Annual Report 2007-08 OUR VISION Our vision for irrigation practice and water use in Australia is that by 2020, as a nation we will have: » defi ned and implemented the principles of sustainable irrigation practice in all environments » processes that resolve the water use compromises necessary for people’s needs, the environment, production and amenity.
OUR MISSION We facilitate cooperative research and training networks and programs which continuously improve irrigation policy, tools, practices and processes to: » double irrigation water use productivity » improve profi tability for commercial irrigation enterprises and » protect and enhance landscapes and the environment OUR VALUES » Leadership » Honesty and sensitivity » Excellence » Teamwork and collaboration » Creativity and innovation » Kool and funky » Outcome focus Contents
1 Executive Summary...... 2
1.1 Chairman’s report...... 2
1.2 CEO’s report...... 3
2 Context and Major Developments during the year...... 4
3 Governance and Management...... 6
4 Research Programs...... 9
4.1 Research activities and achievements...... 9
5 Education and Training...... 23
6 Research Collaborations...... 28
6.1 National collaborative linkages...... 28
6.2 Collaboration with other CRCs...... 30
6.3 International collaborative linkages...... 30
7 Commercialisation and Utilisation...... 32
7.1 Commercialisation and utilisation strategies and activities...... 32
7.2 Intellectual property management...... 32
7.3 End-user involvement and CRC impact on end-users...... 32
8 Communications and Marketing...... 38
8.1 Communications strategy...... 38
8.2 Media...... 39
8.3 Public presentations...... 39
9 Publications...... 40
9.1 Books or book chapters...... 40
9.2 Refereed journal articles...... 40
9.3 Conference publications...... 41
9.4 Reports...... 44
10 National Research Priorities...... 47
10.1 National research priority goal highlights...... 47
11 Performance Measures...... 49
12 Financial Information...... 51
12.1 Qualified Accountant Certification...... 58
13 Glossary of Terms...... 60
1 1 Executive Summary
1.1 Chairman’s report
Given the ongoing reality of the current drought and the We have made substantial progress in: predictions of declining and more variable rainfall and • quantifying potential efficiency savings, runoff, it is pertinent to reflect on the mission of the CRCIF and to assess its progress at this, the fifth year of its seven • developing tools for policy analysis, year term. • tools for improved irrigation management, When established in 2003, it was agreed that “… Our • developing and delivering training packages vision for irrigation practice and water use in Australia is • demonstrating the potential for harmonising water that by 2020, as a nation we will have: demand and supply at a regional scale. • Defined and implemented the principles of sustainable irrigation practice in all environments Arising from this, and in the final phase of the CRC, the board has guided future emphasis towards establishing • Processes that resolve the water use compromises partnerships to facilitate further evaluation, adaptation, necessary for people’s needs, the environment, and uptake of new knowledge and production and amenity.” processes to meet our declared Although perhaps somewhat objectives. visionary and forward thinking at the time, the harsh reality is that such The CRCIF has also demonstrated a vision must be achieved even the value of collaborative sooner given the environmental and innovation and R&D around the social pressures that the irrigation national imperative of effective, dependent industries now face. The efficient water use. However, our conjunction of genuinely limited term is limited and whilst recognising water resource availability, the issues several previous, valuable initiatives of allocation/misallocation/over- in setting objectives for research allocation, increased energy costs, and funding of sustainable irrigation, and heightened concerns regarding none have yet established a broadly prospective impacts of climate supported, genuinely integrated, change … resource degradation, long-term national approach. loss of biodiversity, food security, It is now clearly evident that such “food miles” amongst others … has an approach is needed; we must served to focus media and public ensure a comprehensive and attention on water use policy, effective program for innovation in practice and impacts. irrigation is in place to enable the In 2003 the CRC for Irrigation Futures sector to function effectively over declared its MISSION as: even the next 10–15 years. “… We facilitate cooperative research and training Therefore, on behalf of the board of the CRCIF, I urge networks and programs which continuously improve a concerted national effort to define, structure and irrigation policy, tools, practices and processes to: resource a national initiative around effective water use • double irrigation water use productivity in irrigation … for production, amenity & environmental purposes — informed by the experiences of this CRC. • improve profitability for commercial irrigation enterprises and Finally, I must record our thanks for the insight, wise • protect and enhance landscapes and the counsel and commitment that Mr. Mike Logan brought environment.” to the CRCIF during his time with the planning committee and his subsequent five years as a board member, Although sometimes difficult to quantify and concluding this year. communicate, I believe that we have made substantial progress towards the goals defined. This is evidenced in this annual report and is more plainly demonstrated Peter Hayes in activities surrounding the Annual Research Forum, Board Chair conducted this last year in Townsville and further evidenced in the many on-line tools and publications now populating our website.
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1.2 CEO’s report
This CRC is delivering not only top quality science but Much of the change that is necessary at the individual also workable solutions to some of the key challenges irrigator level has already been made by the leading faced by Australia’s urban and agricultural irrigation managers. It is not uncommon in irrigation industries for industries. Urban water storages remain at low levels there to be a 30–50% difference between the productivity and restrictions on use of tap water for irrigation are per unit of water of the best managers compared to the universal. The current drought in the Murray Darling bulk of the growers. So the seeds of change already exist basin is outside the bounds of records kept since in many of our grower communities. In our urban areas William Dawes (Lieutenant, Royal Marines, First Fleet) we need to recognise the community benefits of private started collecting weather observations in 1788. The and open public space to the community – then apply future doesn’t look much brighter either, with the evidenced based water management regimes, not Murray-Darling Sustainable Yields Project predicting permanent water restrictions! a high likelihood of significant reductions in water Organisations such as ourselves are primarily focussed availability to all sectors over the next 20 years. on researching ways for even the Unfortunately these doom and best to do better and we shouldn’t gloom scenarios have lead to a apologise for this important focus. popular notion that irrigation in the Australia leads internationally in a Murray Darling Basin has no future. range of irrigation areas such as This is completely inconsistent with policy reform and technological global concerns about feeding improvements, thanks in part to an extra 3 billion people within the previous research efforts. A key next 20 years! With the application component to our continued of good science and good policy success will be human capacity over the next two decades we building and with a postgraduate should see a doubling of water student cohort of 52 we continue to use productivity in Australia, with a drive this area in Australia. Applied reduced environmental footprint. research, such as is happening in our In just irrigated agriculture alone SE Queensland projects, also has a the potential exists to double key role to play in the adaptation the average amount of quality of existing tools and ideas to new product produced per unit of water regions and industries. extracted from the environment. The 2007–08 financial year has seen So even if the long term average a very pleasing but gradual shift amount of water available for of emphasis from just doing good irrigation in the MDB declines by research to delivery of research 40%, with a doubling in productivity the industry can outcomes. Like all CRCs we are expected to deliver actually grow! solutions that will benefit the Australian community, No-one should pretend this is going to be easy or that environment and the economy. I am confident that it won’t lead to significant change in our irrigation many of our research projects will have delivered communities. There are no silver bullets available to the beyond expectations by 2010. However more work lies policy makers and nor do the technologists hold all the ahead in identifying those deliverables that will achieve keys to success. We need to focus on what actually best outcomes and engaging with both industry and makes for effective change – people. The last few years government partners to best effect. We look forward to of scarcity have certainly brought into sharp focus the the challenge of delivering to our motto: value of water to irrigation businesses, even in areas of traditionally secure supplies. Our irrigators and water BETTER IRRIGATION : BETTER ENVIRONMENT : BETTER FUTURE managers now need to be supported with good policy, access to capital, specialist knowledge, training and tools Ian Atkinson so they can learn and adapt to the changing supply Chief Executive Officer situation.
3 2 Context and Major Developments during the year
The continuing drought across most of southern Australia has had a significant impact upon the operating context of Australia’s urban and rural irrigation industries.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2008, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Issued 11/02/2008
Figure 1. Trend in Annual Total Rainfall 1970–2007 (source: www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/silo/reg/cli_chg/trendmaps.cgi?variable=rain®ion=aus&season=0112&period=1970)
The Murray Darling Basin contains a large proportion of Australia’s irrigated agriculture and continuing record low inflows are causing severe impact upon our target industries. Annual allocations in the major Murray Darling systems continue to be historically low and only the trade of temporary or seasonal water has kept perennial plantings alive in major districts. Of course there has been an expansion of production in some areas outside the M-D basin as a result of these problems and this has masked some of the impact on food production and supermarket prices for irrigated crops like fruit and vegetables.
Figure 2. MDBC active storage June 2000 to June 2008 (source: http://www.mdbc.gov.au/__data/page/1366/Drought_Update_Issue_14_-_July_2008.pdf)
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Urban water restrictions continue to have a major debilitating effect on the urban irrigation industries. Some idea of this can be garnered from this summary of water storage levels and restrictions on urban irrigation at July 2008 in the following table.
City Brisbane Sydney Adelaide Melbourne Canberra Water storage 40% 66% 50% 30% 46% Restrictions Bucket or Hand held hose Bucket, hand Hand held hoses Bucket or hand on irrigating watering can or drip only. held hose or drip only. Restricted held hose only. gardens only. Restricted Restricted hours only. Restricted hours Restricted hours hours hours
The CRC IF’s ambitious aims to improve environmental outcomes are also very much at risk in the current circumstances. Closure of wetlands to preserve river water flows is just one example of unprecedented action by authorities which will come at significant environmental cost. The likelihood of achieving positive environmental benefits from our research by 2010 is very low. The potential is there still but it will require a return to ‘normal’ rainfall patterns before many of the eco- systems can recover. Interesting things are happening in the jobs and education market we operate in as well. The very strong demand for skills from a cashed up minerals sector has caused us difficulties in attracting PhD candidates and new research staff. On the positive side the greatly increased government activities in the water and irrigation sector e.g. the National Water Initiative, is driving demand for our graduates. Our ambitious target of 50 postgraduates now looks inadequate in the face of escalating demand.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS The major developments in CRC IF during the 2007–08 Financial Year included: • We have attracted new Supporting Participants to assist with research and delivery. • The new Research Program structure is working well. • Departure of Professor S Khan (Program Leader, System Harmonisation) for UNESCO in Paris. • Appointment of Dr Keith Bristow and Jeff Camkin as joint Program Leaders for the System Harmonisation Research Program.
5 3 Governance and Management
The CRC for Irrigation Futures exists as an unincorporated joint venture but operates within corporate governance guidelines established under Corporations’ Law. The CRC IF is governed by a Board chaired by Peter Hayes. The Board is appointed by our partners, who have similar rights and responsibilities to shareholders within a corporate environment. The CRC IF is managed by the Chief Executive Officer, Ian Atkinson, who is accountable to the Board. The day-to-day management of the CRC IF is undertaken by the Executive Management Group.
PARTICIPANTS AND SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS The CRC IF has fifteen core participants, representing six universities, five state departments, two water service providers and two national bodies. The following institutions were participants in 2007–2008: Charles Sturt University CSIRO Goulburn-Murray Water Land and Water Australia New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water South Australian Research and Development Institute South Australian Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation SunWater Victorian Department of Primary Industries The University of Melbourne University of New England University of South Australia University of Southern Queensland University of Western Sydney Over the last year three new supporting institutions came on board. Supporting institutions in 2007–2008 were: Aquatech Consulting Pty Ltd* BSES Ltd Irrigation Australia Ltd. (formally Irrigation Association of Australia) Measurement Engineering Australia* Murray Irrigation Ltd Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd The University of Pretoria* The University of Queensland
*New supporting institution. Commonwealth approved.
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE
BOARD INDEPENDENT PARTICIPANTS committees BOARD FORUM Audit & Finance Research & Education Recruitment ceo Communication Commercialisation
KNOWLEDGE BUSINESS RESEARCH PROGRAM ZONE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT TEAM TEAM TEAM TEAM
Figure 3. CRC for Irrigation Futures Organisational Chart
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GOVERNING BOARD The CRC IF is directed by an independent, skills-based governing board. The core participants appointed personnel to the Board, for a period of three years, based on skills and experience in irrigation practice, water industry, commercialisation, research management and communication. The Board acts on behalf of the core participants in overseeing and governing the CRC IF.
