Water Savings
A key benefit of the project is water savings. NVIRP aims to increase irrigation water use efficiency from approximately 70 per cent to at least 85 per cent. Channel system outfalls will be eliminated, system losses will be measured continuously, leaks and theft will be detected and more efficient irrigation practices will all combine to save water currently lost to the system in transit.
Water savings will be shared between irrigators, urban water users and the environment. Water savings allocated to irrigators will be available as a bankable commodity through increased water allocations.
Two independent audits have confirmed that NVIRP is on track to achieve targeted water savings. To read more please click here
Improved Irrigation Efficiency
A key benefit of NVIRP will be improved customer service for irrigators through close to ‘on demand' accurately measured water supply, automated operation, higher flow rates and more information available to plan water orders. These features will enable irrigators to upgrade their surface irrigation practices to improved levels of efficiency and production.
Ongoing maintenance costs will be significantly reduced which will help keep the system more affordable for the region's irrigators. In addition, productivity and Occupational Health and Safety will be improved through automatic operation and the elimination of manual lifting of drop bars at regulating structures.
Upgraded technology will enable more water to be available for irrigators more quickly, which will assist irrigation communities to remain viable despite drought and a changing climate. In addition to irrigation benefits.
Environmental Benefits
One third of Stage 1 water savings will be used for the environment, some of which will be stored in Lake Eildon. This water will be released into stressed rivers and streams when required. This means that 75GL of saved water losses can be used at a time when it is most needed and provides maximum benefit for the environment.
The environment's share of water savings will be over and above The Living Murray and Snowy commitments and will primarily target the use of environmental water for priority Victorian wetlands and tributaries.
This will also have flow on benefits when the water enters the River Murray, which can then be reused to meet the needs of the Murray and its floodplains and wetlands, including Kerang Lakes, Barmah Forest, Gunbower Forest, Hattah Lakes, Lindsay-Wallpolla Island and various other sites along the River Murray.
Stage 2 is expected to deliver a further 200 billion litres of water savings a year.
Food Security
Victoria is heavily dependent on the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District for agricultural production. The region produces 22% of Australia's milk, 90% of Victoria's stone fruit by weight, 12% of Victoria's grapes and 96% of Victoria's tomatoes by weight, equating to $1.94B of Victoria's agricultural commodities.
The $2 billion investment in upgrading irrigation infrastructure will increase production viability in the region and help ensure reliance on local producers rather than overseas exports. The project will also help plan for a secure food growing region to service Australia's growing population, which could reach 35 million by 2050.
Regional Development
The project is creating jobs for local residents and businesses, injecting much-needed economic support into struggling communities and helping to create long-term business growth. A 2008 report, undertaken by Deloitte, found that Stage 1 of the irrigation renewal project will inject about $381 million into the regional economy and create more than 680 new jobs.
Additional benefits for the local regional economy include:
- innovation in the community and industry driven by on-farm improvements in efficiency
- new opportunities that stimulate growth of the already significant water technology industry in the Goulburn Murray area
- community confidence in meeting the challenges of climate change and growth
- new jobs that bring people to the area permanently who will contribute long-term to the local community.