110 68%

90-100 16%

90-100 16%

90-100 >110 52% 26% 90-100 52%

<90 22%

2001

2011 2001 Figure 1. Irrigation water use index for cotton (bales/ML) for furrow and CPLM irrigation in 2001 and 2011.

38

number of machines that were only used for grain and legume crops.

Figure 2. Design system capacity, expressed as a percentage of regional average peak potential ET, for machines in 2011 (LHS) and 2001 (RHS)

<90 22%

Lateral move

Centre Pivot

Moving plate 4%

Quad Spray 3%

2

LEPA 2%

1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2

Static plate 10%

1

Quad Spray 3%

LEPA 2%

0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2

Moving plate 67%

Static plate 10%

0 0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Moving plate 67%

LEPA

Moving plate 48% 4%

LEPA 48%

Static plate 48%

Static plate 48%

7000

System Cost ($/ha) Figure 3. CPLM system cost compared to design system capacity, represented as a proportion of average peak potential regional ET

This approach takes account of the fact that machines in different areas will require different system capacities to satisfy local evaporative demands.

This increase in system capacity is consistent with a key message from the first review, which suggested that many machines had a system capacity that was too low and would be unable to meet crop water requirements during extreme conditions. Many machines now have very high system capacities, in some cases higher than what would be required even during extreme periods. The result is that these machines are often idle and their capital cost has potentially been higher than necessary. This is evident in Figure 3 which shows the high cost of machines with large system capacities.

Emitter selection

Only four out of 30 growers used LEPA systems, a considerable change from 2001 when almost half of all growers used this system (Figure 4).

Furthermore, the use of moving plate sprinklers has increased greatly and is now the main application method. Previously, there had been a perception that the use of sprinklers in cotton crops may have a detrimental effect on fruiting and/or quality.

However, not only did growers not experience such effects, sprinklers were actually believed to reduce the instance of some pests such as whitefly and aphids.

Figure 4. Types of emitters used for in-crop irrigation in 2011 (LHS) and 2001 (RHS)

furrow irrigation. The median labour requirement for centre pivots was 20% of an equivalent furrow irrigation system while for lateral moves it was 40%.

This suggests the potential for substantial labour cost savings. These savings come, however at the cost of additional energy compared to gravity fed surface irrigation systems.

The 2001 review suggested that a supply point pressure about 15 psi higher than the desired emitter pressure should be enough for most machines, and this thinking was confirmed by suppliers in the 2011 survey. However, 69% of growers with pressure regulators had a supply point operating pressure that was more than 15Â psi above their regulator rating (Figure 5). Arguably, most of these machines could be designed or operated for lower pressure requirements, thus decreasing energy costs.

30-45 psi 11%

The data presented here shows the potential benefits of CPLM machines in terms of improved water use efficiency and labour savings. However, new CPLM users must be mindful of proper design to ensure that system capacity and operating pressure are appropriate for each situation.

More information on management practices and other practical considerations are contained in the full review report which will be available in the near future.

Information

Foley, J.P. and Raine, S.R. (2001) Centre pivot and lateral move machines in the Australian cotton industry, National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture Publication 1000176/1, USQ, Toowoomba.

Guide to authors

<15 psi 31%

1 DW Consulting Services 2 WaterBiz Pty Ltd 3 FSA Consulting 4 National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture 5 Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management

15-30 psi 58%

Operating pressure and labour requirements

Around 90% of growers believed that CPLM machines offered labour savings compared to

The bottom line

David Wigginton1*, Justin Schultz2, Rory Van Figure 5. Difference between operating pressure at the supply point and pressure regulator rating for all machines using pressure regulators

Niekerk3, Joseph Foley4 and Rosie Hannah5

SPRING 2011

39

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Full steam ahead for training IAL has firmly established its repuration as a leader in providing training and certification programs for the irrigation industry.

This overview of activities for the next few months shows that we aren't resting on our laurels; it's full steam ahead for IAL professional development.

Two discussion papers have been completed and are being considered by IAL management – one on possible changes to the Irrigation Efficiency Course (IEC) and the other on a training schedule for the next twelve months.

According to Mark Quayle, industry development officer for South-East Queensland, the IEC review collated the opinions of course presenters and past participants to help formulate the recommendations for change. Mark said that there was general agreement that the course needs to be longer than the present two days, as this didn’t allow the amount of material to be covered, and that participants need to meet some pre-qualification standards before being able to enrol. These standards include a basic understanding of irrigation principles and an understanding of maths and how to work through mathematical formulas.

Irrigation Essentials Training School

IAL TRAINING DIARY

The next couple months are busy ones for IAL training with activities such as the Irrigation Training School, CID exams, IEC, metering and online courses, and regional activities all in the calendar. Here is a summary of just some of what’s scheduled in August and September.

For more information go to the training page on the IAL website, www.irrigation.org.au

An annual calendar of training and IAL events will be launched during the Irrigation Australia Conference in August.

The calendar has been developed to help members, especially those who employ staff, plan participation in training activities at times that suit them.

40

If you are involved or employ staff in the retail sector then the Irrigation Essentials Training School is a mustattend event. This two-week residential training school, which has been run successfully by IAL for several years, is being held in Melbourne from Monday 19 September to Friday 30 September.

Some changes have been made to the program based on previous participant feedback. In particular the course has been revised to deliver the ESSENTIAL elements of what someone working in the industry needs to know. Additionally, participants will now be able to obtain compentency in a wider number of units which have been mapped to the ATQF framework and assessment tasks developed.

A further major difference to past courses is that IAL has entered a working partnership with the Australian Retailers Association to deliver the retail specific aspects of the program. This partnership will see IAL expand the range of retail and business courses available to our members in the coming months.

Outcomes will include: improved skills and knowledge in irrigation design, installation and troubleshooting; better understanding of retailing– product life cycle, discounting, display and customer service; how to provide a more professional service to customers; and progress towards IAL certification.

Supporting companies are: Iplex, Vinidex, FHS, HR Products, Grundfos, Davey Pumps, Philmac, AIP, Netafim and RainBird.

For information contact Trevor Le Breton, phone 02 98335 4000, email trevor.lebreton@irrigation.org.au

Metering workshop With the introduction of national standards for meters for non urban water supply last year, IAL has been running workshops to accredit meter installers, maintainers, and/or inspectors or validators.

The last workshop was held in Gatton in July.

“We were really pleased with the response,” said Mark Quayle, who organised the workshop.

“Fourteen people attended and they came from as far away as Ayr in the north and Victoria in the south.”

According to Mark, the feedback has been very positive. The next workshop, being run in Brisbane in September, is already a sell out. If you are interested in finding out more or registering your interest in attending a workshop, go to the training page on the IAL website www.irrigation.org.au or contact Mark Quayle, phone 00400 580 147, email mark.quayle@irrigation.org.au

Irrigation Efficiency Course The next venue for the course is 26 and 27 September in Perth. To find out more or to register, go to the Training and Certification page on the IAL website, www.irrigation.org.au.

Last chance for CID exams in 2011 November will be the last chance for anyone interested in doing a CID exam this year. CID exams will be held 10 November. For more information about the CID program go to the Training and Certification page on the IAL website, www.irrigation.org.au.

Irrigation training for professionals in southern QLD The Queensland Dept of Environment and Resources (DERM) is supporting provision of training and RPL for the IAL certification program (Irrigation Agronomist, Irrigation Designer, Irrigation Manager, Irrigation Operator, Irrigation Contractor and Irrigation Installer) as part of the Healthy HeadWaters project. For information and to register interest, contact Rosie Hannah, phone 07 4688 1413, email rosalie.hannah@derm.qld.gov.au.

WA Introduction to Irrigation Course A two-day Introduction to Irrigation course is being run in WA in Bunbury in September and

Geraldton in October. The course has been developed to help in the education and training of newcomers to the irrigation industry. IAL will be assessing the course with a view to introducing it more widely for people who don’t have a background in irrigation.

Participants will be introduced to the principles of irrigation. Topics the course will cover include: the irrigation industry; government agencies; standards, terms, units and formulas; sources of irrigation water in WA; irrigation efficiency; soil, water, plant relationship; irrigation systems and components; management a nd maintenance. To register your interest or find out more, contact Tracy Martin, phone 08 9474 9089 or email tracy.martin@irrigation.org.au

ENERGY EFFICIENCY COURSE With energy so much in the news lately, David Chester, IDO in SA, is encouraging people to check

out a two-day energy efficiency course, which he is aiming to organise for Adelaide later this year.

“With water and electricity prices rising, managers and operators of irrigation systems need to know more than ever where their dollars are possibly being wasted,” said David.

“And, given the age of some of the irrigation systems here, the regional committee feel that it would be worthwhile hosting a course that is solution-focused on this topic.”

The course will be presented by Rob Welke, from Tallemenco in Queensland. Rob has over 40 years of experience in the irrigation and water supply industries. Some of the topics covered are: flow management, filtration, pipeline friction testing, pumps and pump curves and flow meters. If you are interested in registering your interest or finding out more, contact David Chester, phone 0418 942 290, email david.chester@irrigation.org.au.

CONTROL THE UNCONTROLLABLE

Correction In the winter 2011 edition of Irrigation Australia we incorrectly referred to the training material for the centre pivot workshop as being developed by DEEDI. It was, in fact, developed by the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA) for the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC). In developing a generic version of the Centre Pivot and Lateral Move training manual, the CRC for Irrigation Futures would like to acknowledge the original source and contribution, which was an NCEA publication (1000176/1), Centre pivot and lateral move machines in the Australian cotton industry, by J.P. Foley and S.R. Raine (2001).

The training was funded through the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management’s South East Queensland Irrigation Futures, SEQIF, Project.

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CONFERENCE Irrigation – New Horizons – Fresh Ideas IAL has a reputation for putting on great events that showcase developments in irrigation technology, practice and policy as well as provide a friendly venue for catching up with colleagues and meeting new people.

One of the things that make this possible is the support of our sponsors, and we would like to thank our 2011 conference sponsors for getting behind the event so enthusiastically.

GOLD SPONSORS:

SILVER SPONSORS:

A TASTE OF TASSIE For those of our readers attending the conference, we feature a summary of two presentations.