Table 1. Governing Board Name Position, Organisation Role Peter Hayes Independent Chair Snow Barlow Melbourne University Research management Russell Cooper Chief Executive, Goulburn Murray Water Water industry Diana Day Sydney University Research management Ticky Fullerton Journalist, ABC Communication Mike Logan* Cotton farmer, Narrabri Irrigation practice Malcolm McKay Director, Australian Agricultural College Corporation Education Graeme Milligan Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water Water industry Tim Waterhouse CEO, Heli Air Commercialisation
*Retired from the Board 30th June 2008 at the expiration of his term.
Ticky Fullerton, Graeme Milligan, Malcolm McKay and Tim Waterhouse have been reappointed until June 2010 (terms were due to expire 30th June 2008). Board members also attended the annual Board Retreat in April 2008 in Coogee, NSW to consider the future directions of the CRC IF. The frequency of Board meetings is detailed in Table 2.
Table 2. Board attendance at meetings Name 12 Sep 07 21 Nov 07 22 Nov 07 10 Dec 072 20 Feb 08 21 Feb 083 29 May 08 Peter Hayes Diana Day Ticky Fullerton1 1 1 1 1 1 Mike Logan Malcolm McKay Graeme Milligan Tim Waterhouse Snow Barlow Russell Cooper
KEY: Attended Apology
Notes: 1 Ticky Fullerton was granted a leave of absence from November 2007 to August 2008 inclusive; 2 Teleconference; 3 Informal meeting in Canberra with visitors; Out of Session Resolutions, by email, were passed on the 18th September 2007, 30th January 2008 and 14th April 2008.
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To provide specific strategic guidance, the Board has five sub-committees as outlined in Table 3.
Table 3. Board subcommittees Research & Education Audit & Finance Commercialisation Communication & Recruitment Marketing Diana Day* Mike Logan* Malcolm McKay* Ticky Fullerton* Peter Hayes* Snow Barlow Graeme Milligan Peter Hayes Tim Waterhouse Mike Logan Russell Cooper Ticky Fullerton Tim Waterhouse Graeme Milligan Malcolm McKay Diana Day Snow Barlow
*Committee Chair
THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT GROUP The Executive Management Group is chaired by the CEO and includes the Business Manager, Knowledge Exchange Manager and Program Leaders for the Irrigation Toolkits, System Harmonisation and Education programs. The Training Program Leader is also invited to join the EMG as required. The EMG meets regularly to discuss day-to-day issues of the CRC IF.
Table 4. Executive Management Group NAME ORGANISATION ROLE Management Ian Atkinson CRC IF Chief Executive Officer Rick Darroch CRC IF/USQ Business Manager Kelvin Montagu CRC IF/UWS Knowledge Exchange Manager Research Program Leaders Shahbaz Khan* CSIRO/CSU Program Leader, System Harmonisation Keith Bristow# CSIRO Co-Program Leader, System Harmonisation Jeff Camkin# CSIRO Co-Program Leader, System Harmonisation Helen Fairweather DPI NSW Program Leader, Irrigation Toolkits Peter Cornish^ UWS Program Leader, Education Eddie Parr DPI NSW Program Leader, Training
*Resigned April 2008 #Replaced Shahbaz Khan in June 2008 ^Retired February 2008.
The CRC IF Board, CEO and Business Manager in Sydney.
8 4 Research Programs
4.1 Research activities and achievements
4.1.1 Irrigation Toolkits to Improve Enterprise Performance
Program Leader: Dr Helen Fairweather, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dubbo.
to provide the technical components which contribute to PROGRAM GOAL an irrigation professional’s analysis of water management To deliver innovation to the on-farm irrigation in on-farm storage (Ours are tools in the kit). Another sector to improve production, profitability and approach is to identify what we don’t know about soil sustainability of irrigation enterprises. Key outcomes solute management, an identification of the knowledge are: “space” we need to work in to learn and research, and • Irrigators using CRC developed tools and then find the industry partner who can build the hardware techniques customised specifically to their components which will give an insight into the soil-water requirements to supply appropriate and timely system (CRC IF kit and third parties/partners supply some information that allows adaptive management of the tools). of irrigation temporally and spatially to increase Another critical area where the outputs from the productivity and reduce environmental Toolkits program will be important is in the upgrading impacts. of infrastructure investments and the intersection of this • Develop and refine equipment to measure free activity with other policy developments, namely the water evaporation and optimise performance Emissions Trading Scheme. The investments made to of chemical evaporation suppression upgrade irrigation infrastructure will most likely result in techniques for large storages. the movement of gravity fed systems to deliver water to • Improved urban and on-farm water, nutrient pressurised ones. Pressurising of these delivery systems will and agrochemical use efficiencies through the have energy implications and therefore can potentially identification and adoption of prescription and increase the greenhouse emissions profile of the irrigation precision irrigation technologies. sector. This is an emerging area that the Toolkits program is investigating through its PhD program.
OVERVIEW The Storage Dam Evaporation research has two primary components: monitoring evaporation losses and The rapidly changing environment in which water policy is developing cost effective solutions to mitigate these being developed across Australia has made the research losses. The results of the research also has important work being conducted by the Toolkits program not only links with the other CRC IF research program (System highly relevant but has also highlighted the urgent nature Harmonisation) through the remote sensing work and of the need for this work to be delivered to industry. the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC, through the Covering most of the on-farm aspects of how water is evaporation mitigation and monitoring work, the solute captured, delivered, applied and its subsequent fate, the signatures research and the tools development and outputs from the Toolkits program are critical to ensure the close interaction with the CRC for Polymers with the that optimum investments are made by the state and polymer development for evaporation mitigation. federal governments in their modernising irrigation on- farm programs. The Tools for Longevity and Profitability project covers the measurement of the crop response from the plant level The CRCIF Toolkits Program is endeavouring to exceed out to the whole-farm through the use of remote sensing its research mission, and ensure there are partnerships techniques. Measuring the hydraulic performance and for the delivery of tools which are consistent with these optimising the design of different irrigation systems are reform programs. One such mechanism is the use of also important components of this research. Incorporating interfaces which provide information to the irrigator in the social and economic dimensions into the decisions the format that is most relevant, backed up by science that are made as a result of the measurements that are and objective data pulled in from a range of sources. taken is critical to ensure the outputs from this project This deals with water use at the level of jurisdiction have the widest possible adoption. (the licensed water user) where voluntary resource management is most often practiced. This reflects the The Solute Signatures project focuses on the movement industry interest in tools which help individual irrigators of solutes and water below the root zone as a means of meet a range of goals, including production, social and measuring the performance of the irrigation system and environmental. its management. This work is being conducted in a variety of crops across the country. The development of tools to Partnerships with industry have developed from two assist with interpretation of the measurements will be the approaches. One is to use the research skills of the CRC IF primary outputs from this project.
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4.1.1.1 Storage Dam Evaporation
Sub-Program Leader: Mr Erik Schmidt, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.
in obtaining additional funding to further this work. These OBJECTIVES new monolayer products have already shown far superior • Development of technology and systems to evaporation and volatilization resistance compared to evaluate evaporation and seepage losses from the old generation products in laboratory scale trials. water storages. Systems for optimally applying monolayers have been • Development of improved monolayer based researched with an aim to develop smart autonomous evaporation mitigation systems that can be application systems that will achieve 70% coverage of applied to large scale water storages to reduce the water surface 90% of the time. A prototype liquid evaporation losses. based application system is being developed and various systems for sensing and detecting monolayers are being researched for integration into the monolayer application STRATEGIES and control systems. • Develop standardised methods for evaporation and An assessment of factors affecting spreading and seepage monitoring of storage dams based on depth performance, degradation rates and influencing factors sensing technologies and analysis procedures and use on current monolayers has been completed. The impact of meteorological based evaporation estimates. of wind, water quality, dosage rates and volatilisation of • Collation of available information of storage size the monolayer has been a key focus area. classes and evaporation losses and assessment of market potential for evaporation mitigation products Systems for monitoring seepage/evaporation rates from TM and savings. storage have been commercialised through the Irrimate network of consultants and software to assist • Improved understanding of monolayer product in evaluations (EvapCalc) has been developed. performance and factors affecting this performance. • Development of improved monolayer products. There has been extensive communication of the project across a range of forums. These have included • Development of monolayer application, monitoring Media releases by the CRC IF and CRC for Polymers. and control systems and recommendations for best Presentations have been made to the 2007 CRC IF management practice. Annual Research Forum, National Symposium on Agricultural Engineering, the CCC CRC Science Forum RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE and the 12th International COMS conference on the Annual evaporation losses from on-farm storages can commercialisation of micro- and nano-technologies. potentially exceed 40% of storage volume. For large The project team held a very successful review workshop storages chemical monolayers either on their own or in in Melbourne in February 2008. Three PhD students are combination with other systems provide a compelling currently working on components of the project. option to control evaporation losses. The project was successful in attracting further funding from the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation This project has successfully completed the first year of an through three separate projects, focussing on new alliance between three Cooperative Research Centres monolayer development (with CRC for Polymers and (Irrigation Futures, Polymers and Cotton Catchment CCC CRC), monolayer evaporation systems for irrigation Communities) which has focussed on the development supply systems (through Goulburn-Murray Water) and of improved monolayer materials. Two provisional patents further development of an economic ready reckoner for have been lodged and the project team were successful evaporation mitigation systems and associated training materials.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS The project will continue to focus on evaluation of monolayer evaporation systems with increased focus on new products being developed by the CRC for Polymers. Emphasis will be placed on deployment of evaporation and seepage measuring technologies on commercial storages and evaluation of monolayer product performance and smart application systems. A number of trial sites have been identified with collaborators across a range of industries. A National Water Commission funded project to monitor a large number of cotton Erik Schmidt with Growcom officer Ben Muller at a storage dams using the technologies developed has field trial site in Lockyer Valley, Qld. commenced.
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4.1.1.2 Tools for Irrigation Profitability and Longevity
Sub-Program Leader: Dr Evan Christen, CSIRO Land & Water, Griffith
• launched Australia’s first dedicated irrigation server OBJECTIVES (http://www.irrigateway.net), The project has three main overarching objectives: • developed or refined a number of products for • Develop crop sensing systems to monitor plant improving irrigation efficiency (TRAVGUN, IPARM, water status and spatial variation to better WaterSense, DripDU) and manage crop productivity • progressed new tools incorporating some of the latest • Develop new evaluation and management scientific technologies, such as informatics, satellite tools for surface and pressurised irrigation remote sensing and SMS, into irrigation management. systems to improve the application of water The research being undertaken with the Satellite and • Provide tools to assess the impact of changes SMS Irrigation Scheduling Service (SSMSISS) and Surface in irrigation practice on profits, lifestyle and Energy Balance Algorithum for Land (SEBAL) and productive and environmental assets. Mapping Evapo Transpiration with High Resolution and Internalised Calibration (METRIC) approaches have the potential to deliver tools to significantly benefit the STRATEGIES irrigation industry and Australia, The strategies for achieving these objectives can be • Fourteen journal papers have been published along broken into three areas outlined below: with 27 conference papers – a highlight to the volume and quality of research being carried out in the Crop Sensing and Spatial Variability: project. We will use field sites spread across regions and crops to • The team has also been busy communicating the develop tools and share data. We will research tools for: results from the grass roots irrigator to state and federal – Remote plant stress and canopy sensing government level. – Remote evapotranspiration estimation All this work has also benefited from the interaction of Managing Irrigation Performance: social and decision making research being undertaken within the team to ensure that what delivered meets the This will be a mix of field monitoring and modelling for: requirement and expectations of the irrigation industry. – Bankless channel system design and management – Irrigation distribution modelling – IrriGATE™ software for irrigation scheduling FUTURE DIRECTIONS – WaterSense software The program is busy positioning a number of tools and – Optimisation of irrigation management units applications into wider-scale endeavours to ensure their robustness and readiness for wide scale implementation Irrigation Informatics™: and commercialisation (i.e. SSMSISS). Efforts are also being We will research tools for the collation, recording and expanded on completion of reports and publications integrated analysis of spatial and temporal data to from earlier work in the CRC. assist irrigators in irrigation management decisions. Key The challenge during the final stages is to fully integrate activities will include: a number of the smaller applications, tools and – SILO climate data for irrigators methodologies into delivery packages which will ensure – Smart metering their uptake, relevance and useability in future. – Spatial drainage assessment – Farmer heuristics in irrigation decision making
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS In Australia, only approximately 20% of irrigators use objective methods for deciding when and how to irrigate. The Tools for Irrigation Profitability and Longevity (TIPL) team has been developing a range of integrated approaches to changing this. A multi-disciplined group is working on developing the next generation of tools which will be used to lift the profitability and longevity of irrigation systems. The current climate of reduced water allocations and dramatically increasing food prices has produced real Winegrape irrigator Pascal Guertin (left) shows CRC IF demand for the tools being development in this project. PhD student Nick Car how he uses the satellite and During the last 12 months the team has: SMS irrigation scheduling service.
