Winter maintenance for NSW irrigation systems

Murrumbidgee Irrigation has announced that its Winter Works program will soon commence to take advantage of the cooler months, including automation, repairs and scheduled maintenance to irrigation infrastructure across the region.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation said that the Winter Works program is vital to deliver upgrades and maintenance to keep the water delivery infrastructure and systems operating as efficiently as possible throughout the year. The program is spread across the entire Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, including structures in the Griffith and Leeton areas, as well as a surge reservoir near Yanco.

The program also gives the company 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 coming months with the automation works, WaterNSW maintenance at Gogelderie Weir and Berembed Weir throughout June and July and expected higher water use on winter crops.

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 things progress.”

Mr Jones said that a key focus is to ensure the safety of the community. 

“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.”

Murrumbidgee Irrigation said that water outages in the areas where there are planned works will vary and a key focus is also to minimise impacts to water supply for customers. 

Murrumbidgee Irrigation will contact customers impacted by the works about their critical watering needs such as frost protection for citrus.

The major projects for the Winter Works period include the automation of outlets and regulators across the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, as part of the company’s ongoing Automation Project, as well as construction on the new 5,000ML Roach’s Surge Reservoir near Yanco.

Roach’s Reservoir is due to be completed by the end of 2024, with the full suite of Automation Project works expected to be delivered by June 2024.

“With around 85 per cent of our channel system now automated, completing the automation across the rest of our water delivery network over the next year will help us to deliver water to customers in the best way possible.” 

This 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 will continue in parallel with its automation works over the upcoming months. These works include channel bank repairs, desilting and pump shed maintenance.

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