For readers who aren’t able to attend, we thought that the summary presentations would give you a taste of Tassie and make interesting reading.

All presentations will be uploaded onto the website after the conference, so if this taste has whet your appetite, you will find more to satisfy yourself there.

Hearts and minds produce sustainable changes for Naring Community David Kent, Executive Manager NVIRP Modernisation and Nick Raleigh, Manager Connections Consultation The Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP) is currently engaged with a group of 34 landowners in the Naring area, east of the township of Numurkah as part of its Connections Program.

The objective is to connect all landowners back to the main backbone channel and effectively decommission up to 30 km of inefficient and leaking spur channel. This project highlights the value in allowing these types of projects to be community driven.

The story

The landowners in the Naring project area are an 42

BRONZE SPONSORS:

innovative group, with strong parochial views in relation to the future of irrigation in their patch. They have established themselves into an incorporated entity – the Naring Irrigators Inc. – with a well developed charter and committee structure.

The group was concerned that the identified backbone as released publicly was not extended far enough on their channel system to allow any viable connection opportunities. The backbone was designed based on consistent principles used right across the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District, nevertheless the group was aggrieved as they felt their topography resulted in a less than favourable outcome.

From an NVIRP perspective there are a large number of connection options to be considered when evaluating a project of this nature. Extension of the backbone is one such option, although it needs to be a part of the overall solution, and landowners must have an opportunity to be involved in the development of the plan required and accept the final outcome.

After a meeting between the group and NVIRP to discuss their concerns, it was agreed that the Naring Strategic Connection Project would be initiated.

NVIRP allocated a farm designer to work with the landowners individually, and then took a step back,

only becoming involving in the project when called upon by the group itself.

By June 2011 more than 75% of the landowners had accepted the developed solutions, and it is envisaged that this will increase to 100%. This would not have been achieved if NVIRP had managed the project directly. It was important that the project was community driven and owned by the group.

Lessons learnt

This project was community driven from the outset and we learned a number of lessons as a result of working with the group, including: • Ensuring landowners understand that the status quo is not an option is a key starting point in the consultation process.

• Allowing a group of landowners to manage the project, with an overseeing role by the entity delivering the program, generated ownership of the project and a better acceptance of the developed solutions.

• Leveraging the potential to extend backbone channels with the required strategic project outcomes provides incentive for change.

• Listening to what landowners require and helping them to achieve these aims can provide mutual benefits.

• Ensuring personal relationships are understood,

and managing family disputes and strained relationships are necessary parts of any large project which must be managed appropriately.

• The project will result in an estimated 2,758 ML LTCE of water savings at an average cost of $3,186/ML, slightly above the NVIRP benchmark.

• Further integration, by including the Farm Water Program in the one-stop-shop approach, would provide landowners connecting to the backbone additional funds for on-farm works which would generate further productivity on-farm and a larger volume of overall water savings for the project.

This model is now being refined by NVIRP for implementation in the remaining 90 Strategic Connections projects to be implemented across northern Victoria.

Saving water and energy using telemetry technology Susan Lambert, Frank Hay, Bill Cotching and Tony Norton, Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR), Burnie While travelling gun irrigators are generally considered inefficient with regard to energy and water use, because of their low capital cost and portability, they are commonly used in vegetable production in Tasmania. In collaboration with the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR), Seattle Services have developed irrigation and telemetry components that have been retro-fitted to a travelling gun irrigator to improve energy and water efficiency.

Preliminary results showed 7.7 t/ha (9%) greater yield of carrots under the modified than the conventional traveller, with 15% and 5% less energy and water used. Economic analyses are needed to further quantify benefits.

The trial

The retro-fitted components were designed to maintain a desired set pressure at the gun through a real-time feedback loop, regardless of the distance or slope of the irrigation run. Equipment was fitted to enable a comparison of the modified irrigation run with the conventional irrigator run, and trials conducted in a commercial carrot crop at the TIAR Vegetable Research Facility in 2010-2011 season.

During the season plant density and emergence, yield and quality, plant disease and water and energy consumption were all monitored. For yield assessments carrots were graded into no. 1 grade

or no. 2 grade and various size categories based on diameter from below small to large.

What happened?

Mean yields equivalent to 77.4 t/ha in the conventional and 85.1 t/ha in the modified traveller were acceptable. There was no significant difference in plant density between the conventional or modified traveller treatments (see table). The total carrot yield under the modified traveller treatment was much higher than the conventional (see table), with total yield in the modified traveller 10% higher than that of the conventional traveller. There was no significant difference between treatments in the yield of carrots in the ‘below small’, ‘small’ and ‘medium’ categories (see table).

Significantly, the yield of carrots in the ‘large’ category was much higher in the modified traveller treatment than in the conventional, which yielded only 67.8% of the modified.

There was no significant difference between treatments in the yield of ‘small no.1 grade’, ‘medium no. 1 grade’, ‘medium no. 2 grade’, or in waste.

However, the modified traveller treatment yielded more ‘large no. 1 grade’ and much fewer ‘small no. 2 grade’ and ‘large no. 2 grade’ than the conventional.

There was no significant difference between treatments in the ‘pack-out’ in terms of no. 1 grade (small, medium and large) as a percentage of total yield or in terms of no. 1 and 2 grade (small, medium, large as a % of total yield).

Data were subject to Levene’s Test for inequality of variances and non-paired, two-tailed t-test conducted to test equality of means (46 df ). For non significant (ns) results, the mean values between the two groups are not great enough to exclude the possibility that the difference is due to random sampling variability.

From the results, yields under the modified traveller treatment were higher than under the conventional traveller, equivalent to 7.7 t/ha (9%), and with 15% less energy and 5% less water used.

As part of this project an economic cost benefit analysis will be conducted in association with data collected such as water use, crop yield and disease assessment and provide information on capital costs, operating and energy costs, associated labour costs. This irrigation retro-fit system demonstrates the potential to reduce water and energy consumption during vegetable production.

A comparison of results from the conventional and modified travelling gun irrigators Conventional

Modified

P =A

Yield of carrots (g/m²)

7737.5

8510.8

0.028

No. plants/m2

58.9

59.7

0.692 ns

Yield of carrots (g/m²) in the following categories: Below Small

232.8

241.0

0.753 ns

Small

822.0

758.1

0.367 ns

Medium

3901.3

4120.2

0.300 ns

Large

691.4

1020.1

0.017

Yield of carrots (g/m²) in the following categories: Small #1 grade

669.0

660.8

0.906 ns

Medium #1 grade

3281.4

3496.8

0.280 ns

Large #1 grade

482.7

830.9

0.008

Small #2 grade

144.9

89.0

0.007

Medium #2 grade

565.4

568.1

0.973 ns

Large #2 grade

187.6

99.1

0.051

Waste

89.2

145.8

0.111 ns

Total waste

326.0

390.8

0.142 ns

Diseased

3.9

4.0

0.985 ns

Small, medium and large #1 grade as % of total yield (%)

57.1

58.9

0.225 ns

Small, medium and large #1 and #2 grade as % of total yield (%)

69.1

67.8

0.216 ns

SPRING 2011

43

VALE Obituary Mixing water, human rights and leadership – the Kader Asmal legacy

Kader Asmal became involved in water management through some dramatic events in recent South African history. It was an unusual, but some considered an inspired, choice by Nelson Mandela to appoint Kader as his first water minister in 1994. It was a challenge that he relished: “my relationship with water use and management has been one of the most creative and exciting aspects of a chequered and full life”.

As a human rights lawyer, Kader brought a unique perspective to the redrafting of the South Africa’s Chairing a conference can be a lot of hard work Water Act. The act introduced the “Reserve” to meet with a few minutes of fame at the beginning and the basic needs of all people and the ecosystem, end – ask the current IAL2011 Chair, Chris and placed this as the most important share Thompson. But for me one of the highlights of of the water resource. It also dramatically changed chairing last year’s One Water: Many Futures the way the natural resource was viewed and conference was hosting our two overseas keynote managed. As he once explained, “The fact that speakers, Professor Kader Asmal from South the National Water Act placed the Reserve above Africa and Sandra Postel from USA. Both provided industry and irrigation does not mean that these insightful, challenging and positive views from the sectors are less important, it just emphasises that outside looking in. there are constraints to development set by the Almost a year to the day after the conference I environment, and we need to recognise those heard of the passing of Kader Asmal. We were indeed limitations, a key principle in sustainability”. most fortunate to have heard from such an eloquent, One evening last year, Kader was guest of honour outspoken and colourful character as Kader. at a parliament, this time in NSW rather South Africa.

He urged those attending the Water Leaders Dinner to take a greater world leadership role.

“The management of our precarious and dwindling water resource is likely to be the barometer for managing the economy in general under conditions of resource constraints. Are we up to this test? I hope so.”

Both our international guests were impressed with Australia’s progress and the level of discussion across the industry. With so many challenges and so much happen on the home front it’s easy for us to get self absorbed. What we are doing is leading the world in many areas of water management. We are being watched!

It would be a fitting tribute to Kader Asmal if we could increase the cooperation between Australia and South Africa to expand our connections beyond rugby and cricket to learn from each other with respect to water management.

I will leave the last words to Kader.

“I also propose a trade. Please send back our water sector professionals – we need them at home – and you can take all your eucalypts and wattles back.”

