Irrigation interruptions in Murrumbidgee

With a huge program of modernisation works being undertaken in the Murrumbidgee region this winter, Murrumbidgee Irrigation is committed to minimising impacts to water supply with pumps being used in some areas to help with the continued delivery of water.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation CEO, Brett Jones, said that there would be no impact on town water supplies and that irrigators on the Main Canal would have intermittent supply access throughout June and July 2018.

“We are operating the Main Canal differently this winter to allow us to be more responsive to irrigators critical water needs,” Mr Jones said.

“Rather than shutting down the system, we will let irrigators know when water is not available in their section.”

The Sturt Canal and South-Western parts of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area water delivery network will have an 11-week shutdown from the end of May 2018 to enable modernisation and maintenance works. Supply will recommence in mid-August 2018.

The 2018 modernisation program forms part of the largest suite of works undertaken in the area in over 100 years and takes the total investment by the Australian Government in the region to almost $348 million.

Mr Jones said that some of the modernisation works commenced in season as part of the company’s shift to automation.

“We have also made provisions to pump around structures while we continue to deliver water where we can,” Mr Jones said.

“The works are critical to enable us to maximise the benefits of the projects already completed across the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. It will also support any future investment in the network.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reduce our operating costs, increase flow capacity and improve supply reliability.”

Works may involve changed traffic conditions in some areas. Other than the upgrade of regulators in North Kooba and some channel rehabilitation works, there are no major works scheduled on the Main Canal in 2018.

Sections will be lowered intermittently to allow for inspections and programmed maintenance works. The Sturt Canal and South-Western parts of the water delivery network will have limited winter water available for critical crop requirements from 19-27 June 2018.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation is working with the Australian Government to deliver projects that will optimise economic, social and environmental outcomes in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

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