Wide-scale improvements have been made to the irrigation drainage network in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.
Goulburn-Murray Water and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority have partnered to make wide-scale improvements to the irrigation drainage network in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District.
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Rather than constructing new irrigation drains, the agencies developed a hybrid drainage program to improve land use and irrigation sustainability in the GMID by reinstating natural drainage courses.
This has largely been achieved using drainage course declarations (DCDs), which are declarations approved by the water minister’s delegate that allow for obstructions to the natural flow of water to be removed or mitigated.
These obstructions can include elevated roads and farm tracks, on-farm banks, culverts and occupation crossings that are undersized, damaged, or have a build-up of silt.
Removing obstructions such as these reduces waterlogging on public and private land, and subsequently benefits agriculture, road assets and the environment.
G-MW drainage systems manager Carolyn Nigro said G-MW had undertaken extensive engagement to determine the best locations for DCDs.
“We have consulted with landowners from a very early stage to get their perspective and local knowledge of drainage in the area,” she said.
“There has been very strong support for the project across the region and the feedback landowners have provided us with has been invaluable.”
Picola farmer Russell Byrns was one of the landowners involved in the consultation process.
Works were recently completed on his property as part of the Victorian Irrigation Drainage Program.
These works included the construction of a floodway to allow unobstructed drainage of the natural depression, and the installation of two concrete culverts through a farm levee bank to allow water to flow into Goose Swamp on the edge of the Barmah Forest.
“It’s a great outcome. These works will make a significant difference to us and landholders upstream of us,” he said.
“The water will flow through the area much easier now.”
Goulburn Broken CMA has funded the irrigation drainage improvements via DEECA’s Sustainable Irrigation Program.
Program manager Carl Walters said significant benefits would come from the investment.
“Improving natural drainage and undoing man-made obstructions will have great outcomes for the region,” Mr Walters said.
“It will help protect the environment and farmland, while also providing security in wet periods.”