Kelvin Montagu, Colo Consulting

Fully Automatic Self Cleaning Screen Filters (50-350mm)

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BUSINESS Tax checklist It’s that time of year again – time to get all your financial information together for the annual trip to the accountant. To help you with what you need to chase up, the Institute of Public Accountants

has put together this checklist. You can find out more about the institute at their website www.publicaccountants.org.au

Small business tax checklist Source: www.publicaccountants.org.au

INFORmation you will need to provide to your accountant: Income

Assets

Income from sales and services

 A list of business assets showing date of purchase,

 Bank statements listing deposits, debtors and Quickbooks/MYOB files  Cashbook records including withdrawals for the business

price, hire or lease details  A list of repairs or maintenance to business assets Motor vehicles (if used by business)  F uel, oil, registration and repair expenditures plus

Bank, building society, investment and term deposit accounts

engine size of vehicle  L og books and odometer readings for the

 Include bank statements listing received interest

financial year

Rental properties

Travel expenses

 Statements of rent

 P rovide travel diary and other documentation

Share trading statements

Employees

 Statements of shares plus dividends

 P ayment summaries and annual reconciliation

Disposal of plant and property  Dates and values of purchases and sales

for salaries and wages  S uper contributions made for each employee and

 Description of your assets

director

Capital gains

Rental properties

 A list of assets acquired which were sold in the

 D etails of all expenditure incurred and details of rent

tax year

paid by the business

 A list of additions or improvements to assets

 D ate of purchase of rental property as per contract

Assessable Government and other payments

Leased plant and motor vehicles

 Details of Government industry payments

 A list of all plant and motor vehicles leased including

Annual turnover

Superannuation contributions

Other income

 N ame of fund, policy number and contributions paid

 Bank statements, recepts, invoices, cashbook records

Other expenses  P etty cash

EXPENSES

Miscellaneous

Loans

 B ank statement with BSB number, account name

 Provide statements for loans owing, with an end

and account number

of financial year balance and interest paid on

 Value of opening stock on hand for the financial year

those loans.

 I nvoices showing value of purchases made

Insurance

Keeping current in employment $s in the new financial year

www.irrigear.com.au

The largest group of independently owned irrigation stores in Australia. .

National coverage

.

Technical knowledge and expertise

.

Strong relationships with preferred suppliers

.

Local community support initiatives

expenses

 A calculation of annual turnover

 Details of policies and premiums

Over 55 stOres AustrAliA wide

throughout the year  Value of work in progress at June 30.

What all employers should know in the new financial • year (1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012)

• High Income Threshold (for unfair dismissal

purposes) – $118,100 a year • • Federal Minimum Wage – $589.30 a week

• Maximum compensation for successful unfair dismissal claim – $59,050 • Maximum superannuation contribution base:

$175,280 a year (which equates to a maximum superannuation contribution of $15,775.20 a year) Tax Free limit on genuine redundancy payment: $8,435.00 plus $4,218.00 for each completed year of service Transitional arrangements in modern awards are adjusted +/-20%.

Source. Kemp Strang e-newsletter,

For all your pumping and irrigation requirements, call your local Irrigear Store 1300 IRRIGEAR (local call cost) DO M E STI C . CO M M E RCIAL AGRI CULTURAL . I N DUST RIAL

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July 2011, www.kempstrang.com.au

SPRING 2011

45

IRRIGATION INSIGHTS All about fertigation Fertigation is gaining popularity because of its efficiencies in nutrient management, time and labour and potentially greater control over crop performance.

Pros and cons Advantages The advantages of supplying mineral nutrients to crop roots using fertigation include: • reduced delivery costs (no need to broadcast fertilisers, leading to less soil compaction in the inter-row areas, less fuel usage and lower labour requirements) • greater control over where and when nutrients are delivered, leading to more efficient fertiliser use • more control over crop behaviour through targeted application of specific nutrients during particular stages of crop development • potential for reduced fertiliser losses (due to immobilisation within or leaching below the rootzone) by supplying small amounts often.

Disadvantages These include: • higher capital costs associated with the equipment needed to dissolve and inject the fertiliser into the irrigation water • higher operating costs associated with using technical grade fertilisers as opposed to agricultural grade fertilisers.

• chemical reactions between some types of fertilisers when mixed, potentially causing significant equipment blockages.

The supply of dissolved mineral nutrients to plant roots has been a research tool for at least 100 years. It was first applied practically in the 1940s as hydroponics. Fertigation is a natural extension of the hydroponics concept, and is now widely practised in horticultural industries, particularly permanent plantings of crops such as citrus, olives and almonds.

Fertigation is most successful when combined with drip irrigation.

Equipment The level of sophistication and associated capital cost of fertigation equipment vary greatly.

potassium (K) — that are supplied using this method, and calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) less often.

Sulphur (S) is often inadvertently supplied when fertilisers such as potassium sulphate and magnesium sulphate, are used to supply K and Mg, respectively.

Using fertigation to supply the other essential micronutrients such as boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) is possible, but these nutrients are generally applied as foliar sprays because only small amounts are needed.

Forms of fertilisers

Technical grade fertilisers, rather than agricultural grade, are normally required in fertigation Many fertigation systems are designed with three systems because they have fewer impurities and mixing tanks to allow the supply of up to three proportionally higher levels of the desired mineral different fertiliser mixes in a single irrigation, but at nutrients. The problem with impurities is that they different times during that irrigation. Sometimes only can be insoluble, leading to dripper blockages a single tank is used, with different fertilisers being Single-, double- and triple-strength supplied in different irrigation shifts. superphosphate and rock phosphate cannot be Using multiple tanks reduces the time required to used in fertigation systems. manage a system, and makes it easier to supply small Fertilisers suitable for use in fertigation systems doses of different fertilisers during every irrigation come as technical grade salts (e.g. potassium event without having to replenish each tank often. sulphate), acids (e.g. nitric acid), bases (e.g. potassium It’s important to allow enough time for one fertiliser hydroxide), polymers (e.g. polyphosphate) to be flushed through the system before another or chelates (e.g. iron EDTA). They are almost fertiliser is introduced exclusively injected into the irrigation water already Control systems in solution (i.e. pre-dissolved in water).

Various control units are available that allow Insoluble sources of calcium (Ca) are an exception to irrigation pumps to be turned on at pre-set times, this rule. For example, gypsum, which is sometimes for irrigation sections to be turned on and off according to a pre-determined program, and that control when and how much of each fertiliser mix is to be injected into the irrigation water.

Equipment is also available to monitor and modify the electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the water/nutrient mix. EC is often used as an indirect measure of the amount of fertiliser being injected into the irrigation water; higher EC readings are indicative of high amounts of fertiliser being injected.

Mixing tanks

Fertilisers Multiple mixing tanks allow the supply of different fertilisers in the one irrigation shift.

46

While all mineral nutrients can be supplied to plant roots using fertigation, it is usually only the major nutrients — nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and

PVC pipes taking separate dissolved fertilisers to the injection point.

used to help remove excessive amounts of sodium ions (Na+) from the soil profile and improve soil structure, can also be introduced into the irrigation water. However, it must be very finely ground and the source tank constantly agitated to prevent settling of the fine particles and to prevent dripper blockage.

The amount of each fertiliser that can be completely dissolved in a given volume of water is different and highly dependent on the temperature of the water. Less of a given fertiliser can be dissolved in cold water (i.e. <5°C) than can be dissolved in warm water (i.e. >15°C). There are guides and charts available on the amount of various fertilisers that can be dissolved in a given volume of water as a function of the temperature of that water.

Another potential problem with fertigation systems is with the mixing of fertilisers. There is the potential for negatively charged ions (anions) from one fertiliser to react with positively charged ions (cations) from another fertiliser to form an insoluble precipitate (clump). This can lead to clogging problems in the irrigation system. The major danger lies with calcium (Ca2+) which forms insoluble precipitates with phosphate (PO43–) or sulphate (SO42–).

Compatibility and mixing charts for different fertilisers are available.

Open hydroponics Fertigation approaches vary from simply using the irrigation water to supply the basic nutrients (i.e. N, P and K) in a few applications per year while still relying on the soil to supply all other nutrients, through to those that supply the crop’s complete nutrient needs in small doses sometimes on a daily basis.

In the latter approach (daily irrigations) the soil essentially only provides the mechanical support for the crop's roots and acts as a storage bank for the water and nutrients added. This approach has become known as ‘open hydroponics’.

Another feature of this approach may include adjusting the pH of the irrigation water/nutrient mix; a practice known as ‘pH trimming’.

Some open hydroponic systems have fewer drippers per plant, and water is applied more often in very short irrigations (pulsing). This results in a much smaller proportion of the available rootzone being wetted, confining root growth to the wet soil. For example, under open hydroponics, citrus roots can be confined to a root volume as small as 0.5 m3 compared to 6 to 10 m3 under conventional irrigation/fertigation.

The reduced root volume also means that the amount of water held in that soil volume is much less, so the interval between field capacity and wilting point, i.e. the time interval between irrigation events, is much shorter compared to conventional irrigation. With open hydroponics soil moisture monitoring and the ability to supply water on demand are critical to prevent trees suffering water stress.

The major potential benefit of open hydroponics is better control over the delivery of water and nutrients to the plant roots due to the restricted volume of wetted soil. However, it is also potentially the weakest link because a very high level of management skill and greater capital investment are required when using open hydroponics compared to simpler approaches. Anything less than best management can very quickly lead to major problems, ranging from reduced yield and quality through to crop death. Cutting corners on equipment may mean that some potential efficiencies are not made.

Using fertigation to manage crop performance needs to be based on a good knowledge of when and to what extent each mineral nutrient is taken up by the crop’s roots and how it affects crop growth, development, and yield. With some open hydroponics systems, which essentially ignore soil fertility, this knowledge is even more critical. There is a tendency to assume that all crops behave similarly, but this is not the case, and there are still major knowledge gaps in this area for specific crops. Another gap in technology is the ability to measure crop

nutrient status in ‘real time’, and to interpret that information correctly and use it to manage the fertigation system.

Good management critical Fertigation potentially offers many advantages over conventional approaches to managing a crop’s fertiliser needs. It needs to be remembered that while it is an exciting and potentially profitable addition to horticultural production systems, it also requires significant investment in equipment, advanced management skills, constant monitoring and an understanding of the specific crop’s nutrient needs.

About the authors Michael Treeby, Research Horticulturist, NSW DPI, Dareton Primary Industries Institute, NSW; Steven Falivene, Citrus Extension Officer, NSW DPI, Dareton Primary Industries Institute, NSW; and Mark Skewes, Research Officer, South Australia Research and Development Institute, Loxton Research Centre, SA.

