Agriculture
1 May, 2024
Irrigators talk on drainage plans
THE first consultation session on a draft Loddon-Murray Irrigation Region Irrigation Drainage Strategy was held in Pyramid Hill last week. North Central Catchment Management Authority went to irrigators in the Loddon district after requests from...
THE first consultation session on a draft Loddon-Murray Irrigation Region Irrigation Drainage Strategy was held in Pyramid Hill last week.
North Central Catchment Management Authority went to irrigators in the Loddon district after requests from local farmers.
The new strategy has a focus on irrigation-induced rainfall runoff, but will not address floodwaters.
North Central CMA says the strategy will recognise the changing climate and irrigation water-use trends over the past two decades.
“Adaptable drainage schemes are deemed essential to support evolving farming systems and address groundwater level fluctuations,” it said.
“The strategy outlines key components, including the need for a coordinated approach to drainage, climate change impact assessment, definition of drainage functions in specific waterways, quantification of drainage water disposal impacts, clear government and landholder roles and responsibilities, and an extension program incentivising on-farm drainage management improvement.”
North Central CMA said it wanted irrigators to assess current drainage status, associated risks, and potential future needs. “The strategy also reinforces the importance of existing approaches such as drainage course declarations (DCDs) to facilitate co-operation in managing obstructions to restore water flow, especially in unique areas like the Bullock Creek catchment.
“This surface strategy documents the ongoing need for an irrigation drainage program and explores contemporary approaches to drainage across the Loddon-Murray Irrigation Region.
“It provides the context for stakeholders who are interested in understanding irrigation drainage in the irrigation region. and clarifies their roles and responsibilities and the rationale for funding identified actions. This strategy is to be reviewed prior to the development of the 2027-32 North Central Regional Catchment Strategy.”