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4.1.1.3 Solute Signatures
Sub-Program Leader: Dr Richard Stirzaker, CSIRO Land & Water, Canberra.
to what the plant is actually experiencing. To address OBJECTIVES these issues two test facilities for detailed process work • To develop monitoring systems and interpretive have been developed. These are i) a large outdoor frameworks for salt and nitrate signatures. drainage lysimeter facility at the University of Pretoria This will provide a new way of evaluating ii) a test facility involving large (1000 litres) water tanks on the precision of irrigation for production and continuous weighing equipment in Canberra. sustainability. As we work underground modelling and visualisation to • To develop decision support and visualisation aid learning is important. We are building a ‘library’ of tools which will assist in the interpretation of simulations that cover a wide range of scenarios. The solute monitoring data and management library would be used as a teaching tool to assist with decisions. demonstrating key processes, aid in placement and interpretation of sampling tools, and as a framework STRATEGIES against which to evaluate field data. The project is being delivered through the following six We are using a co-learning adaptive management strategies approach to draw together theory and practice into a learning cycle to bridge the gap between scientists 1. On farm monitoring: past and present, and managers. The approach implicitly recognises the 2. Tools assessment and development, complexity of applying our existing knowledge in the real 3. Process understanding: fundamentals of solute world, whilst at the same time recognising that there is movement, not enough time to wait until we know everything. This has reached the stage where we can start to put project 4. Modelling and visualisation: using models to aid findings into a Masterclass format to be delivered next learning, year. 5. Co-learning: the meeting of theory and practice, The project and Knowledge Exchange Team is 6. Capacity building and delivery of tools. developing a Masterclass to achieve capacity building. In addition the project has seven postgraduate students Research activities and achievements to date working on various aspects of solute signatures. The A number of on-farm monitoring trial sites continue to project is also working closely with the private sector generate new data from a wide range of conditions to develop new solute monitoring tools. To date the ranging from sports oval (Canberra), Avocadoes (WA), project has been associated with the delivery of two Organic vegetables (NSW), Grapes (SA), Cotton (NSW), commercially available tools, Wetting Front Detectors, and a number of sites in SA, open hydroponics sites and SoluSampler, and continues to work to improve the at Tatura (Vic DPI) Dareton (NSW DPI) and Sunraysia performance and interpretation and use in management (SARDI) and several South African sites through University of these tools. of Pretoria (lysimeters, turf, stone fruit, mining). As solute monitoring is not a new field of study we are examining Future Directions past experiences and data sets to see what light can be Over the past two years, Solute Signatures has shed on our current research efforts. coordinated a large number of field sites, collecting salt Tools assessment is progressing well with literature and and nitrate data from numerous crops grown around information on all solute monitoring tools on the market the country. This third year will see the most intensive collated and these tools currently being evaluated. The data collection phase yet, together with our best project team has also been discussing with a number of effort to summarise the data and make it useful for a manufacturers and resellers the popularity and efficacy wider audience. We are completing a history of solute of these tools and the work needed to bring them into monitoring in Australia, trying to understand why it has wider use. This is assisting in determining which tools can proceeded in fits and starts, and what we need to do to be further developed in Australia by the private sector. make it mainstream. We are also evaluating all current tools on the market, the old and the very new, and will be The fundamentals of solute movement are still not clear. bringing new and improved tools to market. The major There remain significant problems with interpretation focus of the Solutes Signatures project this year will be of solute data. One problem is setting a threshold to bring all this information together in a Masterclass, as from a point measurement when there is a strongly a way of consolidating our knowledge and presenting three dimensional distribution of solute in a profile, for it in a form where we can teach and learn from other example under drip irrigation. Another is how to relate practitioners in the field. measurement from a passive lysimeter to ECe, or how to link bulk EC readings from dielectric measurements
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4.1.1.4 South East Queensland Irrigation Futures
Sub-Program Leader: Professor Steven Raine, University of Southern Queensland
Work continued on the development of monitoring tools Objectives to assist the IDOs and farmers identify opportunities for The key objective of this project is to provide improved water use efficiency. The major outcomes of research and development outcomes that this work are: will underpin a 10% improvement in water use • The ability to produce field scale EM38 of soil, rootzone efficiency within South-East Queensland. constraints and irrigation uniformity problems is now available and has been demonstrated on both turf Strategies and dairy farms. • The ability to produce field scale NDVI surveys of crop This project is being delivered in partnership with the local vigour using a ground-mounted rig is now available horticultural, dairy, turf, nursery and flower industry bodies and has been demonstrated on turf and dairy farms. by: • The deployment and analysis of DSL data for • Providing a basis for changes in on-farm water pressurised systems has been shown to be able management practices and/or take-up of more to detect irrigation shifts, filter flushing events and water efficient equipment and operations – Assisting associated hydraulic inconsistencies. in the uptake of farm management systems through better definition of best management practices and • The prototype PIMS unit has been deployed on a efficiency targets; and range of irrigation systems for evaluation. • Improving grower involvement in local on-farm • Evaluations of the eddy correlation micro- research activities. meteorological station on irrigated dairy pastures has demonstrated the influence of crop cover on Research in this project is conducted within the industry evapotranspiration. identified priority areas of: The RADS team has also continued to provide ad • Monitoring tools to improve water use efficiency; hoc mentoring and technical support regarding (a) • Improved management of irrigated root zones; irrigation performance evaluations, (b) soil, water and • Crop water requirements and deficit irrigation; and crop management issues, (c) the appropriateness of sensing equipment and (d) interpretation of grower • Optimising performance and managing in-field results or options. Training variability. on the delivery of the “soils” workshop was also provided Research Activities and Achievements to Date to the IDOs over three The South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures (SEQIF) separate workshop sessions. Research and Development Support (RADS) project has provided support to the SEQIF Industry Development FUTURE DIRECTIONS Officers (IDOs) and SEQ Catchment staff across five The priority work areas for industries and eleven field sites during 2007/08. The this project during 2008/09 targeted research activities conducted during the year have been identified in were focused on the industry priority issues identified consultation with the IDOs collaboratively with IDOs: and other stakeholders and • An evaluation of the physical degradation of coir are: based potting media was conducted for the nursery Horticulture: Evaluate the effect of irrigation design industry. and management on root zone salinity and nutrient • A second season of trial work was completed movement evaluating the relationships between irrigation Turf: Evaluate the effect of spatial variability in irrigation uniformity and spatial variability in lettuce production. or environmental variables on the potential to improve • Water use requirements for some popular nursery water use efficiency plants were quantified under commercial conditions. Flowers: Identify strategies to improve irrigation scheduling • An evaluation of rootzone salinity under beetroot and opportunities to use the DSL technology to identify irrigated with marginal water found salt increases will water savings threaten production levels. Dairy: Evaluate the effect of spatial variability in irrigation • Evaluation of water use on a turf farm found that or environmental variables on the potential to improve approximately 400 mm of water was required to water use efficiency maintain turf quality for sale. The study also highlighted Nursery: Develop techniques and assess the potential to that small improvements in irrigation uniformity can use weight-based irrigation scheduling in nurseries. increase the saleability of turf considerably.
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4.1.2 System Harmonisation through Regional Irrigation Business Partnerships
PROGRAM LEADERS: Dr Keith Bristow and Jeff Camkin, CSIRO Land and Water1
catchments with irrigation industries. In each region work PROGRAM GOAL was to be undertaken through four sub-programs that • To develop strategies to improve cross- inform and influence each other: organisational communication and system- • Water Cycle Management wide management while improving production • Markets & Productivity and environmental outcomes. • Social, Cultural, Institutional and Policy Frameworks • To increase profitability and reduce environmental footprints from improved • System Harmonisation Integration and RIBPs. irrigation systems as part of improved water System Harmonisation researchers continued to explore productivity in a total catchment management and learn about the realities of applying the System context. Harmonisation concept during 2007–08. Progress through • To facilitate creation of viable regional the Water Cycle Management and Social, Cultural, irrigation businesses supported by improved Institutional and Policy Frameworks sub-programs has transparency and objectivity in decision been good. Progress on markets and productivity is making. pending outputs from the Water Cycle Management sub- program. OVERVIEW Progress on System Harmonisation Integration and particularly RIBPs in 2007–08 has been instructional, with There is an increasing need and support for a great variation in progress between regions. Groups “harmonised” approach to sustainable use of land and representing regional irrigation and catchment interests water resources. This approach seeks to build regional have developed well in Western Sydney, Coleambally and partnerships that facilitate business opportunities for the Lower Burdekin. Further, the North Australia Irrigation irrigators to become part of an expanding environmental Futures (NAIF) Steering Committee developed strongly services industry and in so doing support the expansion as an influential group in relation to irrigation in Northern of a truly sustainable and diversified irrigation business Australia. Attempts to develop a strong regional group for environment. This concept is based on improving irrigation Limestone Coast have been slow and Macintyre Brook, community sustainability by seeking to establish enduring while slow originally has recently gained considerable arrangements that connect irrigators with environmental momentum. Consistent with the original intent of focussing services, as well as increasing the productivity of water. efforts in those regions most likely to succeed, a decision System harmonisation is an all encompassing approach was made late in 2007–08 to reduce the System that combines research, policy, industry, regional Harmonisation research efforts in Limestone Coast. communities and business principles to achieve productive and environmental improvements at the A key learning has been that establishing Regional catchment level. A combined analytical and business Irrigation Business Partnerships may not be the most framework is being developed which includes a appropriate strategy for all regions. Achieving comprehensive assessment of the hydrologic system that collaboration between researchers, policy makers, allows the identification of interventions aimed to capture industry and other stakeholders in irrigation catchments productive and environmental opportunities along with will be essential to harmonising irrigation within a an economic, institutional and social analysis of these catchment, but the model to achieve that collaboration opportunities and the identification of barriers to the and integration will vary from region to region in implementation of these measures. terms of the nature, extent and order of research to be undertaken. Ultimately, some regions may move The framework involves five feasibility steps including three to a Regional Irrigation Business Partnership, as it was research components designed to study the bio-physical, originally conceived through the System Harmonisation economic and institutional aspects, and a business program, but the nature, direction and timeframe will be analysis component which, originally, aimed to lay the determined by the regional participants. There are also basis for the establishment of Regional Irrigation Business important issues about the ways in which such visions Partnerships (RIBP). It was envisaged that RIBPs would be may be realised, which will impact on the outcomes. This used to implement stakeholder agreed interventions in a aspect of the system harmonisation experience is being business context. further explored within the research program. Refining Five regions were identified with the aim of establishing the focus of the established regional groups to directly RIBPs in each to identify opportunities for improved support integration and delivery of research outcomes management of surface and groundwater resources in each of the remaining System Harmonisation regions is to satisfy environmental and consumptive demand in now the objective.
1 A change in System Harmonisation leadership occurred in 2007–08. Dr Shahbaz Khan left to take up the position of Chief of Sustainable Water Resources Development and Management with UNESCO in Paris. Dr Keith Bristow and Jeff Camkin were subsequently appointed as joint Program Leaders.