Acknowledgments Images courtesy of NSW DPI. This article was taken from PrimeFact 1089, an output of a project supported by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation, I&I NSW and SARDI. Michael Treeby, Steven Falivene and Mark Skewes

SPRING 2011

47

Improved Technology Automatic self-cleaning filters: state of the art in filtration Self-cleaning water filters How they work Self-cleaning screen filters use system pressure to are the optimal choice for clean themselves. A rigid cylinder screen strains most industrial, municipal particles from the water source, trapping debris on the inside. This layer of build-up causes differential and irrigation applications.

They are reliable, require low pressure across the inlet and outlet. A controller monitors the filter and opens a flush valve when it maintenance, have a short senses adequate differential pressure. This creates rapid flow through the internal cleaning apparatus, cleaning cycle, waste very which “vacuums” any build-up from the screen little flush water, are easy and expels it. to install in new or existing A unique characteristic of self-cleaning screen filters is that the cleaning cycle does not require systems, and do not interrupt the entire system flow to stop and reverse, as is main flow during the the case for many other types of filters. Instead, backwash cleaning cycle. a point-of-suction backwash reverses flow across the screen, only directly in front of suction nozzles.

This allows the cleaning mechanism to move along and clean the screen incrementally and powerfully, without disrupting the main flow through the filter.

Filter selection It is recommended to choose a screen element that is appropriate for the application. For example, if a water filter is needed to protect spray nozzles, a filtration degree of 100-200 micron is enough.

Using finer filtration than that would require increasing the screen area. Waste disposal costs are often overlooked when implementing quick solutions. Sand or media filters can take up to 10 minutes per backwash and upwards of 4500 L during one cleaning cycle. However, water frugal automatic self-cleaning water filters require minimal flow (as little as 90 L) per cleaning cycle, even in models that flow up to 90,000 L/minute.

The table summarises the features of filters that are used in the industry.

Advantages Low maintenance

Self-cleaning filters incorporate mechanisms that eliminate the need for routine maintenance

Filter type

Efficiency

Cost

Installation/operation

Size

Degree of filtration

Maintenance

Automatic: self-cleaning screen filter

High. Flush water volume is very low and flush time is fast – 4 to 16 seconds

Med-High

Easy. Automatic operation does not interrupt system flow during the rinse cycle

Small

5 micron

Low

Gravity “Coanda Effect” screen

Low. Cannot be used in pressurised systems

Low

Easy

Large

200 micron and up

Requires periodic cleaning

Bag and cartridge

High

Med-High

Easy

Small

Sub micron

Labour intensive.

Requires bag or cartridge change outs

Media (sand)

High. However, flush water volume is large and flush time can be very high- as much as 10 minutes or more

Med-High

Twin systems are required for uninterrupted automatic operation

Large

5 micron

Requires periodic media changes

Centrifugal

High. Batch or continuous low flush water

Low

Suitable for full-time automatic operation

Small-med

Captures down to 75 micron but cannot filter particulates below ~ 1.1 S.G Cannot filter algae and is flow sensitive

Tangential screen

Low. Require high flow cleaning cycle

Low

Can be adapted to automatic operation

Small

Labour intensive.

Requires periodic screen removal and pressure clean

48

by automating the cleaning cycle. Differential pressure is monitored by the controller which initiates the backwash cycle automatically, resulting in reduced maintenance time and operating costs.

Manual washes, spray downs, filter, cartridge and bag replacements become unnecessary.

Basic bi-annual or annual inspection (depending on particle load) replaces the need for daily, weekly or monthly shutdowns.

Dependable

Self-cleaning filters are a dependable choice, where reduced power and flushing water consumption are desired. Automatic self-cleaning filters are technologically more advanced than older style ”back-flush” filters and can be provided in a variety of metals from steel to stainless steel and more exotic alloys such as duplex and super duplex stainless steel or titanium, or even in GRP for brackish water, sea water or super saline applications.

Continuous operation

Debris collects inside the filter’s stainless steel screen. When differential pressure initiates the automatic cleaning cycle, flow reversal occurs at the

point of suction rather than throughout the entire filter. This provides an important advantage in that it allows for continuous flow throughout the filter for the duration of each backwash cycle.

Short cleaning cycle.

Automatic self-cleaning water filters can require as little as four seconds to perform a full screen cleaning wash cycle. Other filter technologies, such as sand or bag and cartridge filters may need several hours to complete their cleaning cycle, with a corresponding increase in the volume of flushing water.

Clean pipes

Scale build up in a piping system can cause a dramatic reduction in the internal bore of a pipe, resulting in more energy being required to pump the same volume of water. Installing automatic self-cleaning water filters stops this, prolongs the life of a piping system and saves energy.

Paul Earl, Global Valves and Engineering, Seven Hills NSW

Certification ARE YOU A CERTIFIED IRRIGATION PROFESSIONAL? Certified irrigation professionals are people who are certified in IAL's Certification Program in one or more of the seven areas of certification.

Certification is an industry-owned and managed recognition scheme. Certification is a voluntary, national program of industry recognition covering seven occupations of designing, contracting, installing, operating, managing, retailing and providing advice.

By becoming a certified irrigation professional, you’ll be helping to lift the skills, knowledge and standards of the whole industry – which in turn will help the irrigation industry control its own future and become more sustainable. There are personal benefits too – as a certified irrigation professional you’ll gain recognition for your skills and better prospects for your future career.

IAL certification is available for: • certified irrigation manager • certified irrigation operator • certified irrigation contractor • certified irrigation installer • certified irrigation agronomist • certified irrigation retailer • certified irrigation designer.

For more information check out the IAL website

Figure. How self-cleaning filters work

wwwirrigation.org.au and go to the Certification page.

SPRING 2011

49

Improved Technology Technology key to modernised irrigation schemes The innovative marriage of sensing equipment to remotely manage irrigation and stock water and a camera to visually monitor a pump site will lead to important water and labour savings for the Marthaguy Irrigation Scheme in western NSW.

Where water goes in australia Water serves a lot of masters in Australia. This graphic shows where it went in 2008-09.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Water Account, Australia, 2008-09 website www.abs.gov.au

ECONOMY

WATER PROVIDERS Eg. Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Service Industry as well as some Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity businesses

Distributed Water 8,982 GL

Sewage and other wastewater (not quantified)

Reuse Water 318 GL

WATER USERS Household Agriculture Mining Manufacturing and other industries Also includes use by Water Providers

Regulated discharge 47,459 GL Includes instream use of Supplied to Unregulated 45,365 GL environment discharge (eg. Hydro772 GL (not SELFelectric quantified) Unregulated EXTRACTED generation) discharge SELFWATER (not EXTRACTED 9,673 GL quantified) WATER 50,166 GL

Environment

50

The irrigation scheme, which is managed by Darling Irrigation, supplies water for irrigation and stock and domestic purposes to 23 landholders north of Warren in NSW. Like many similar schemes in the state, it pumps river water through open channels which suffer water loss as a result of evaporation and seepage.

Darling Irrigation has received $9.5 million through the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program (PIIOP) in NSW to rationalise the scheme’s channel system, and to install a separate stock and domestic water supply through a new pipeline system. The funding for this ‘Greening the Marthaguy’ project is part of the Federal Government’s Water for the Future fund.

The project will not only ensure that local landowners are using water wisely and taking action on climate change, it will also return water to the environment, including the Macquarie Marshes, near Dubbo.

An integral part of the successful installation proposal from Darling Irrigation is a monitoring system, supplied by Observant, which provides the scheme with the ability to remotely manage both irrigation and domestic water supply accurately and efficiently from the same software system.

As well, while technology for monitoring and managing pumps and water flow is not new, what is innovative about the system being used by Darling Irrigation is that a camera records still images at the remote pumping site. This means it can be visually checked without the need for daily site visits – ensuring gates are locked, there is no vandalism, and everything is working as it should.

The improved security as well as savings in travel and staff time will be significant for Darling Irrigation, which is currently installing the pipeline and monitoring technology. The new scheme is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

Prioritising funding for water savings The Marthaguy Irrigation Scheme upgrade combines a rationalised open channel with a new pipeline for stock and domestic water. The scheme can then get the most benefit from its investment, allowing members to receive stock and domestic

water on a continual, year-round basis, and removing the inefficient parts of the current channel to minimise the risk of water loss.

In addition, monitoring devices on the channel at the pump stations allow the scheme manager to reduce the time spent physically monitoring water flow and pumps, and lets him set alerts so any potential pump or channel issues can be fixed before precious water is lost.

Rationalising the infrastructure About 16 km of supply channel will be decommissioned, while 60 km of new piped stock and domestic supply and an improved channel management system will be put in place.

“This will be far more efficient,” says Glen Whittaker, Chairman of the Marthaguy Irrigation Scheme. “I expect water losses through the channel for irrigation will drop by at least thirty per cent, and the new pipeline will make it easier to control stock and domestic water.”

The open channel will only be used for irrigation during the season. Two monitoring units and level sensors, placed at approximately 10 km intervals along the channel, will relay information on water levels back to the pump station unit, and allow the scheme manager to access data and receive alerts from his PC or Smartphone. Six river pumps – two for stock and domestic and four for irrigation – can be started and stopped remotely, and will shut down automatically for pre-set conditions, such as a blockage in the channel or pipeline.

Monitoring units will keep tabs on the water flow at the pumps, and a camera will record still images at the remote pumping site. A monitoring unit mounted on an existing UHF tower will send all data and images back to the Warren base station by UHF. The data can be securely accessed and the site checked visually from the office at Warren so there will be no need for daily site visits. This will represent a big saving in time and costs for Darling Irrigation.

If they wish, the scheme operators can give access to their members or to State Water, so they can also check water levels and flow data.

“Basically, the scheme manager can monitor and operate the irrigation pumps from Warren,” explains

Sam Maroulis, manging director at Darling Harbour. “He can also monitor the irrigation channel levels at multiple points. Alarm functions allow for alerts to be sent

by SMS, for example, if the pumps shut down, or channel levels exceed a preset range.”

With a new pressurised pipeline system for stock and domestic water, monitoring water pressure and flow is essential to ensure that the system is operating efficiently and to minimise the risk of water loss. Because the pump site is isolated and not staffed all the time, this gives the irrigation scheme members confidence in their water supply.

“The greatest advantage of the telemetry is the ability to manage the system, especially turning pumps on and off, from town,” says Glen. “During a severe storm event, for example, there’ll be no need to drive to the site to check the pumps. It will make water management a lot easier.”

