$177.5 million for Goulburn-Murray irrigation infrastructure

The Federal Government is providing $177.5 million for the Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) Water Efficiency Project to upgrade aging off-farm water infrastructure in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, and acting Victorian Water Minister, Richard Wynne, said it was a landmark investment in recovering water through off-farm efficiency and infrastructure projects, preventing the need for water buybacks.  

Mr Pitt said it demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to off-farm water recovery.

“I am pleased to announce this off-farm funding that will modernise and make Victoria’s largest irrigation system more efficient, generating significant water savings without damaging regional economies,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is an investment in practical infrastructure upgrades across the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District which accounts for more than 70 per cent of all water stored in Victoria and around 90 per cent of water used for irrigation purposes across the state.

“I acknowledge the work of the Victorian Government, especially my colleague Water Minister, Lisa Neville, for getting on with the GMW Water Efficiency Project and making sure it is a case study in thorough community consultation.

“Socio-economic considerations have been, and will continue to be front of mind, for Victoria as they work to make sure local communities and businesses benefit.”

Mr Wynne said the project meant local jobs for local communities.

“The GMW Water Efficiency Project will provide significant economic stimulus for local and regional communities by creating hundreds of full time jobs during the construction phase while delivering significant environmental outcomes,” Mr Wynne said.

“The Victorian Government, through our delivery agency Goulburn-Murray Water, will deliver the GMW Water Efficiency Project generating 15.9 GL of environmental water savings by modernising or decommissioning more than 250km of channels and upgrading more than 1,000 outlets by 2023.

“We’ve already recovered around 826GL for the environment and we’re ready to start delivering through the GMW Water Efficiency Project as soon as possible.”

Find Irrigation Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide

WEG Australia Pty Ltd

Angus Flexible Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd

Brown Brothers Engineers Australia

Related articles

• Tablelands water efficiency project boosting supply for growers
• QLD Gov finalises new Barron Water Plan
• Tender released to expand NTs water supply
• Surf Coast Shire investigates reinstating Esplanade pipeline and pump system
• 14KM pipeline extension to deliver 143ML of non-potable water to local parks and reserves throughout Marion