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4.1.2.1 System Harmonisation Science Integration – Partnering with Regional Irrigation Communities
SUB-PROGRAM LEADER: Mr Glen Starkey, Queensland Natural Resources and Water
public interest stakeholders. OBJECTIVE Targeted surveys were carried out to identify how best To integrate System Harmonisation outputs into to deliver research outcomes into regional irrigation sustainability frameworks and processes that serve communities, both rural and urban communities. and align well with regional irrigation communities’ Processes are being developed to incorporate and if research and management challenges while possible, convert this knowledge into research outcomes supporting opportunities for more sustainable and through regional utilisation of our work. resilient futures. A great deal has been learned about the issues in each region, but also about the types of approach, STRATEGIES skills and resources needed to better engage irrigators, • Operate across selected regional irrigation government and research teams in the development communities working closely with all the research of harmonised approaches to improved irrigation. disciplines and with the regional committees receiving Our research in the Coleambally Irrigation region is the research outputs. contributing to Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative • Liaise extensively with governments, regional irrigation Limited (CICL) $23 million modernisation program aiming businesses, industry associations and regional to improve productivity and reduce the environmental communities to secure and integrate program outputs footprint of irrigation. Workshops with the irrigation that meet research needs and outcomes. community to prioritise research issues in Coleambally • Establish and encourage where necessary appropriate were well received. They bolstered and focused the business arrangements between CRC IF researchers long standing relationships between CICL and CRC IF and regional communities to develop research researchers to support CICL’s drive to become a more products on time and on budget. sustainable and resilient irrigation farming community. • Encourage regional research committees to own and In the Limestone Coast region in the south east of South manage the research outputs adding to their own Australia the CRC IF’s attempts to set up a regional local program of activities and also set in place a irrigation community research committee have not process that allows this to continue beyond the life of progressed satisfactorily, leading to a refocusing of our the CRC IF. research and subsequent reduction of activities to suit • Assist selected regional irrigation communities to build local needs. Research products have been focused on their capacity to move to a sustainable and resilient delineation of the water cycle balance in the region and future utilising sustainability frameworks. on the institutional aspects of water management in the region. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE The Macintyre Brook regional irrigators association in Southern Queensland have worked with our researchers Consolidation of the research integration processes to understand and deliver their emerging research by workshopping the System Harmonisation research needs. This is in response to the region’s Water Resource framework and its components with selected regional Operating Plan being introduced during the course of the irrigation communities was a focus in 2007–08. The aim year. The group identified the greatest need as one of was to test our assumptions and theories on how System creating a sustainability framework that will deliver a State Harmonisation concepts are best integrated using a of the Catchment Report and an accreditation system systems approach and in a catchment context for that gives the valley and its irrigation farmers a “Green delivery to a range of clients who use water for irrigation Tick” by embracing monitored sustainable irrigation purposes. farming practices. This is a reflection of a national (and In all regions, detailed consultation and research are international) emerging need. now underway to identify impediments, support and The Northern Australia Irrigation Futures (NAIF) chose innovations that could allow the system to move towards the Lower Burdekin region of Queensland for the more desired states. Comprehensive engagement development of a prototype sustainability framework between our researchers and selected irrigation consisting of an ecologically sustainable development communities using a fast-paced, yet intensive facilitated component tree system, a web-based Lower Burdekin process has focussed on early identification of priorities, Knowledge Platform, and processes for improving the needs and the nature and style of research outputs. integration of science, policy stakeholders and industry This work is a collaboration of state, local and federal through the Lower Burdekin Water Futures group. government agencies, including a range of business and
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The CRC IF partners have worked with great intensity A new Science Plan for NAIF is being developed in and collaboration with local water organisations in the consultation with the NAIF Steering Committee. Work in Western Sydney irrigation region centred on the Western the Lower Burdekin will continue to be a focus, including Sydney catchment of the Hawkesbury Nepean River further development of the Lower Burdekin Knowledge System. There is now strong ownership by the stakeholders Platform with funding support from the Burdekin Dry of the science behind our harmonisation processes. They Tropics NRM, and more work understanding the complex have jointly developed a project called the Western hydrology of the Lower Burdekin. It is expected that Sydney Water and Irrigation Strategy Enhancement the Lower Burdekin Water Futures group will have an through Regional Partnerships (WISER) to deliver an increasingly important role in identifying research needs integrated sustainability framework for the region. One and priorities to support the harmonisation of irrigation in of the key elements in this is to explore the potential to the Burdekin catchment. create an urban market for environmental services from Successful integration of System Harmonisation processes agricultural and environmental uses of water. in the Macintyre Brook region will see the CRC IF becoming a collaborator with a reinvigorated regional FUTURE DIRECTIONS community led research agenda. We will have assisted Research will focus on utilisation of System Harmonisation the Macintyre Brook Irrigators Association to build frameworks and products in our selected regions. We their capacity to move to a sustainable and resilient will deliver specific and regionally based irrigation future utilising their customised sustainability framework harmonisation work plans developed collaboratively with which builds on our 3D GIS characterisation of natural our selected regional irrigation research committees. resource, farm production and water use information in Wherever possible, the research will give focus association with the water balance report completed in and alignment with national research priorities and 2007–2008. We are currently exploring the potential for researchers and our regional irrigation communities this collaboration to generate a national prototype for will endeavour to work closely with Federal, State and recognition of sustainable water use. regional groups responsible for delivery on those priorities. In the Coleambally irrigation region the System In the Western Sydney region the WISER project team and Harmonisation 3D GIS characterisation and supporting committees which brought together five local authorities water, economic and institutional frameworks and models and the Metro Water Directorate will deliver a very that give effect to the assessment of selected land and directed research workplan giving products needed over water use scenarios developed by the project committee the final two years of the CRC IF. The project will give the will be put through their paces. This will allow the irrigators collaborators results that inject much needed science to to work with the research team to understand the build understanding of local water use and management sensitivity of opting for different scenarios. There will be an scenarios and their impacts on the catchment. opportunity to have more intensive science investigations Particularly, UNE SCIP research work for 2008/09 will focus of the impacts on groundwater interactions with irrigation on exploring the feasibility of markets for social and and river flow regimes that the implementation of the environmental services and on the ongoing integration scenarios might bring. of hydrology, ecosystem and economic aspects of the Western Sydney system.
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4.1.2.2 Northern Australia Irrigation Futures
SUB-PROGRAM LEADERS: Dr Keith Bristow and Mr Jeff Camkin, CSIRO Land and Water
NAIF research under a four-year National Program for OBJECTIVE Sustainable Irrigation (NPSI) project concluded in 2007–08. To develop new knowledge, tools and processes The work examined surface and groundwater systems to support debate and decision making regarding in Australia’s north and their potential to support various irrigation in northern Australia forms of irrigation, and processes for water and irrigation decision making. NAIF has highlighted the unique and historic opportunity to ensure that management and use STRATEGIES of Australia’s northern land and water resources takes • Delineating key landscape attributes (including soil place within a strategic, ecologically, culturally and and water resources, climate, vegetation, rivers, near economically sustainable framework. shore marine environments, and where appropriate Three case study areas (Lower Burdekin, Katherine- links to people, industries, markets) relevant to Douglas-Daly and the Ord River) provide valuable insights ecologically sustainable irrigation across northern into irrigation in northern Australia and a mechanism Australia for testing the new knowledge, tools and processes • Using key landscape attributes to develop being generated through NAIF and the broader System sustainability indicators and associated management Harmonisation program. The Lower Burdekin, in particular, criteria covering a range of scales (field, farm, district, is the focus for much of the development work on the irrigation scheme, catchment) for northern Australia NAIF sustainability frameworks through the Lower Burdekin • Developing an overall framework that, through their Water Futures Group. involvement, is embraced by policy makers, regulators, The NAIF research is guided by an active Steering investors and managers, to help ensure any irrigation Committee consisting of senior representatives from NT, is managed in a consistent, ecologically sustainable WA, QLD and Australian water departments. A ten person manner in northern Australia stakeholder reference group also provided important • Using linked case studies and stakeholder input to insights and testing. support and inform development and testing of the framework Achievements during 2007–08 include: • Through provision of a robust framework, contribute • Submission and approval of the NAIF Final Report and tools and knowledge to support considered debate, Final Technical Report to NPSI decision making and long term strategic planning for • Seven journal papers/book chapters/published northern Australia and Australia as a whole. conference proceedings, six science / technical reports, four research bulletins, three project reports, two editions of the e-newsletter NAIFnews and RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE one industry newsletter article, relating to Northern Northern Australia accounts for 40% of the Australian Australian water resources and irrigation, irrigation landmass, is largely undeveloped and is one of the few mosaics and irrigation decision-making processes very large natural areas remaining on earth. With 60 to • Twenty-six presentations at conferences, workshops 70 per cent of Australia’s fresh water discharging from and major meetings tropical rivers, and reduced water availability in much of • Eight appearances in radio and print media southern Australia due to drought, climate change and increasing water demand, there is rapidly growing interest • Development of an internet-based Lower Burdekin in the land and water resources of the north. Knowledge Platform, a model for which there is growing interest in other catchments across Australia Key questions are whether irrigation should play a • NAIF paper Designs for the future: The role of significant role, and if so, where should it be located, sustainable irrigation in northern Australia received a what should it look like and how should it be managed? Hromadka Award Diploma “for outstanding scientific Decisions about these important issues are the contribution” at the Sustainable Irrigation 2008 responsibility of governments and the community. conference in Alicante, Spain. Established in 2003, Northern Australia Irrigation Futures (NAIF) is a collaboration of four State and Territory • Coordination of a visit by Dr Mark Dent, University governments responsible for Northern Australia, research of KwaZulu-Natal who gave ten presentations in organisations and industry. This work aims to support four states and the ACT to 250 participants from 21 that decision-making, and to help ensure that any organisations on opportunities for learning from South development of Australia’s northern land and water African and Australian experiences in water reform. resources takes place within an ecologically sustainable development framework.
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Through NAIF, the CRC IF System Harmonisation program FUTURE DIRECTIONS has highlighted the importance of developing a system- Future direction for research through NAIF is under wide understanding of irrigation in northern Australia consideration by the NAIF Steering Committee. Ongoing and a shared vision for its future. Irrigation must be and potential future research includes: preceded by catchment-scale water, salt and nutrient management plans to deliver long-term ecologically • Existing CRC IF Post Doctorate working on groundwater sustainable development. Generating localised short- geochemistry in northern water systems term benefits from irrigation is relatively ‘easy’, delivering • Four existing PhD Students examining tropical water catchment-scale long-term sustainability is the real systems and irrigation decision-making processes challenge. The work has also demonstrated that while • Further examination of the concept of irrigation no single framework can hope to ensure sustainability, mosaics, expanding beyond initial biophysical it is possible to deliver knowledge, tools and processes modelling work into understanding of ecological, that can help governments and catchment communities social, economic and institutional benefits and costs charged with making decisions about these complex issues. • Further work on understanding northern Australian water systems, particularly the salt balance and fate of nutrients and other solutes in northern irrigation systems • Further research on irrigation and water resources policy and decision-making to support cross- jurisdictional approaches to managing northern Australia’s water resources.
CRC IF PhD students Steve Marchant and Lucy Reading in the Burdekin cane fields.
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4.1.2.3 Water Cycle Management
SUB-PROGRAM LEADER: Professor Hector Malano, University of Melbourne
FUTURE DIRECTIONS OBJECTIVES The third strand of the water cycle research will involve Identify opportunities in the regional water cycle exploration of modeling frameworks to test and analyse which could lead to improved water productivity future regional System Harmonisation strategies. as well as environmental benefits. This phase has begun in Western Sydney with the identification of basic scenarios by stakeholders in the STRATEGIES catchment and the conceptualization of the model components. The key scenarios identified by stakeholders • Development of conceptual models for each in Western Sydney include significant changes in the region to explain the hydrogeology and biophysical land use pattern in the catchment resulting from large environment of the region. increases in urban development in the next decade. • Quantify the hydrological characteristics of the regions Modelling of the System Harmonisation futures in the with particular emphasis on water (quantity) and region will involve two key capabilities: impacts of land material fluxes (quality). use changes on catchment runoff and substitution of • Region specific modelling framework of the water recycled water for potable water. cycle to analyse and identify opportunities for The modelling framework formulated for the Coleambally improving water productivity as well as environmental region was developed to address the key objectives outcomes. of the regional stakeholders and hinges on three main areas: Surface-groundwater interactions based on the RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE use of SWAGMAN DESTINY, MODFLOW groundwater modeling and the impact of future developments for The water cycle research in each of the regions involves Ethanol Fuel and large feed lot cattle enterprises on the the characterisation and description of the system using seasonality of flows in the Murrumbidgee river. The first two three dimensional (3-D) conceptual modelling. The first elements of the framework are now in progress with the versions of 3-D models have been completed for Western basic SWAGMAN model set up nearing completion. Sydney, NSW; Coleambally, NSW; Macintyre Brook, Qld and Limestone Coast, SA. The 3-D conceptual models The modelling phase of the water cycle research in depict the hydrogeology of the regions by illustrating the Macintyre Brook region is currently being discussed the geologic formations, hydrological flows, capacity of with the stakeholders in the region. A comprehensive aquifers and surface-groundwater and the agricultural modelling framework has been conceptualised and is and environmental interactions. These 3-D models in the subject of the current stakeholder consultation which their current static form have been presented to the four will determine the future research direction of the water regions in a series of workshops. Selected capabilities of cycle in this region to deal with potential environmental, the 3-D model will be linked to the various water cycle economic and social impacts associated with changing models to provide enhanced dynamic visualisation of the water allocation system from announced allocation modelling results. to continuous sharing. The key second phase of the sub-program involves the construction and evaluation of the system’s stocks and flows. In this phase we are essentially populating the 3-D conceptual models and accounting for all water supplies and uses. Data collection and the development of databases have now been completed for the four regions. This data forms a baseline assessment and allows the development, calibration and validation of models to be used in the following phase of the water cycle research. From an initial assessment of the water balance important insights into the current use of the water resources Researcher Saud Akbar taking river flow measurements using have been revealed. For example, it has been possible RiverCat equipment. to identify some preliminary opportunities to effect productivity and environmental gains. This phase brings to a conclusion the water cycle analysis in the Limestone Coast region. Researcher Saud Akbar taking river flow measurements using RiverCat equipment.