Seda Ertuna, Observant

The monitoring system links equipment in the field to a central base allowing data and images to be observed in real time. For the Marthaguy Irrigation Scheme, Observant Global™ services will allow the scheme operators to manage both the irrigation and domestic water supply.

Centrifugal Pump Protection Maric valves control flow to a constant pre-set rate regardless of pressure Ideal for preventing; Over-Pumping, Up-Thrust Damage and Cavitation Damage

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SPRING 2011

51

STATE ROUNDUP Windsor Inquiry into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan tabled The Windsor Inquiry into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Of Droughts and Flooding Rains, which was tabled in Parliament in June, included twenty-one recommendations. In summary, these recommendations were as follows: 1. The Commonwealth Government commission a study to identify all regulations and agreements in place that inhibit the efficient management of water in the MDB and work with the states to remove these regulations.

2. The MDBA apply greater rigour to assumptions made to develop the proposed sustainable diversion limits.

3. The MDBA improve data on groundwater availability, use and connectivity with surface water prior to proposing sustainable diversion limits.

4. The MDBA engage with the community in the development of the plan as well as clearly communicate the need and processes of the plan.

5. The Commonwealth Government develop separate community basin planning.

6. The Commonwealth Government ensure that the mining industry is placed under the same obligations as other water users in the MDB. 7. The Commonwealth Government immediately cease all non-strategic water purchase in the MDB. 8. The Government in all future water purchases be more responsive to proactive sellers and identify consequences for the community.

9. The Commonwealth Government focus greater investment in on- and off-farm water saving projects.

10. The Commonwealth Government assess the viability of environmental works and measures and implements viable measures as quickly as possible.

11. The Commonwealth Government in partnership with the Basin states develop a framework addressing the monitoring, compliance and enforcement of Basin water resource use.

12. The Commonwealth Government identify and rectify all impediments to irrigation investment in the taxation system.

13. The Commonwealth Government develop and implement options for tax-based incentives

52

for efficient irrigation investment as part of the Basin Plan.

14. The Commonwealth Government focus greater investment into the research and development to improve irrigation efficiency.

15. The Commonwealth Government establish a national water fund.

16. The Commonwealth Government consider establishing a national water fund manager.

17. The Commonwealth Government fund the development of a plan in partnership with the States for the implementation of the Basin Plan.

18. The Commonwealth Government seek agreement with Basin states on a cooperative model for developing water resource plans.

19. The Commonwealth Government clearly communicate to Basin communities the purpose and implementation of the Environmental Water Plan.

20. The Commonwealth Government establish a dedicated agency to be led by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.

21. The Commonwealth Government charge the National Water Commission with responsibility for auditing and reporting on the management and use of environmental water, and the transition to and implementation of the Basin Plan.

Commonwealth Government must respond to the recommendations within six months. To create the draft Basin Plan, the MDBA must: develop a draft and put it out for a 16-week public consultation period; then present the draft to the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council; and then present the draft plan to the Commonwealth minister responsible for water.

The minister can either adopt it or send it back to MDBA for amendment.

You can download the report from website. http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ra/ murraydarling/report.htm

Tasmania funds irrigation schemes Funding of $140 million has been allocated in Tasmania to complete irrigation schemes currently

under construction and start work on new projects over the next three years.

One of the thirteen projects to be funded is the biggest irrigation development ever undertaken in Tasmania to deliver water to farmers in the Midlands. The $88 million Midlands Irrigation Scheme should next year.

The Midlands scheme comes on the heels of the completion of the first major irrigation scheme, at Whitemore, which the Tasmanian Government said was an important milestone in its water development strategy. Two other major schemes, the Sassafras Wesley Vale Scheme in the north-west, and Headquarters Road in the north-east, will be up and running this year.

The government said that the irrigation infrastructure being rolled out now will provide more opportunities for farmers to expand and diversify their businesses and provide a significant boost to rural and regional communities.

New water R&D group launched A new collaborative group is bringing together key players within the Australian urban water community who undertake the role of research and development knowledge brokers, with an aim of sharing information on R&D and promoting knowledge and adoption of research outcomes to the industry.

The new group â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Australian Water Research and Development Coalition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; includes Water Quality Research Australia, the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence, Goyder Institute for Water, National Centre of Excellence for Desalination, National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, National Water Commission, Victorian Smart Water Fund, Urban Water Security Research Alliance, and Water Services Association of Australia.

Using these R&D knowledge brokers as a starting point, efforts are underway to explore the opportunity to design and implement a more cooperative and efficient national approach to urban water research investment and management.

For information about the forum contact Michele Akeroyd, email Michele.Akeroyd@wqra.com.au

Check out the world's first irrigation online portal, developed in Australia for the Austalian irrigation industry and housed on the IAL website. No more trawling websites to find the information you want. Just type in your query and Irrigation Essentials does the work for you.

Irrigation essentials

You find it at the IAL website www.irrigation.org.au under the RESOURCES tab.

Queensland streamlines water planning The Queensland government recently introduced reforms in State Parliament aimed at reducing review times for water resource planning by up to two years.

The changes to the state’s Water Act 2000 will mean that water resource plans and resource operations plans that were previously developed separately will now be done together, streamlining the process. These changes reflect the recommendations of a recent independent review and stakeholder feedback.

The government said that now plans are in place across most of the state’s major catchments, reviews can happen as quickly as possible and the community consultation process will be improved. This is because the community will now be able to comment on changes to strategic catchment-wide goals, and see what this means for individual water users.

Changes to the water resource planning framework have been designed to be consistent with the Commonwealth Water Act 2007 and the National Water Initiative.

NSW protects aquifers

A new interim aquifer interference regulation takes effect from 1 July 2011 in NSW. This regulation requires new mining and petroleum exploration activities that take more than 3 ML per year from groundwater sources to hold a water access licence. The state government said that this reform is an important step towards ensuring equitable sharing of groundwater among all water users.

A draft aquifer interference policy is also being developed by the NSW Office of Water as part of the NSW government's Strategic Regional Land Use Policy. This policy aims to strike a balance between the state’s important agricultural, mining and energy sectors, while ensuring the protection of high value conservation lands.

The draft aquifer interference policy will be placed on public exhibition to allow feedback from stakeholders. Following consultation with the community, the policy will be finalised and new regulations enacted.

The final NSW Aquifer Interference Policy will be applied state wide to clarify water licence and approval requirements for aquifer interference activities.

WA winter sprinkler ban ends August 31 The winter sprinkler ban in WA is a permanent water efficiency measure commencing each year on 1 June and ending 31 August.

The ban applies to the Perth/Mandurah and South West areas, including Albany, and affects domestic garden bores, scheme and over 600 licensed water users. These licensed water users include local governments, schools, golf courses, government departments, universities, TAFE campuses, major parks, race grounds and businesses irrigating areas of non-commercial turf, lawn and gardens.

'Active' sporting areas such as school and local government ovals are allowed limited irrigation during winter due to their frequent use and the value they provide to the wider community.

Garden bore users in the rest of the state can water once per day, outside the hours of 9am to 6pm.

There are a number of automatic exemptions from the winter sprinkler ban and the watering day rosters, including exemptions for those people employed in the turf, garden and landscaping industries. As well, people establishing a new lawn or garden, may be eligible for an exemption.

SA and Victoria: we’re not going to court The Victorian and SA Government agreed on a mutually acceptable settlement to do with water trade in June this year so now they aren’t heading off to court.

In 2009, the SA government decided to pursue a legal challenge to restrictions on water trade out of Victoria. Victoria now has voluntarily removed its 10% absolute cap on water trade out of a district. It has also struck an agreement with the Federal Government to allow the purchase of water for environmental purposes, and has reaffirmed the agreement to lift the 4% annual cap by 30 June 2014.

These moves lessened some of SA’s concerns with Victoria’s water trading rules.

Through negotiation the two governments have reached an agreement that gives SA the right to buy water from Victoria to meet any potential shortfall in critical human needs supply. The states have also agreed that Victoria will immediately sign the relevant schedules under the Murray-Darling Basin agreement which provide SA with permanent rights to store water in upstream storages such as the Hume and Dartmouth dams.

This will enable SA to develop a long term carry over policy for its irrigators and critical human needs.

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ICID INSIGHTS China hosts water saving workshop Willem Vlotman, Vice President ICID, Chairman ICID National Committee of Australia (ICID-NCA) As part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Jogyakarta (October 2010) between ICID and the Chinese National Committee, two events were organised by the Chinese National Committee of the ICID. The first was to have a workshop on Water-saving Irrigation and Food Security, and the second to officially opening and establishing the China Research and Training Centre of International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID).

The water saving workshop was held in Beijing from 11 to 14 July 2011. Its objective was to present water saving techniques, works and projects from around the world to advance the science and technology of water saving. Twelve countries and three international organisations were represented.

The workshop comprised two days of intensive presentations and official meetings and dinners, followed by two days of technical field trips mixed with tourist activities. Fifty-five official invitees participated and another fifty plus observers attended the workshop.

The changes that have occurred in China since my first ICID visit in 1991, my second in 2005 and now in 2011 are very impressive.

As one of the participants of the workshop mentioned, the dragon has awoken, from being a communist country experiencing spring in 1991 to now being a socialist country with a strong business oriented economy and celebrating its 90th birthday of the Communist Party. Beijing rivals any major city in the world as far as facilities are concerned. Because they did not have to cope with major existing old infrastructure (most new development is in former rural areas outside Beijing city proper), city officials could start afresh in many cases, applying the latest technologies and insights for mega city planning.

Presentations review uptake of water saving technology While most presentations were traditional overviews of achievements in the field of irrigation modernisation and methodologies to save water at basin, system and farm scale, a number went beyond reporting the accepted approaches to water savings such as moving from furrow irrigation to sprinkler, 54

to low pressure systems, or to drip/trickle irrigation.

A study of research articles published the last ten years in leading irrigation journals (seven international journals, including ICID’s own, and four Chinese journals) showed that from 2000 to 2005 the number of articles dealing with irrigation technologies increased, but has declined since then. The division of papers over irrigation technologies is shown in the table.

