Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s annual automation, repairs and scheduled maintenance to irrigation infrastructure has begun, including the finalisation of the company’s Automation Project.
The Winter Works program spreads across the entire Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA), including structures in the Griffith and Leeton areas, as well as the completion of a surge reservoir near Yanco.
Murrumbidgee Irrigation said that the program is vital to deliver upgrades and maintenance to keep the water delivery infrastructure and systems operating as efficiently as possible throughout the year and provides the opportunity to deliver upgrades that can further support customers in their businesses.
Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s integrated network will be put to the test over the winter months with the automation works, WaterNSW maintenance at Gogelderie Weir and Berembed Weir throughout June and July 2024 and expected high winter crop planting.
Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s CEO, Brett Jones, said, “We will be working closely with customers and using our storages along the network to minimise supply interruptions and will keep customers updated as works progress.
“We are conscious that works can impact people who live, work and travel in the area and have in place a process to keep customers and affected community members informed well in advance.”
Water outages in the areas where there are planned works will vary. Murrumbidgee Irrigation said that it will contact customers impacted by the works about their critical watering needs such as frost protection for citrus.
The major projects this Winter Works period is expected to be the automation of the remaining outlets and regulators across the MIA as part of the finalisation of the company’s Automation Project and the completion of the 5,000ML Roach’s Surge Reservoir near Yanco.
“With around 94 per cent of our channel system now automated, completing the automation across the rest of our water delivery network over the coming months will help us to deliver water to customers in the best way possible,” Mr Jones said.
The project is funded by the Federal Government and is being delivered in partnership with the New South Wales Government under the Off-farm Efficiency Program.
Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s maintenance program is expected to continue in parallel with the automation works throughout 2024. The works include channel bank repairs, desilting and pump shed maintenance.
Image credit: sergei kochetov/Shutterstock.com.