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4.1.2.4 Markets and Productivity
SUB-PROGRAM LEADER: Dr Brian Davidson, University of Melbourne
the current operation of the flows needs to be expressed. OBJECTIVE It was suggested that this could be done using a social To provide tools to assess the environmental matrix approach. This approach allows for a clear outcomes or regional values that is primarily assessment of the stakeholders involved in a system. The affected by a more harmonised irrigation second stage involves quantifying the value of water practice. used for different purposes in a catchment. In the third stage of the analysis a social cost benefit approach is applied to assess the outcomes society derives from STRATEGIES allocating water to different uses. Finally, there is a need The following strategies govern the products and markets to link this component with the water cycle work. This component of the project: conceptual work has published in a CRC IF report. • Develop modelling methods to isolate and value Elements of this approach have been applied in the regional products and services produced by the Coleambally and Western Sydney. Social matrix work is irrigation industry. complete and ready to be written up. Data has been • Ensure strong linkages to the hydrology and institutional collected to undertake a valuation process for water frameworks so that environmental, economic and in agriculture and studies have been reviewed for the social model simulations are based on hydrological other sectors. In addition, the basis of social cost benefit realities and institutional possibilities. models has been formulated ready for data population. Strategies for integrating this work with other sub- • Work closely with the RIBP’s so that their environmental, programs of System Harmonisation are in place. economic and social objectives are captured in the model framework. FUTURE DIRECTIONS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Future work will involve populating the models with data A modelling approach that can account for the social from two regions, Coleambally and Western Sydney, desires and economic outcomes local communities and analysis of the baseline scenarios. This will involve have for their water resources has been developed. To ongoing interactions with other System Harmonisation understand and assess this, first the social components sub-programs to determine and evaluate modelling of the dynamic relationship between the environment scenarios. The extensive discussions and reporting to and extractions for human use needs to be quantified. regional stakeholders that has been a feature of this work Rivers are controlled for a purpose and concerns about will continue.
CRC IF researchers on Western Sydney’s Hawkesbury River.
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4.1.2.5 Social, Cultural, Institutional and Policy Frameworks
SUB-PROGRAM LEADERS: Professor Jennifer McKay, University of South Australia & Professor Paul Martin, University of New England
the ‘System Harmonisation journey’, and by the testing OBJECTIVE of a coupled systems modelling instrument (in Western Understand and identify the most appropriate Sydney) as a means for increasing the capacity of change management strategies, institutional, law users of research to make use of that research. and policy settings required to facilitate a more • Using sophisticated survey approaches, including productive and eco socially sustainable irrigation Photovoice and focus groups, to evaluating the region. receptivity and support of communities (and specific stakeholder groups) to adopt proposed institutional STRATEGIES water reforms. This work is focussed on the Limestone Coast and Coleambally regions. This subprogram considers key institutional concerns, in parallel research streams, including: Research activities and achievements to date • Understanding the impediments in our regions to the adoption of institutional innovations, such as those Extensive desk and field research has been completed emerging from the other System Harmonisation in all case study areas of the program in relation to the research. There is particular emphasis on the adoption of institutional innovations. Interviews were first movement towards greater use of environmental conducted with key participants in the irrigation industry markets and collaborative regulation. and with State and Federal government agencies. In the Limestone Coast and Coleambally regions the • Proposing new methods to identify and address high- management of the Catchment and Natural Resources level policy risk, risks of non-adoption, poor design or Management boards were also engaged. The focus of negative spillovers, including relating to innovations the work to date has been to understand ‘desired future emerging from the System Harmonisation program, or states’ that would represent implementation of improved which are impacting on the irrigation sector from other policy and governance arrangements, using methods sources. tailored to address region-specific considerations. In • Investigating options for improved accountability for Macintyre Brook the desired state (derived from interviews irrigators’ social license to irrigate, through duties of and workshops) is focused on delivering market incentives care and improved public reporting and reduced transaction costs of regulatory compliance • Improving the capacity of researchers and for improved environmental management. In South the irrigation sector to shape and implement Creek, the focus that has emerged from consultation transformational change. This work is being conducted is on reducing legal and administrative complexity through qualitative, multi-perspective evaluation of and increasing the economic capacity to deliver
PhD student Virginie Gillet (left) and guests at the Photovoice exhibit in Adelaide, SA.
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environmental services. In Limestone Coast the emphasis Photovoice provides an opportunity for irrigators to that emerged from interviews and workshops is the desire represent issues associated with irrigation through photos to increase certainty in the water planning process. The on themes relating to water use and justice, and a Coleambally desired future gravitates around improved workshop of the local photographers to select the best production value from limited water supplies. photos. A Photovoice project completed in the South East was exhibited under the title Picturing water use and The work on methods to identify and address high-level justice at the Adelaide Fringe Festival with the support policy risk has principally been through literature reviews of SA Arts ARTLAB, and two wineries. The exhibit has and interviews with risk experts; and with exploration toured to Mount Gambier and Oxford, ExpoZaragoza, of the ways in which various methods for identification Spain, where it appeared in the Water Theatre and is and management of risk might be used to inform policy booked into the Millicent Gallery. Comments received review. This work is being consolidated into a draft at all venues demonstrate the value of this approach in methodology, and a survey of risk perceptions is being exposing irrigators’ perspectives to a wider audience. A designed. Coleambally Photovoice workshop is scheduled for late The research on aspects of defending the social license September 2008 and further public events are planned. to irrigate has been carried out in two streams. The duty of care aspect is being developed through PhD research Future Directions using extensive interviews conducted with legal experts, Further research on adoption of institutional innovations governments, and policy academics. This has been will be focused on detailed interviews, negotiations and coupled with examination of the case and statutory workshops, and upon authoring research papers on the law, and of the policy literature around the topic. A results to date. Workshops with government stakeholders method for testing the practicality of this approach has have been designed for two state capitals and in been decided, and the relevant experiment designed. Canberra. As a result of this intensive interaction, we This involves a novel methodology for evaluating legal anticipate that by the end of the research program we instruments. will be able to report on: In relation to triple bottom line reporting, there has • Agreed positions between government and other been extensive interaction with the management of stakeholders for the implementation of the desired Goulburn-Murray Water and with experts on this form of state arrangements; reporting. As a result, improved implementation methods • Remaining impediments and issues which need to be have been proposed. In addition, we have carried out addressed in order to move towards the desired future detailed surveys of the public reporting requirements of states; Goulburn-Murray, and have conducted a transaction cost evaluation of these. Publications have been drafted • Legal and institutional changes needed to give effect on these issues. to these intentions. The transformational change research has been Next steps in the program to identify high-level policy risks principally conducted using observation and an action are to complete and circulate draft methodologies for research approach, coupled with in-depth surveys of expert critical review, and to commence the process of key participants in the process. A perceptions survey has testing the methods by applying them within the case been prepared, and further interviews and consolidation study regions. This will include deployment of policy of perceptions are planned. It is intended that a risk-perception surveys. It is expected that this stage will highly participative approach be used for the further identify many challenges, as this research is novel, and development of this research. the issues complex. By mid 2010 we anticipate we will be In relation to the coupled-systems modelling work, a able to report on the methods, results from trialling, and systems dynamic model is being developed through potential future directions towards a robust and practical participative workshops. This will be developed in a form system for policy risk assessment. that can allow users to explore key system relationships Further work in relation to defending social license which are reflected (in far greater technical depth) in the through triple bottom line reporting is principally hydrological and economic models being developed by concerned with documenting, publishing and other Systems Harmonisation researchers. The researchers communicating the results of our research. In relation will then explore the efficacy of this approach in to the Duty of Care, publication of the work will follow improving the capacity of the users to make fuller use of completion of the planned jurisprudential experiments. the more sophisticated models. System Harmonisation sub-program leaders are The work on evaluation of the receptivity and support of consulting on appropriate methods to complete the communities (and specific stakeholder groups) to adopt transformational change research. proposed institutional water reforms and in particular the community attitudes to changes in water policy has been completed in the Limestone Coast and Coleambally regions. It shows a public reluctance to use markets. This internet survey will be followed up by a mail survey in Coleambally, and focus groups.
22 5 Education and Training
PROGRAM LEADERS: Professor Peter Cornish, University of Western Sydney and Mr Eddie Parr, NSW Department of Primary Industries
OBJECTIVES • Greater irrigation science research capacity in Australia. • Greater technical capacity within the irrigation industry.
Education
Research Capacity The Education program is building Australia’s research capacity in the irrigation and water resource management fields. New research capacity in the biophysical, social and economic areas is required to address the challenges in the coming decades. After five years the CRC IF has established a 52 strong postgraduate student cohort and a further seven honours students across eleven universities. Table 5 outlines the CRC IF progress towards our goal of fifty postgraduate student completions.
Table 5. Research students Year 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 In course 12 PhD’s 27 PhD’s 33 PhD’s 41 PhD’s 44 PhD’s 0 MSc’s 1 MSc’s 2 MSc’s 2 MSc’s 2 MSc’s 2 Honours 3 Honours 2 Honours Graduated 0 0 1 PhD 2 PhD’s 6 PhD’s 2 Honours 5 Honours
This year saw the graduation Drs Imogen Fullager, conducted to draw out principles on stakeholder Malcolm Gillies, Ganesh Keremane and Kanya Lai Khatri engagement and communication, respecting differing bring to six the number of PhD graduations. A further viewpoints, dealing with uncertainty and the need for seven PhD theses were submitted for examination during clear boundaries. Postgraduate groups then undertook the year. Fourteen of our research students have move role plays on Urban desertification, Government purchase back into employment across a range of public and of water, Lead up the garden path, Will irrigation savings private organisations as outlined in Table 6. ever provide environmental flows?, and Piping water south. During the year the CRC IF conducted its Annual The afternoon “Enough Rope with Postgrads” involved a Postgraduate student day structured interview process learnings from our advanced prior to the Annual Research postgraduate students are passed on to those just Forum in Townsville. The starting their studies, and from our senior researchers to Annual Postgraduate our postgraduates. This session was then followed by student day addresses team activities providing insights into leadership and generic issues across the collaboration. student cohort. At this Contribution to the research effort event new students are inducted into the CRC IF The CRC IF’s postgraduate students are connected by the CEO and provided to the research programs. Twenty-six postgraduate with a Postgraduate Survival students have research projects aligned with the System Manual. At the same time Harmonisation programs and 26 in the Irrigation Toolkits CRC IF PhD graduate Malcolm our continuing students program (Table 6). These connections provide a wider Gillies on his graduation day were involved in a workshop research framework into which postgraduates’ research with senior researchers and outputs can be integrated in industry policy, planning Board members to understand the publication process and practice. and how to survive manuscripts reviewer’s comments. During the year, postgraduate students have produced The two groups then came together for a session on fifteen refereed journal publications and 35 conference how does science engage with significant and complex papers. Twenty-one students have also presented papers decisions and what are our roles and responsibilities. A or posters at national and international conferences, role play by senior researchers and Board members on with CRC IF financial assistance from their postgraduate Irrigation – what place in northern Australia? was research grants.