It will be interesting to compare these numbers with trends in irrigation technology uptake by farmers of the various technologies.

Concern about the uptake of irrigation technologies by farmers was expressed in the presentations from Australia and India. In Australia the jury is still out on the success of recently commenced modernisation and water saving projects and programmes (NVIRP, G-MW, DSEWPaC and MDBA). From India the results of the Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FRARP) were presented. The reported impacts of FRARP from more than 2500 demonstration meetings were: water savings of from 5 to 80%; and yield increase from 5 to 166%. In India the result of sustainable uptake by farmers is still to be investigated and determined.

A number of countries indicated that there was still much scope to expand and take up modern irrigation technologies. In India 3.5 million ha was converted to micro-irrigation compared with a potential of 69.5 million ha; and in China 93% of agricultural land is under surface irrigation and only 5% and 2% under sprinkler and drip; world wide these numbers are 79%, 18% and 3% respectively. In Niger 100,000 ha out of potentially 270,000 ha are under irrigation.

Both Iran and China stressed the linkage between population, arable land, water resource availability and food production capabilities, and highlighted

Workshop participants scattered among millions of Chinese tourists on the Great Wall of China, near Badaling.

that in many countries systems are under tremendous stress to produce large quantities of food from relatively small agricultural land areas. This was particularly evident in regions with mega cities, emphasising the need for water saving irrigation.

Presentations from Uzbekistan, Niger and Australia highlighted water saving efforts to reverse ecological decline along rivers and terminal lakes.

Australia’s works and measures, where the same ecological outcome is achieved with about one third of the water that would otherwise be required under natural conditions, drew attention at the workshop from various countries and the FAO.

Technology field trips Day one of the field trips saw us travelling to the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (CIWHR) laboratories at the Daxing Irrigation Experimental Station, where we observed models of major spillways and dams in China, and experiments to determine uniformity of water distribution under different sprinklers and field tests with computerised intelligent precision irrigation control. Next was a visit to the Beijing Laosong Melon Garden to see the latest on greenhouse production,

Table. Percentage of articles on irrigation technologies in major irrigation journals in the USA, Europe and China, 2000 – 2011 (Li 2011).

International journals

Chinese journals

Range

Average

Range

Average

Sprinkler irrigation

6.3 – 36.6

22.1

5.3 – 21.0

11.8

Micro irrigation

25 – 62.5

50.1

34.1 – 62.6

54.8

Surface irrigation

9.9 – 31.3

19.7

9.3 – 28.7

19.9

Others

1.4 – 25.0

8.1

6.3 – 20.7

13.5

followed by a visit to set of rented greenhouses used by an enterprising group of farmers to grow chrysanthemums for export to Japan.

After starting day two with climbing the Great Wall of China, we visited the “Floriade” of Beijing, a major permanent horticulture demonstration park, officially known as the International Flower Port and Energy Centre. Ten per cent of the area is hard cover; runoff from this area is enough to supplement annual rainfall to meet the evapotranspiration needs of the remaining 90% of the area under cultivation.

This makes the park water self-sufficient. In another technological innovation, plants for outdoors are nursed in the greenhouses, which are heated by geothermal energy.

Next was a visit to the water-saving irrigation demonstration complex of the Ministry of Water Resources. All irrigation technologies are tested, including a Rubicon flume and slip gate. Special pressure-regulated driplines are manufactured at this complex as well.

IPTRID – China The China Research and Training Centre of International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) was launched 12 July 2011 in Beijing. The centre is the first national IPTRID centre to have been established (see also IPTRID2 Activity, Irrigation Australia journal, autumn 2011, Volume 26, No. 04, p. 43).

The inaugural function was attended by ICID President Chandra Madramootoo; President Honoraire of ICID Aly Shadyl; Secretary General M. Gopalakrishnan; ICID vice presidents Willem Vlotman (Australia) and A.K. Bajaj (India); vice presidents honoraire Karim Shiati (Iran), Cai Lingen (China) and Gao Zhanyi (China); Thierry Facon (FAO); and representatives

Important dates for your diary Date

Place and country

Details Deadline for papers. All deadlines have passed but do not hesitate to propose a paper or presentation for one of the work body meetings; even last-minute proposals will generally be entertained by the work body; please contact the chair person of the work body, found at www.icid.org Workbodies

23 -25 August 2011

Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Special Interest Group meeting ICID-NCA scheduled. For final details see the IAL2011 website. For suggesting topics for discussion contact the IAL office.

Email: IAL2011@saneevent.com.au

15 – 23 October 2011

Tehran, Iran

62nd IEC meeting of ICID 21st ICID Congress 8th International Micro-Irrigation Congress

March 2012

Marseille, France

WWF6 6th World Water Forum http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index. php?id=6th_forum_kick-off For more information contact Willem F. Vlotman at willem.vlotman@mdba.gov.au.

24 – 30 June 2012

Adelaide, Australia

63rd IEC meeting of ICID 7th Asian Regional Conference IAL 2012 Conference and Exhibition Deadline for abstracts is November 2011 www.irrigation.org.au or email: IAL2012@saneevent.com.au

October 2013

Antalya, Turkey

64th IEC meeting of ICID 8th Asian Regional Conference E: tucid@dsi.gov.tr

October 2014

Seoul, Korea

65th IEC meeting of ICID 22nd ICID Congress www.icid2014.org

IEC – International Executive Council, annual ICID meeting ICID – International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, New Delhi India IAL – Irrigation Australia Ltd, Sydney Australia

of national committees of Canada, Malaysia, Mali, Niger, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, and Uzbekistan. The centre occupies the two ground floors of residential flats and has around 60 staff fully funded by the Chinese authorities. ICID President Chandra Madramootoo promoted this development as the preferred example and future model for cooperative research between ICID and its national committees and complimented China on this achievement.

Acknowledgments. Thanks to Mary Harwood (DSEWPAC), Murray Smith (NVIRP), Ian Moorhouse and Peter Egglestone of G-MW, Peter Toome of IAL and Tapas Biswas (MDBA, on behalf of water saving projects in SA) for providing

Electronic weighing catch cans linked to a computer to measure sprinkler uniformity at the IWHR Daxing Irrigation Experimental Station.

material for presentation at the Beijing workshop, and to the Chinese national committee and the Honourable Minister Chen Lei of the Ministry of Water Resources, China, for providing the funds to attend the workshop.

Photos. By Willem F. Vlotman and Mrs Joomi Zan Noordin, Malaysian National Committee.

Reference. Li, Jiusheng. 2011. Research on Water Savings irrigation technologies in China, a comparative review from recently 10 yrs publications. Power Point presentation at Workshop on Water-saving Irrigation and Food Security, Beijing, July 11 – 14, 2011.

IAL – Irrigation Australia Ltd, Sydney Australia

Concrete framed, plastic-covered greenhouse with drip and sprinkler irrigation, heating and lighting to enhance uniformity and speed of growth of chrysanthemums for export to Japan.

SPRING 2011

55

New Products & Services Universal Pumps New player in the race for domestic irrigation efficiency.

Ashley Chaplyn. “The introduction of the Universal WaterBug will not only give consumers choice, Universal Pumps has launched a brand new water it is also a fantastic add-on product to complement rotor valve, the Universal WaterBug rotor valve, for our award winning GreyFlow grey water use with irrigation systems, grey water diversion diversion systems.” systems and rainwater tank/pumping systems.

The WaterBug uses intelligent technology to With households experiencing rising costs in both control the flow of water out to sprinkler or driplines, water and electricity, the WaterBug is a low cost, without the need for solenoid valves. The flow of highly reliable option for irrigating the garden and is water from the inlet is switched to each of the lines in powered by water supplied from rainwater tanks, grey a continuous sequential process. No electrical power water systems or even the garden tap. or other mechanics are required.

The WaterBug controls the flow of tap water, Coupled with water saving, sustainable products rain water or grey water to irrigate the garden such as grey water diversion systems and rainwater through either sprinkler or dripline irrigation tanks, the WaterBug promotes a green garden all year systems. Its one-valve, innovative system operates around, even when water restrictions are in place. sequentially for up to six stations and offers improved And its even dispersal means the risk of soil nutrient performance by splitting flows and reducing loading is reduced. operating rates.

When used with irrigation systems, the WaterBug “For over 35 years there has been only one can be set up with either a tap timer as a cost effective option available only for water rotation valves,” option or with automatic control systems, lowering says Universal Pumps’ National Sales Manager pipe size requirements and reducing infrastructure

56

costs (up to 30% in many cases). The WaterBug can also be used for repairs or extensions.

For more information about the WaterBug, contact Joanne Stewart, phone 08 9249 7599, email stewartj@adgglobalsupply.com

Power Equipment

Triangle Waterquip

SE Power and Power Equipment – a long working relationship.

Fully automatic self-cleaning water filters released

For many years now SE Power has used Yanmar engines in their production of diesel generating sets, lighting towers and pumping sets.

SE Power is well known throughout Australia and overseas for manufacturing premium quality products that are built to Australia’s high standards.

To be able to continually provide a premium build, premium quality components are a must.

That’s why SE Power is now using JCB DieselMax engines to provide the power for their larger range of megapumps. Yanmar engines are still being used in the smaller sizes.

The first two larger pump sets have been built using the JCB444IPU-NA diesel engine.

This is a four cylinder, 4.4 L, water-cooled, naturally-aspirated diesel that delivers 81 H.P at 2200 rpm. It is close couple to a Selwood D200 eight inch de-watering pump that can pump 165 L per second at a 37.5 m of head. The fuel tank skid base has enough fuel for a full 24 hours of operation.

Custom bases can be manufactured if longer running time is required.

Triangle Waterquip is excited by the release and distribution of the FILTAWORX® range of fully automatic self cleaning screen filters, designed, tested and built in Australia.

FILTAWORX® has combined over 25 years of experience in water filtration coupled with the latest in 3D CAD software and an engineering team to develop the next generation in fully automatic self cleaning screen filters.

As a result of a range of environmental and water issues, FILTAWORX® has responded to an increasing market demand to develop, design and build a locally produced automatic screen filter that will suit local conditions.