23 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 Graduate destination Commencement date with CRC IF, February 2006 March 2005 March March 2005 March February 2005 Submitted November 2007 CSIRO Land & Water Submitted March 2008, Submitted March IC Water Submitted March 2008, Submitted March IC Water February 2005, Sydney Water January 2005 February 2004, Department of Water WA Submitted May 2004 Submitted August 2007 Ghartey Associates Ghana Submitted May 2008, University of Sunshine Coast Graduated April 2008, Centre for Comparative Water Policies and Laws Graduated November 2007, State Ground Water Manager for Tasmania Graduated September 2006, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water Thesis title Table 6. CRC IF postgraduate students The development of a measurement system of sustainability factors for The development of a measurement irrigation systems Supply chain barriers to the adoption of sustainable irrigation practices Triple bottom line reporting in irrigation: does it lead to enhanced bottom line reporting Triple sustainability? Lessons from the North and the South: New Strategies for Improved the North and South: New Strategies for Improved Lessons from Decision Making in Irrigation and Land Management and Productivity Water Changing Seasonality of Flows to Improve PerformanceEnvironmental at the Catchment Level The effect of irrigation on surface water interactions: and ground quantifying time dependent spatial dynamics in irrigation systems Economic appraisal of conjunctive water management Sustainable Use of Stormwater for Irrigation on Golf Course. Case Study: Manly Golf Course Management response to reductions in water entitlements to reductions Management response Institutional arrangements and practices for learning and social-ecological in irrigation and water management systems resilience in irrigation distribution systems including the effects Feasible improvements of on-farm water storage Improving the combined ecosystem and farmingImproving in system resilience an application and development of Integrated Water irrigation areas: Management Resource Allocation and Use Decision-making in Water Governance Reuse For Agriculture: Paradigms and Urban Wastewater Institutional Arrangements in Australia and India Conjunctive water management: Australian irrigator attitudes and practices, and implications for institutional arrangements Sustainable institutional regimes for sustainable groundwater management for sustainable groundwater Sustainable institutional regimes in Australia – implications for water policy University University of New England University of Queensland Charles Sturt University Curtin University of Technology University of Melbourne Charles Sturt University Charles Sturt University University of Western Sydney University of Western University of South Australia University of Melbourne University of Melbourne University of New England University of Queensland University of South Australia Charles Sturt University University of South Australia Name Eric de Regt John McVeigh Michael Mitchell Peta Dzidic Amgad Elmahdi Jacqui Watt Ismail Hirsi Melanie Schwecke Geoff Kuehne Bart Kellett Matthew Berrisford David Essaw Claudia Baldwin Ganesh Keremane Imogen Fullager Program 1: System Harmonisation Diwakara Halanaik
24 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 Graduate destination Commencement date with CRC IF, July 2007 January 2008 October 2007 January 2007 January 2007 July 2006 May 2004, SKM Consulting July 2006 January 2005 March 2006 March Graduated 2007 Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence, Environmental Protection Agency August 2006 Graduated May 2008 University of Sindh February 2006 Graduated May 2008 National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture Thesis title Exploring the Conjunctive management of groundwater and surfaceExploring the Conjunctive management of groundwater Can utilisation of in the Upper Ovens River Valley: water resources of supply to users reliability improve in periods of drought groundwater flows stream without reducing Conjunctive surface-groundwater allocation policy for connected systems risks and environmental to minimise productivity The social issues with unclear water regulatory systems The social issues with unclear water regulatory Groundwater Recharge in the Lower Burdekin: Understanding the Impacts Recharge in the Lower Burdekin: Groundwater of Soil Amelioration Decision making on irrigation development proposal: new ways to make Decision making on irrigation development proposal: better decisions in Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture The Practical Meaning of Duty Care systems cropping acre water use efficiency of broad Increasing and Recycling Treatment to Wastewater An Economic Approach detector for better irrigation weak front Building simple and robust management Minimising the environmental impact of irrigation systems through optimal impact of irrigation systems through Minimising the environmental energy and water use efficiency drying and deficit irrigation in cotton for use under large Partial rootzone mobile irrigation machines Design of Policy Instruments to Capture ExternallyDesign of Policy Instruments to Capture of Surface-Groundwater Dominant Irrigation Systems Interactions in Groundwater of surface control real-time irrigation Toward water environmental to maximising outcomes from An approach allocations Managing the effect of infiltration variability on the performance of surface irrigation University University of Melbourne University of Melbourne University of South Australia University of Queensland University of New England University of New England Charles Sturt ,University University of Melbourne University of Pretoria Charles Sturt University University of Southern Queensland Charles Sturt University University of Southern Queensland University of Melbourne University of Southern Queensland Name Daniel Lovell Kris Latu Virginie Gillet Lucy Reading Steve Marchant Mark Shepheard Christopher O’Neil Gayathri Devi Mekala Goitom Adhanom Tamara Jackson Tamara Simon White Rana Tariq Kanya Lal Khatri Horne Avril Program 2: Irrigation Toolkits Malcolm Gillies
25 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 Graduate destination Commencement date with CRC IF, August 2007 March 2008 March March 2008 March January 2007 March 2006 March May 2007 May 2007 Submitted June 2008 April 2007 February 2006 March 2007 March February 2006 March 2007 March April 200 March 2007 March March 2005 March July 2006 February 2005 March 2006 March January 2005 February 2006 Thesis title Denotes enrolled in Masters Program Denotes enrolled 1 Yield at farm high value horticulture in perennial – water use relationships – scales regional An investigation into the suitability of using winery wastewater for irrigation systems for the optimal application of Autonomous electromechanical chemical monolayer materials to open water surfaces point (NPS) nutrient pollution from Modelling agricultural non-point source to catchment scale. Nitrogen and Salt Leaching Management Strategies on Irrigated Salt- Nitrogen Affected Soils in the Chókwè Irrigation Scheme, Mozambique films Automatic sensing of evaporation suppressing Reducing water evaporation with novel monolayer materials Precision Soil Mapping for Improved Irrigation Management Soil Mapping for Improved Precision Soil Spatial variability effects on irrigation efficiency Quantifying the opportunity for precision irrigation associated with Quantifying the opportunity for precision spatial and temporal management of water application improved Understanding solute dynamics under advanced fertigation – a 3D modelling approach Leaching and non-steady non-uniform under salinity concentration profiles seasonably variable water quality and quantity Performance Evaluation and Optimisation of Bankless Channel Surface Irrigation Systems water use efficiency to increase Understanding plant water relations Thermal leaf optima for irrigation scheduling in cotton Managing root zone salinity in irrigated viticulture under conditions of zone salinity in irrigated viticulture Managing root maximum water use efficiency Informatics for Irrigation Decision Support Systems for large mobile irrigation machines (LMIMs) Real-time sensing and control Incorporating spatial variability in soil and crop properties for effective properties Incorporating spatial variability in soil and crop irrigation Mapping and understanding urban irrigation water use Precision application of water and nutrients for peri-urban horticulture in application of water and nutrients for peri-urban horticulture Precision Sydney Western Greater University University of Melbourne Monash University University of Southern Queensland University of Pretoria University of Pretoria University of New England University of Queensland University of New England University of New England University of Southern Queensland Flinders University University of Southern Queensland University of Southern Queensland Charles Sturt University University of Sydney Flinders University University of Melbourne University of Southern Queensland University of Southern Queensland University of Western Sydney University of Western University of Western Sydney University of Western 1 Name Mark O’Connell Kim Mosse Gavin Brink Der Laan Michael Van Paiva Munguambe Paul Coop Viola Deva- servatham Michael Herzig Bilal Hossain Belinda Kerridge Amjed Hussain Adam Sluggett Younes Ezlit Younes Michael Grabham David Deery Warren Conaty Warren Amy Richards Nick Car Cheryl McCarthy Jyoti Padhi Bhakti-Lata Devi
26 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
Honours The CRC awarded two honours scholarships (Dena Fam, The CRC IF also contributed to a number seminar University of Western Sydney; Edward Mosley, University series including presentations to the Department of of Melbourne) which were funded by the Irrigation Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the Australia Limited. The work of these honours students has National Water Commission. fed into the CRC IF Technical Report “Irrigation of Urban The CRC IF was involved in the organisation and Green Spaces: a review of the Environmental, Social and sponsorship of the second International Salinity Forum Economic benefits” held in Adelaide in April. This conference tackled the salinisation of water resources, including irrigation, dryland TRAINING, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS and urban salinity, and salt water intrusion. The Centre Pivot and Lateral Move Irrigation Course has Community forums as well as workshops to build been delivered 13 times during the year to 194 farmers, capacity of the stakeholders to interact with the advisors and consultants. These courses have been System Harmonisation research were conducted with delivered in Qld, NSW and Tasmania. Expansion into SA stakeholder groups in Coleambally, Macintyre Brook, and Vic will occur next year. Western Sydney and Limestone Coast of South Australia. The CRC IF’s commercialisation company, IF Technologies Green Tick Accreditation workshops with State Agency Pty Ltd, has licensed the course for ongoing delivery to officials and with regional Stakeholders were held in two organisations and negotiations are underway with Brisbane and Inglewood in association with the Macintyre another two organisations. This will ensure the course is Brook Regional Research Project. delivered beyond the life of the current CRC. A series of five workshops across Northern Australia and A Centre Pivot and Lateral Move Irrigation Masterclass one in Canberra were conducted to communicate course for advisors and consultants has been developed findings of the Northern Australia Irrigation Futures project. and will be delivered in Queensland and other states The Knowledge Exchange Team is actively working with depending on demand. Both courses have generated zone leaders and project leaders to identify training interest internationally. needs in the industry and how to meet these needs as The CRC IF is involved in the development and delivery outputs of research becomes available. Communication of eight irrigation training modules under the Cotton and and preparations are ensuring that research partners Grains Knowledge Exchange project. and industry groups are aware of potential products and services and how they can be tailored for delivery. A workshop “Applied Modelling of Water Flow and Contaminant Transport in the Vadose Zone” was held in July in Adelaide featuring Dr Jirka Simunek from the University of California, USA.
Participants at a Centre Pivot and Lateral Move Training Course held in Moree, February 2008
27 6 Research Collaborations
Collaboration across the CRC IF is required to achieve the Ian Smith from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Centre’s Mission. In practice, individuals collaborate with the team has developed a better understanding of individuals to achieve what they cannot do on their own. synoptic trends linked with the precipitation in the This collaboration is promoted and facilitated across the watershed of Coolmunda Dam in the Macintyre Brook CRC through a strong internal communication process: Catchment. This allows for more accurate forecasting of • A monthly newsletter, INFLO, keeps CRC IF members dam flows. and end-users up to date on activities and Markets and Productivity project leader Dr Brian Davidson opportunities to collaborate. is working with Dr Anthony Kennedy at the University • The use of an internet-based project management of Melbourne’s Department of Regional Development tool (CRCLife) to ensure all project members can to analyse the effect of water flows on the ecology of access relevant project documents. the Goulburn River. This work is used to determine the impact different allocations have on key environmental • The public website (www.irrigationfutures.org.au) promotes interchange across the 15 participants and indicators. The UWS-based team is connecting with a potential users of research by promoting the CRC number of local Councils in Sydney on best practice IF’s products, maintaining an up-to-date calendar irrigation guidelines for sporting fields and sustainable of events, providing an easy to use contacts page, effluent reuse for public open spaces, adding knowledge ensuring project information and outputs are readily to the processes being undertaking in Western Sydney. available, providing information on postgraduate The Social, Cultural, Institutional and Policy Frameworks students and their projects and listing media releases. (SCIP) team has collaborated with Professor Mark • An Annual Research Forum is held to bring together Burgman at the Australian Centre of Excellence in Risk CRC IF’s researchers, partners and postgraduate Analysis on the development and review of a policy risk students. The Annual Research Forum was held in manual, in particular methodologies underpinning the Townsville, Queensland, in September 2007 with 109 policy risk management strategy development. A range people attending. This forum includes updates on of stakeholders will be able to use this manual to test the research programs and postgraduate research, risks of policy interventions proposed for sustainable water field trips to highlight the issues of the host Zone, and management. face-to-face time to build relationships across the 15 Dr Jacqueline William’s ongoing work with Rod Shaw at partners. the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry • An annual planning meeting is held to promote (DAFF) is providing opportunities to contribute to the collaboration across the CRC IF and between projects design of new Australian Government NRM programs and programs. This annual event is key to creating, focusing on harmonised property management systems building, and rekindling the collaborative process to demonstrate sustainability. Dr Williams collaborated between researchers across the CRC IF. In 2007–08 with a multidisciplinary team from DAFF, the Australian it has led to increased technology transfer and Landcare Council, Australian National University, NSW knowledge sharing across regional boundaries. Natural Resources Commission, National Land and Water Audit, Winemakers Federation of Australia, Gippsland Beef Pty Ltd, Carbon Pool, South Coast NRM Inc. and 6.1 National collaborative Queensland Farmers’ Federation, to develop a proposed linkages national framework for sustainable agriculture that is contributing to the NRM National review for future The CRC IF has a well developed and growing Government NRM policy and program design. collaborative network across Australia, connecting Project Leader Professor Jennifer McKay collaborated with over 75 individuals and organisations in 2007–08. with Artlab, the Government of South Australia and These personal links connect the CRC IF to industry, our Leconfield Wineries to run a photographic exhibition, partner organisations, researchers and research and Picturing Water Use and Justice, at the Adelaide Fringe development corporations. Festival. The photographs were part of a Photovoice The Water Cycle Management project leader, Associate exercise in South East South Australia conducted by the Professor Hector Malano is working with Professor John SCIP project team. With over 300 visitors in 21 days, this Langford of the University of Melbourne to optimise on- event exposed CRC IF research to a broad audience and and off-farm system management which is fundamental helped to increase awareness of the organisation’s work. for System Harmonisation. Associate Professor Malano’s The Storage Dam Evaporation Mitigation engaged with work with CRC eWater is helping model the impact of Aquatech Pty Ltd, FSA Consulting and Howard Landloch various river operation policies on farm productivity Pty Ltd to review data analysis methods required by and environmental outcomes. A number of research consultants and obtain commercialisation advice. The collaborations through the Water Cycle Management team is further liaising with a number of commercial team are providing input into the CRC IF’s Regional collaborators on product development and potential Irrigation Business Partnerships. Collaboration with trial sites to commence commercial scale testing Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and increase stakeholder involvement across eastern (DWLBC) has provided data for the development of a Australia. groundwater conceptual model and water balance characterisation in the Limestone Coast. By linking with Dr
28 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
Collaboration with representatives from NRW Qld and South East Queensland Irrigation Futures is working with the Murray Darling Basin Commission has assisted in representatives from Growcom, Nursery & Garden identifying techniques for locating farm dams from Industry Queensland, Queensland Turf Producers satellite imagery and analysing impacts. Work with Association, Flower Association of Queensland Inc. Swinburne University in Melbourne to develop a prototype and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and application and control system has helped to improve Fisheries (QDPI&F) to conduct on-farm research trials to the design of an existing demonstration unit. By linking evaluate water use efficiency improvement strategies. with associates at UNE, UQ and KSV Scientific Instruments, This industry collaboration links CRC IF research with post graduate student Paul Coop has access to irrigation practitioners. The team is also accessing considerable theoretical and practical experience. additional resources and skills from QDPI&F through work on a collaborative research trial. The Tools for Irrigation Profitability and Longevity team is collaborating with growers, students, researchers The Solute Signatures team is collaborating with the and government departments to further their research, Department of Primary Industries and Resources of South development and delivery. This includes working with Australia (PIRSA) and a wide range of growers in to BSES and Canegrowers on an SRDC funded project to collect field data and document current irrigated crop refine and promote WaterSense. This collaboration is management practices. This includes approximately 20 improving the technical capability of WaterSense the Lower Murray wine grape and citrus growers. Project pathways to adoption in the sugar industry, making ways Leader Dr Richard Stirzaker is working with the Water for implementation of similar technology. Management Committee at DWLBC to develop accreditation systems data for leaching managers. Dr The team is working with MIA Horticultural Council, Wine Stirzaker is collaborating with commercial companies Grapes Marketing Board, and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Measurement Engineering Australia (MEA) and ICT Ltd on a range of issues including farmer irrigation International to develop new tools and is collecting data scheduling, water demand modeling and SMS delivery through Avowest Pty Ltd, which is providing a direct link of water trade, price, ETo, ETc and run times. Through this to growers. Commercial collaboration is also occurring work they have built a strong affiliation with on-ground with Incitec Pivot, Netafim Australia, Sentek Sensor organisations representing irrigators. Work with DEWHA Technologies and Hardy Wines, building greater industry on understanding irrigator decisions and providing new awareness within the team and further assisting research infrastructure costing models has the potential to feed and development efforts. into the National Water Initiative. The Smart Water Metering team is liaising with representatives at Measuring and Control Equipment (MACE) and Water Data Services on the provision of new logging telemetry equipment for trials, thus utilising emerging technologies.
29 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
6.2 Collaboration with other CRCs The CRC IF collaborates with four other CRCs. The engagement with other CRCs focuses on activities which meet an identified need and require the coming together of both organisations. Specific examples of these activities are provided in Table 7.
Table 7. Collaboration with other CRCs CRC Project Activity Industry sector Intended outcome CRC Landscape Joint project with Bureau of Linking irrigation management to Environments and Mining Rural Sciences groundwater response Mineral Exploration Joint project with Natural Resources and Water, Queensland Government and CRC Cotton Queensland Murray Darling Collaboration on common interests Catchment Cotton Committee – “Deep Drainage among CRCs Communities under Irrigated Cotton – Surface and Groundwater Implications” CRC for Polymers and CRC Cotton Collaboration on evaporation Cotton/Cross Collaborative research to develop new Catchment mitigation Industry technologies for evaporation mitigation Communities Recruit top quality candidate into the CRC Viticulture Joint funding of PhD Grape specific area of grape related water scholarship management CRC Cotton Recruit top quality candidate into the Joint funding of two PhD Catchment Cotton specific area of cotton related water scholarships Communities management Knowledge exchange activities (OVERSched CRC Cotton Utilise the existing delivery networks development; Centre Pivot Cotton Catchment of the CRC Cotton Catchment and Lateral Move training Communities Communities to deliver CRC IF products and performance; surface irrigation training)
team is working with researchers in Japan, India and Italy 6.3 International collaborative on hydrological models which may be applied locally. linkages Collaboration with researchers in Germany and the Netherlands is providing the team with outside knowledge During 2007–08, the CRC IF engaged in over 30 and experience international collaborative linkages. These occur at both the personal and organisational level across 13 countries. The UWS-based project team is working with Professor Vijay P. Singh, Texas A&M University, on Hydrologic The Water Cycle Management project leader Associate Modelling of Urban and Peri-urban Landscapes which Professor Hector Malano worked with Dr Hugh Turral at links directly with the Western Sydney RIBP’s hydrologic the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on work. Hydrological modelling and mapping carried out in a joint project which focuses on the development and Germany and the Netherlands is feeding knowledge and evaluation of water allocation policies in the Krishna River data into the project and providing useful information for Basin, India. The basin shares some important features Australian catchments. with the Murray-Darling Basin in relation to water scarcity and environmental degradation. Professor Malano is also Markets and Productivity Project Leader Dr Brian collaborating with Professor Bart Shultz at UNESCO-IHE Davidson collaborated with the International Water in the Netherlands on management and operation of Management Institute, through Peta Hellegars, to develop irrigation systems. Collaboration extends to exchange of frameworks for pricing agricultural uses for water. Dr visits and publication of a joint authored textbook which Davidson also worked with the IWMI on a wastewater exposes the CRC IF to an international audience. The project in Hyderabad, India, which analysed water use.
30 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
Collaboration on an ACIAR funded project on the North The Solute Signatures project is collaborating on China plain has assisted with developing a framework for experimental work with Dr Philippe Lobit Universidad valuing the environment. This collaboration enables the Michoacana de San Nicolás, Mexico, to develop and CRC IF to tap into a large knowledge base internationally test leaching and nitrate managers. Project Leader Dr to further our own objectives. Richard Stirzaker’s collaboration with Professor John Annandale, University of Pretoria South Africa, has led Social, Cultural, Institutional and Policy Frameworks to the University becoming a supporting participant of (SCIP) Project Leaders have helped promote the CRC the CRC IF and four Pretoria PhD students joining our IF to an international audience through their work with postgraduate cohort. Dr Stirzaker has also worked with fellow researchers. Professor Paul Martin collaborated Carlos Garcia of IPTRID in Italy on ways to get the Wetting with academics at Pennsylvania University in the US Front Detector into developing countries, which has given on water regulation and markets which provided high the CRC IF international exposure. The Solute Signatures quality inputs into CRC IF research and a potential for team has worked with fellow researchers and industry international extension. Professor McKay co-supervised representatives in the United States, New Zealand, Italy a Fullbright Fellow with Professor Oran Young at the and Spain to share knowledge and experience in an University of California which led to further research effort to further their research efforts and find solutions to collaboration. Links with the Oxford Centre for Water common issues. Research in the UK have led to further promotion of the photographic exhibition, Picturing Water Use and Justice, The Northern Australia Irrigation Futures (NAIF) project exposing Australian water use issues and CRC IF research hosted a visit from Dr Mark Dent, University of KwaZulu- to a greater audience. Natal who gave ten presentations in four states. The forum provided an opportunity to combine the water Storage Dam Evaporation Mitigation has engaged with reform learnings from South Africa and Australia. international researchers to promote CRC IF products and services to an international market and engage in The Education Program has developed links with collaborative research into monolayer products. Project International Water Management Institute and Leader Erik Schmidt is liaising with AMERA regarding a the University of Pretoria, South Africa through five collaborative project in the US to assess evaporative postgraduate research students. The Training Program mitigation at a mine site in Chile. has extended its reach overseas with joint delivery of the Centre Pivot & Lateral Move irrigation course in Beja, The Tools for Irrigation Profitability and Longevity team is Portugal with Centro Operativo e de Tecnologia de working with Dr Jim Ayars at the United States Department Regadio. of Agriculture (USDA) on the development of imagery analysis for canopy and conceptual approaches for SSIS. Through this relationship, CRC IF researchers have access to new knowledge about thermal and other imagery. Visiting researcher Guido D’urso, University of Napoli, has provided the team with an understanding of how satellite based irrigation scheduling has been implemented in Italy and how a commercial system may work. Project Leader Dr Evan Christen is collaborating with Dr Suduan Gao at USDA to write a book chapter on drainage, evaporation and basin water management. This is a high impact publication that presents Australian experiences to an international audience.
Dr Keith Bristow (left) with Dr Mark Dent from South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Dent visited Australia to share some of the experiences from South Africa’s water reform program.