The first criterion was to manufacture the filter with a stainless steel body, and all wetted parts from corrosion resistant materials. The second was to achieve a 10 bar operating pressure rating as standard, and the third to develop a filter robust and reliable enough to withstand local conditions.

The filters are available in sizes from 50 to 250 mm, with screen aperture options of 50 to 800 microns. The 50 to 100 mm filters are available in 90 degree inlet outlet configuration, with the 100 to 250 mm filters available in online configuration, with parallel inlet outlet ports and supplied complete with a 25 mm air valve.

The standard method of control will be hydraulic where the backwash is instigated by pressure differential also available is the optional electrical controls where the back wash can be instigated both by pressure differential and time.

All filters are supplied with a limited two-year warranty and a full technical manual, which is supported with full CAD and PDF drawings.

Full animations are available showing method of operation with all moving parts, and assembly exploded views.

For information go to website www.trianglewaterquip.com.au.

Megapumps can handle clean water, slurries, slimes, solid laden liquids, sludge and crude sewerage effectively and efficiently and have been designed and built to suit any site, be it on land or water.

The pumps are built to suit BMA mine spec and MDG15 electrical standards for mines Australia wide, especially NSW. SE Power have run extensive tests on this combination of diesel and pump and say they are very happy with the engine’s performance, commenting that it is very smooth and “sounds like it means business”.

For more information on the MEGAPUMP range or diesel driven generating sets and lighting towers, visit www.sepower.com.au or phone 1800 636 744.

RAINBIRD New Integrated sensor system gives golf courses complete control over their turf

Rain Bird Golf has introduced the all-new Integrated Sensor System™ (ISS), a multi-component soil sensing system that provides accurate snapshots of soil conditions and the ability to automatically adjust irrigation system run times.

It is suitable for both golf and landscape applications.

The ISS is the only sensing system in the industry that delivers real-time full central control integration. Its sensors send soil moisture, salinity and temperature data to the system’s Soil Manager software, which in turn works with the course’s existing central control system to automatically set individual station run times.

Each of the ISS’s data loggers collect and store data from up to eighteen sensors throughout the course and display that data on a large LCD screen with an extensive menu. The data logger transmits sensor readings to the Soil Manager software through a wireless mesh communication network. If the data logger is unable to communicate with the software because of distance or line-of-sight obstructions, information is routed through data repeaters

on the course to the computer. The number of repeaters installed on a course varies depends on its topography and the number of sensors installed.

The data logger also provides power to the sensors, eliminating the need for sensor batteries that will have to be replaced in a few years, making it necessary to dig up the greens. Superintendents can read sensor information at the data logger and immediately evaluate soil conditions without having to return to their office computers. The data logger backs up information on an SD card, preserving it if there is a power outage.

For information about the ISS, watch the flash demo at www.rainbird.com/ISS, or contact Rain Bird Australia Freecall 1800 424 044.

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New Products & Services John Holland Group Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Renewal Alliance

The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Renewal Alliance (MIARA) of Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI), John Holland, GHD and UGL, are undertaking an irrigation modernisation program in southern central NSW. As part of the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program (PIIOP) in NSW, the MIARA will minimise water losses for the benefit of both irrigators and the environment. It started in January 2011 and will be complete in 2016.

Works include the planning, optimisation and delivery of irrigation improvement projects encompassing pipelines, pump stations, replacement and/or refurbishment of open channel water supply systems, automation and other solutions, incorporating an integrated water delivery system. Infrastructure options will be developed after engaging with all stakeholders to ensure a fully integrated system is developed that meets the needs of MI and its customers.

John Holland is involved in this project for one of Australia’s most important agricultural areas, the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), which produces over a third of Australia’s food supply and is also home to more than 2 million residents. Although the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) is small in land size (660,000 ha or 0.6% of the MDB), the area is a significant contributor to food production. The alliance has over 3300 stakeholders. To deliver best practice in the delivery of major infrastructure to MI, the alliance has undertaken extensive community consultation in the area.

The MIARA is committed to meaningful engagement with MI’s customers and other stakeholders and is regularly engaging with the community throughout the options assessment process.

A range of engagement activities is being undertaken during the planning and development of the options including: • establishing a project reference group • one-on-one meetings and briefings

• general meetings as well as shed drop-in sessions • demonstrations and technical tours • regular newsletters and project fact sheets • 1800 phone line and program email address • reply paid postage • sms/email updates • website with feedback mechanism.

There is a dedicated stakeholder engagement team delivering these activities, and members are on hand to answer any questions. Collectively the team has decades of experience in water sector engagement; infrastructure planning, delivery and consultation; issues management; facilitation; media management; farmer liaison; and dispute resolution. The team welcomes comments and questions at any time throughout the project.

For more information go to the MIA Renewal Alliance website, www.miarenewal.com.au or phone Free Call 1800 894 969.

“Higher yielding areas can expect to see higher water and nutritional savings,’’ he said.

“The improved irrigation uniformity and nutrition management delivers the increased yields.

“Growers can apply just the right amount of water and the minimum amount of fertiliser, which thereby also minimises deep drainage and fertiliser losses to the environment. Because they have the ability to fertigate each week, they are able to reduce the risk of losses, like from an unexpected rainfall event.

“They are dosing nutrition in the right amounts at the right time so crops are able to reach maximum production with minimum losses. They are able to grow more with the same fertiliser applied traditionally and so are increasing their nutrient use efficiency.’’

Steve said a range of other benefits also included root development, crop dry-down before harvest and germination from the old rootstock after harvest.

David said that in addition to taking advantage of the numerous benefits drip irrigation offered, he was particularly interested in a system that could distribute the effluent byproduct from cane processing back into his production area.

“Reducing water consumption will be an objective, as well as getting water back on to cane as

areas are harvested and putting fertiliser on only as it is required.

“If we feed it just as it requires it, we should get fertiliser savings – and we should save on herbicides as well,’’ he said.

For information on drip irrigation systems, growers can contact Netafim Queensland State Manager Jeremy Evans, mobile 0417 584 581.

Netafim Interest in drip irrigation is being rekindled among Australian cane growers.

Drip irrigation was initially introduced in the industry in the early ‘90s, however, technologically advanced systems today now make it an attractive option for growers and its adoption is increasing rapidly around the world.

The first international drip irrigation sugarcane conference held recently by Netafim in Brazil highlighted the growing global interest and application of the technology.

The conference was attended independently

by Burdekin agricultural consultant Steve Attard and Ayr grower David Cox of Davco Farming, which grows cane over 2450 ha next to the Burdekin River.

Steve is helping a number of growers in the Burdekin region who have installed Netafim drip systems, particularly in relation to their nutrition planning and irrigation scheduling.

In the three years since the first farmer installed a drip system interest is increasing. Large-scale pilot studies conducted by Steve with several growers in this time have shown sugar yield increases of 20 to 40% and water savings of up to 50% compared with traditional furrow irrigation systems.

58

Agricultural consultant Steve Attard, Ayr cane grower David Cox, Davco Farming, and Netafim Business Development Manager Peter Durand pictured discussing the benefits of new drip irrigation technology in the cane industry.

Our specialist Water & Enviro business combines our national project management experience with our unique ability to establish award winning stakeholder engagement programs and deliver innovative construction solutions. We bring together our national knowledge and local suppliers to deliver cost effective and timely solutions to on-farm and off-farm irrigation modernisation projects including the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Renewal Alliance and the Hawkesbury Nepean River Recovery Program. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most successful water infrastructure deliverer, and our industry leading experts are supported by over 60 years of experience. If you have a key irrigation project on the horizon, think John Holland.

Find out more, visit us at johnholland.com.au We understand...

Water & Enviro | Civil Engineering | Social Infrastructure Minerals & Industrial | Energy | Mining | Tunnelling Rail | Aviation Services | Communications

New Products & Services Underhill

Philmac

Underhill introduces “Gulp™ Ultramax” high-capacity water removal pumps

Friatec revolutionises electrofusion saddles

Underhill’s expanding line of Gulp water removal pumps now features the Gulp™ UltraMax and Big Gulp™ UltraMax, which can displace from 30 to 45 L per minute.

Featuring a super smooth pumping action, the UltraMax models efficiently eliminate water from valve boxes, sprinklers or any other flooded area.

The Gulp UltraMax has a 35 cm pump chamber and a 46 cm outlet hose. It includes a 90 cm chamber and flexible outlet hoses in either 90 or 180 cm lengths. Both Gulps have durable pump shafts and are self-priming.

Contoured ergonomic handles provide a secure grip and smooth operation without impacting hands and knuckles.

A push-button cleaning system allows quick flushing of the pump chamber when the job is completed.

Underhill’s Gulp Series also includes the popular Gulp™ Syringe Ultra, a mini-model with 30 cm pump chamber and 12-oz stroke, a handy tool for small clean-ups. They are also useful for routine facility maintenance, including fountain, spa or restroom clean-out and pipe repair.

For more information, contact Better Methods, the Underhill distributor in Caringbah, Australia, phone 02 9524 5366, website www.bettermethods.com.au.

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In the irrigation industry large bore pipelines play an integral part providing the main central avenue for water transfer. However, there has always been a challenge to branch smaller irrigation pipelines off large bore pipelines, until now.

Friatec is a market leading manufacturer of electrofusion fittings for PE pipelines using the latest in technological developments. Philmac, the Australian distributor of Friatec, has announced the release of the Friatec range of Vacuum Technology (VT) top loading saddles.

VT incorporates the same principles already successfully applied in the existing range of Friatec top loading saddles while including the added benefit of vacuum technology. This helps to ensure the ever important consistent and equal contact between the fitting and pipe to ensure a complete seal during the electrofusion process.

So what’s behind Friatec’s new VT? • it is a natural progression from FRIATEC’s already successful top-loading (TL) technology, and the same principles are applied • it guarantees even pressure throughout the entire fusion zone, which is critical during the fusion and cooling process • installation provides safe, fast and an easy visual quality assurance check - the most important function for the installer/contractor as well as the engineers • V T fittings are opening a whole new window of opportunity for the fast and constantly growing Australasian PE market.

“Another benefit of VT is that it overcomes the usual issues when trying to tee off on pipe 630 mm OD pipe and above,” states product manager Richard Mckenzie.

Using VT technology means that rather than taking days to create a tee with couplers or flanges

on both sides, cut the pipe, drain all water, fuse the join and put it all back together, the same operation can be done within hours. This means branching of mainline PE pipelines is now faster, easier and more efficient, meaning an irrigation line can be up and running even faster.

Here’s how it works: • The fusion section of the VT saddle is concave in shape with embedded wires to provide a close fit with large bore PE pipe. The fusion zone is surrounded by a sealing O-ring to ensure the vacuum seal.

• W hen a VT saddle is put into position, then a sealing lid with a QA-pressure gauge is placed into the saddle’s spigot outlet. Now the whole area is air tight.

• The small vacuum pump is then connected to suck the air (-1bar) from the fusion area. The fitting is consequently compressed onto the pipe and fusion can start.

The range of Friatec VT saddles for 630 to 900 mm OD PE pipes with d160 mm spigot outlet rated PE100 SDR 17, PN10 are now available in the Australian market from Philmac.

For information contact Richard Mackenzie, phone 08 8300 9295, mobile 0409 282 108.

GEC New water trading product for buying carryover water

structural differences,” said Darren. “For example, Victorian irrigators can carryover water allocated to In May, Greeneye Markets launched its new Greeneye them from season-to-season, while irrigators in New Entitlement Carryover (GEC) water trading product, South Wales face significant limitations in relation to which provides irrigators in NSW and SA with a carryover and farmers in South Australia do not have simple, standardised and secure way to buy carryover the opportunity to carryover water at all.” water to use during the season starting July 2011.

GEC allows NSW, SA and Victorian irrigators in Chief Executive Officer of Greeneye Markets, the Southern Connected Murray-Darling Basin to Darren Lipton, said the GEC product is a first for buy temporary carryover water without affecting the Australian water market and is suited to the their existing or future water allocations. The current conditions of high water allocations in the advantage for irrigators who buy GEC is they can Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), low water prices and lock-in water for next season at historically low prices. high agricultural commodity prices. As a result of GEC is offered directly through participating water this year’s wet season in the MDB, a unique situation brokers. The irrigator with surplus water sells temporary has emerged where large surpluses of water are water allocations to Greeneye through a broker and it combined with significant carryover capacity and the is held securely in the seller’s water account and is not GEC provides a way of get this water in the hands of subject to ‘spill’. Through their broker, the buyer buys irrigators who need it. the water which is transferred to the buyer in the new “The water market in the Murray-Darling Basin season. A number of measures are in place to assure is increasingly integrated, but there are still some that the water is transferred to the buyer.

Mottech Water Management Mottech appoints new manager

Mottech Water Management, global distributor of Motorola for the IRRInet control and management solutions, announced in May that it had appointed Wayne Brown as its regional marketing and business development manager for Australia and New Zealand.

In this new position, Wayne will be responsible for Mottech's strategic sales and marketing activities with partners in the region. This is part of Mottech’s long-term strategy of strengthening its local presence in these territories and further developing the company’s involvement in the water management sectors and technologies, reflecting Mottech's long-term commitment to its customers in the region.

Wayne brings with him broad experience in the irrigation market's different sectors. In his last position he was Rain Bird's national sales and marketing manager, before which he managed various sales activities in different regions in APAC including China, Japan and Korea.

For the past 20 years, IRRInet systems have been successfully installed within the different sectors in the region such as agriculture, turf and landscape and water distribution, providing efficient water and irrigation control, substantial water and energy savings, increased crops and fast return on ROI. Filling this marketing leadership role is the next critical step in the continued maturation of our business goals in the region.

Wayne can be contacted on mobile +61 488 661036, email wayne@mottech.com .

“With plenty of water available at present and prices averaging around $5 a megalitre, irrigators may not be thinking about trading water. But with the irrigation season close to an end and some water allocations about to be forfeited, now is exactly the time to look at locking in some water for 2011-12,” said Darren.

The current low prices are not going to be around forever. Prices have averaged $250 /ML over the past seven years and peaked at more than $1,000 per megalitre. Given high global commodity prices in cotton, rice, canola and grain, record plantings are forecast for eastern Australia this year and demand for water should be high. There could also be supply side pressure as the Government continues to buy large volumes of water for environmental purposes.

In this environment, GEC could be a valuable management tool for irrigators.

For information, contact Darren Lipton, phone 0418 536 051, or Brad Georges, phone 0423 886 692.

We Measure ..... .....So You Can Manage If you need remote monitoring or control, we have a solution that fits the bill.

Whether it is on farm soil moisture monitoring or water meter reading across a whole district, we can provide a system to meet your needs.

Our systems can use radio or mobile phone (NextG) communications - or a combination of them both.

Accessing the data is easy thanks to our Internet based software, addVANTAGE Pro. You can install your own copy or have your data Here is just a sample of the hosted on our servers. Either way, applications for which customers you can view your data from are using our systems: anywhere in the world.

Soil Moisture Monitoring With the new LiveData function you Automatic Weather Stations can create a dashboard showing the Irrigation System Monitoring latest sensor readings on virtual Irrigation Control instruments. You can even view Remote Pump Control your sites on a Google Map. Remote Water Meter Reading Remote Engine/Pump monitoring (CANBUS) Water: Flow, level, quality For more information, call us on 08 8342 5343 or email us at australia@adcon.com Adcon Telemetry Australia Pty Ltd 1/184 Prospect Rd PROSPECT SA 5082

PH 08 8342 5343 FAX 08 8342 5363 MOB 04 3881 3678 Email p.toome@adcon.com Web Site : www.adcontelemetry.com.au

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RAISING STANDARDS Work on home-grown standards starts In November last year, three IAL members decided to take on the challenge and ‘do something’ to create the irrigation industry’s first truly national irrigation standards. The timing couldn’t have been better because, coincidently, the IAL national board had come to the same decision.

The board, through Simon Cooper and Vern Costello, prepared draft terms of reference for developing standards. These have been reviewed and ratification is expected in Launceston at Irrigation Australia Conference in August.

According to the terms of reference: The purpose is to create a Draft national set of Guidelines, Codes of Practice and Standards to provide a benchmark for irrigation industry excellence, and to reflect the needs and expectations of efficient irrigation for end users and IAL members.

The Draft Guidelines, Codes of Practice and Standards will include endorsement of existing standards, system performance standards, system design, equipment, technical specifications, installation, maintenance, management, training , licensing and accreditation, and others if requested by members.

Any standard must: • be rural and urban irrigation in equal emphasis • be open to member comment and input • have a truly national focus.

Standards working committee on the job In parallel with the terms of reference being prepared, a standards working committee was formed in February. Members of the committee are: Chris Edwards (chairman), Michael Barker, Peter Chadband, Mark Evans, Merv Jessen, Mark Quayle, Rob Welke and Peter White.

A panel of regional technical advisors has also been formed to provide technical support to the committee. Members of the panel are: Robin Badcock, Matthew Binder, James Curran, Sid Dyer, Tony Kanaris, Wally Low, Ross McKay, Col Peak, Lee Rothwell, Mitchell Sherwood, Dennis Sparrow and Peter Taylor.

The IAL has circulated invitations through the regional chairs inviting more people to the panel, so if you are interested in being a member, contact your local IAL regional committee chairperson.

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One thing this diverse group has in abundance is experience. Members of the committee and the panel have worked in both rural and urban irrigation on four continents and in five states. Without counting the grey hairs (or admitting to them), there’s close to 300 years of experience!

Close cooperation is being maintained with our colleagues ‘across the dutch’, and the NZ Code of Practice and Irrigation Design Standard is the starting template for our work. National Specifications of Australia (NatSpec) and Standards Australia are also involved.

Two key benefits of developing industry standards will be that it will give IAL members additional and concrete value for their membership and their investment and it will provide irrigation end users with a high-degree of certainty and satisfaction.

Definitions clarified There is no illusion that the challenge will be completed overnight; just agreeing to the definitions of codes, guidelines and standards has been the subject of energetic and lengthy discussions.

The committee has now settled on the following definitions: • Rural irrigation: Irrigation for livelihood.

• Urban irrigation: Irrigation for lifestyle.

• Guidelines are: General and non-mandatory information that aims to streamline irrigation industry processes according to set routines, resulting in more predictable outcomes, and resulting in a higher quality outcome.

• Codes of practice are : A consistent and precisely formulated written set of irrigation principles, rules of procedure or conduct, arranged according to subject matter and systematically consolidated and edited to eliminate duplication.

A set of irrigation principles that may have the force of law even though they are not actually statutes or laws, that provide a framework for delivering a consistent quality irrigation outcome and or dealing with legitimate complaints in a professional manner.

• Standards are: A fixed degree, criterion or level of requirement, excellence, quality, or attainment, requirement of commercial conduct established and defined by authority, custom, or common consent that sets the measure for all subsequent work; a reference point against which quantities or qualities can be evaluated or measured, establishing practices or

procedures, or evaluating results.

Standards that deal with specific issues within general areas may be grouped together in codes.

There will be no reinventing the wheel; where national documents exist we will cross-reference only, e.g. Standards Australia’s standards for pipe materials and pipe fittings and its electrical standards.However, as some aspects of these standards are unique to our industry, a code of practice will provide clarity.

In areas where there is no detail (e.g. pumping plant), a standard is required. To do this we have decided there will be two ‘streams’: rural and urban.

Within these streams will be the following disciplines: • design • installation • performance standards • auditing and evaluation • operations, management and scheduling • maintenance • accreditation, certification and training.

The committee’s initial focus is on design and installation. Once standards are drafted, IAL members will be invited to comment before they are ratified. After this, a committee will be responsible for ongoing management. This committee will decide whether to submit to Standards Australia or NatSpec or both for incorporation.

Will the standards be a book? Yes, because we don’t have one.

Will developing standards be a challenge? Yes, but we have the solution: To create a workable minimum irrigation standard to give irrigation end users a high degree of certainty and satisfaction regarding long-term economical and efficient water and power use while achieving their prime irrigation purpose.

Chris Edwards, Edwards Irrigation Consulting, Ballina NSW

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