31 7 Commercialisation and Utilisation
7.1 Commercialisation and IF Technologies Pty Ltd has licensed: 1. The delivery of the Centre Pivot & Lateral Move training utilisation strategies and course to Growcom and NCEA; activities 2. The use of the FullStop technology for research and commercialisation in Greece & Cyprus and Peru; The structure of the Centre’s research activities is aligned 3. The manufacture of the FullStop device to Agriplas; to the commercialisation and utilisation pathways for each program. The System Harmonisation Program 4. The Australian distribution of the FullStop device to MEA Integration sub-program is focused on partnering with who have sold 1014 devices nationally in the last two regional irrigation communities to deliver research years. outcomes and capacity building. A summary of the The licence agreement with the retail company, Sentek, regional research product uptake is provided in Table 8. remains active for the SoluSampler. To date more than The Toolkits Program is clearly aligned to producing 1,200 units have been sold commercial products. This program funds a Patent 2007201452: Methods and apparatus for measuring Commercialisation Manager who takes an active role in geometrical parameters of foliage converting the research Centre’s outputs into commercial Application Status: Filed products. A summary of training, consultancies, contract Paid to date: 03/04/2012 research, commercialisation and product development is Expiry Date: 03/04/2027 provided in Table 8. Inventor: Cheryl McCarthy Across the two research programs nine consultancies or contract research agreements have been entered into with a value of more than $1,700,000. 7.3 End-user involvement and CRC impact on end-users 7.2 Intellectual property The following table summarises the involvement of end- users in CRC IF activities including workshops and training, management expert advice, technology transfer, commercialisation, The Centre’s IP Register is kept with specialised IP planning and developing guidelines and publications. management software within our project management End-users of CRC IF research include representatives system CRCLife. This system allows the CRC IF’s IP records from public water industry organisations and government to be managed and linked to project and publications bodies, small to medium size enterprises in the private databases. IP is categorised as Background IP, Centre water industry (consultants, irrigation managers and IP or Prospective IP in accordance with the Centre catchment management associations), researchers and Agreement’s requirements. Currently, our IP register has the community. entries for Trade Marks, Patents and Copyright. The Centre’s Core Participants have invested significant effort in developing a Commercialisation and Trust Deed for the Centre’s IP management company IF Technologies Pty Ltd (ACN 112 275 153) (IFT). This Deed sets out the arrangements for the proprietary company holding IP in trust for the members of the Centre which is an unincorporated joint venture. IFT, as the Centre’s legal entity, holds Centre IP and Project IP in trust for the Core Participants in proportion to their equity in the Centre. The Centre’s Governing Board provides directions for IFT to act as the group’s commercialisation arm. IFT’s IP management practices are consistent with the National Principles of IP Management and have a clear intention to improve the outcomes from publicly funded research where a commercial outcome is appropriate.
32 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 CRC researcher(s) involved Deborah Atkins, Peter Smith Peter Smith Ian Goodwin Ian Goodwin, Mark O’Connell, John Hornbuckle Des McGarry Erik Schmidt, T Symes, P Pittaway Erik Schmidt, T Symes John Hornbuckle, Ian Goodwin, Nick Car John Hornbuckle Ian Goodwin E Schmidt, FSA Consulting T Symes users Actual or expected benefits to end Actual or expected benefits Improved investment decisions Improved and knowledge to integrate surfacemanage the transition from to overhead irrigation pressurised systems. Improved running of irrigation systems. Improved (fertiliser) and Cost reduction Sustainable productivity. increased improved through production management. efficient more productivity, Increased use of resources. (at this stage); creation Awareness change in practices to follow. Improved water management Improved Improved water management Improved Improved water management, Improved dollar returnincreased on produce quality due to increased Improved water management and Improved production agronomic improved efficient more production, Increased production. Improved water management Improved Improved water management Improved user Nature and scale of benefits to end Nature and scale of benefits The training course was run 13 times to 194 participants. Eight training modules were run 21 Eight training modules were times to 185 participants. in nutrient use efficiency, Increase in improved better nutrition resulting yield and fruit quality irrigation efficiency by Improve adapting to spatial variability Minimise water use, via minimising off-site effects of rising groundwaters; potentially saline Improved understanding of seepage Improved and evaporation water losses Better consulting services to irrigation industry Teaching analysis methods of drip Teaching systems for DU, understanding spatial variability and linkage of irrigation effects to wine quality Getting irrigators onto quantifiable irrigation scheduling methods Widespread use of fertigation systems and drip irrigation in orchards Improved understanding of product understanding of product Improved performance Improved regional assessment of regional Improved water losses Table 8. End-user Involvement in CRC Activities Type of activity Two Pivot and Lateral day Centre by the Move training course delivered Qld) NSW, CRC IF or licensees (Tas, Qld) In-field training events (NSW, Field day at Open Hydroponics (Vic) experimental site Tatura Adelaide (SA) AWITC Workshop, St George (Qld) Training of G-MW staff on measuring Training evaporation seepage losses. (Vic) Training in use of EvapCalc software, in use of EvapCalc software, Training (Qld) into Wine’ field day (NSW) ‘Water Envirowise course on irrigation Envirowise scheduling (NSW) field use in Open hydroponics Product experiment (Vic) Monitoring of performance of modular evaporation devices on mining storage at North Parkes mine (Qld) Assessment of storage dam climate data. evaporation losses from Hill (NSW) Broken End user Training Irrigators, consultants, resellers Irrigators consultants, Fruit growers, extension officers Wine grape industry Cotton industry consultants, extension staff and growers Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn-Murray Water Consultants IrriMATE Winery liaison officers/ horticultural Irrigators Horticultural farmers Consultancy Irrigation and fertiliser companies Rio Tinto BioSystems Engineering
33 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 CRC researcher(s) involved T Symes Evan Christen Shahbaz Khan. Robert Hoogers David Pezzaniti David Pezzaniti Erik Schmidt & Steve Raine Steven Falivene Jeremy Cape, Jeremy David Pezzaniti Ian Atkinson C Baillie, E Schmidt Geoff Inman-Bamber, Steve Attard users Actual or expected benefits to end Actual or expected benefits Improved water management Improved and better policy Awareness 23 GL of water savings per year and by between salt interception reduce 10 and 20%. practice and efficiency of Improved water application on-farm. Metering must comply with the new national standard. 10% improvement in water use 10% improvement efficiency by 2009 for SEQIF. Increased industry capacity to Increased while citrus productivity increase not adversely impacting on the environment. National Water Initiative has a National Water for accurate water requirement metering of any water purchased. Able to determine the cost benefit of irrigating public open spaces. Informed decisions on need to implement evaporation saving technologies. Significant industry benefit. Probably 5% of market penetration Probably so far user Nature and scale of benefits to end Nature and scale of benefits More precise estimates of storage precise More losses Education of policy makers in types irrigation systems in Australia This is the research component of a This is the research $23-million dollar investment program in irrigation modernisation aiming to and reduce productivity improve footprint. environmental Identify the factors that assist the uptake of SMART metering technology by irrigators Assist in the development and implementation of National Water metering standards. Improved irrigation water use Improved efficiency, benchmarking and best management practice. The technologies have the potential productivity dramatically increase the citrus industry. and quality from Non-urban water meters will require verification of their performance. The report provides a summary of provides The report social benefits of the environmental, irrigating public open spaces and an initial economic value of these benefits. Commercial service to assess Commercial evaporation and seepage losses from storages and efficient productivity Increased use of water Type of activity Calibration of seepage/evaporation meters (NSW & Qld) Act as Irrigation Expert for Consultancy by Hassall & Assoc to DEWHA (NSW) Research and technical support using Research and economic models. hydrologic (NSW) Identification of factors that potentially influence uptake of SMART metering technology (SA) Development guidelines for metering installation and configuration for systems (SA) pressurised Research and technical support to Research industry development officers in the dairy and turf,horticulture, flower, nursery industries of SE Queensland. Research and extension into the Research application of advanced fertigation in the Australian Citrus industry (NSW) Literature review and industry survey review Literature of existing technologies for water meter verification (NSW & SA) Literature review and economic review Literature analysis of the benefits irrigation urban open spaces (Vic, SA & NSW) License agreements and License agreements consultations for commercial deployment of storage monitoring systems Vic, NSW & QLD) Use of WaterSense irrigation Use of WaterSense scheduling system (Qld) End user Aquatech Consulting Department of Environment, Department of Environment, Heritage and Arts Water, Contract research Coleambally Irrigation Co- operative Limited (CICL) & Department of Environment, Heritage and Arts. Water, National Water Commission National Water National Water Commission National Water South East Queensland industry development officers Australian Citrus industry and SME’s servicing the industry National Water Commission National Water Managers of urban open spaces, open urban of Managers policy makers Commercialisation Aquatech Pty Ltd Sugar cane crop managers Sugar cane crop
34 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 CRC researcher(s) involved T Symes, P Palk, E Schmidt G Dodda, E Schmidt John Hornbuckle, Evan Christen, Nick Car Jack McHugh Steve Rees Anthea McClintock John Hornbuckle All CRC IF partners and sponsoring resourcing the System Harmonisation Program. rapidly and support users financial Actual or expected benefits to end Actual or expected benefits Better information on water loss Informed decisions on mitigation options Significant shifts in moving irrigators to quantifiable irrigation scheduling in significant water methods resulting the country saving across Small scale at this stage in product Small scale at this stage in product development, but many opportunities confidence in formalImproved decision making methods Better designed irrigation systems, benchmarking system performance water use efficiency for improving the environmental and reducing footprint of irrigation shocks to Resilience against future irrigated farming communities via water availability from reducing through change; climate and drought reducing changing markets. Communities will gain an understanding of the need to build local skill bases in farming practice and water management leadership in self to support strong management of water and natural sustainability of to ensure resources irrigated communities. user Nature and scale of benefits to end Nature and scale of benefits Estimates of evaporation losses from Estimates of evaporation losses from storages Economic assessment of evaporation losses and cost benefit Low cost, site specific irrigation scheduling information for the 80% of Australian irrigators remaining Increased use of sophisticated Increased technology for measuring irrigation activity Increased understanding of modernIncreased economic concepts for investment decision support A tool for the spatial analysis of irrigation system to define pressurised performance and variability in water and nutrients applied. The methodology could deliver pathways for agencies to build irrigation sustainable and resilient communities methods; Harmonisation Type of activity System the Software EvapCalc to determineSoftware storage dams evaporation losses from (Qld) Ready Reckoner to assess economic of evaporation mitigation. Web version upgrade (Qld) Satellite and SMS irrigation Scheduling Service (NSW) Demonstration and development of telemetry systems for irrigation management (Qld) Discussion about development of ROV tool with Netafim staff (NSW) On-line Drip Distribution Uniformity Assessment tool (NSW) especially how the researchers are are especially how the researchers managing engagement with regional irrigation businesses and communities with a view to delivering modification a more of irrigation districts towards future. sustainable and resilient Federal and State water land observing management agencies are and encouraging the development of End user Product development Consultants, irrigators Consultants, irrigators Irrigators, irrigation companies, water providers Irrigation hardware users Irrigation hardware Investment manager liaison officers, Grower consultants Irrigation Community engagement in System Harmonisation as a driver sustainability and towards of irrigated farmingresilience regional practice through partnerships.
35 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 CRC researcher(s) involved Jeff Camkin, Keith Bristow Uni WS, Melb, UNE multi-discipline System Harmonisation teams Christopher Stone & Jacqueline Williams Yun Chen and Yun Aftab Ahmad Jacqueline Williams users Actual or expected benefits to end Actual or expected benefits The regional stakeholders have a The regional that can be built upon as product and monitoring progresses research for sustainability and reporting encourages development of committed practices and stronger use of the principles underpinning sustainability framework. An informed and engaged community including state and local government decision makers for planning and responsible implementing a sustainable peri- urban water management strategy in region the South Creek the basis for implementation Agreed of an alternative model for services delivery that environmental can be used in other catchments. New pathways for accessing of System the systems approach Harmonisation being investigated are by the MBIA. The farmers with the support of CRC IF partners has decided to intensify their efforts in 2008-2009 to develop the sustainability framework including the TickGreen farm system. accreditation The research users will be The research participating in the development of their own sustainability framework Tickand Green farm accreditation system. user Nature and scale of benefits to end Nature and scale of benefits The knowledge platform focuses the water users regional Lower Burdekin and managers on practice change a sustainable and resilient towards future. Ensure relevance and ownership relevance Ensure of scenarios to be modelled by a committed client group. Working with users to create a viable with users to create Working model for delivery of environmental services. Identified the data gaps and much a of development to blockages sustainability framework for desired the irrigation farmers in the Macintyre valley. Brook efficiency in farmingIncreased improved operations through framework that sustainability reporting builds farming community resilience TBL while delivering increased outcomes. Type of activity Knowledge Platform and Sustainability Framework (Qld) Targeted engagement with research engagement with research Targeted extensive through recipients facilitated workshopping of research issues and scenarios (NSW) that Identified need for a project services in delineates environmental Catchment (NSW) South Creek GIS 3D characterisation of the valley biophysical attributes and water flow characterisation (Qld) Identification of alternative regulatory arrangements to serve irrigators and better in managing farmingregulators operation and natural resources management (Qld) End user Regional research product uptake Forum Water Lower Burdekin (and as capacity builds, other Northern Australia irrigation regions). South-Creek Western Sydney Western South-Creek urban water stakeholders Australia, Sydney Greening ROC and South Creek Wes Stakeholders Macintyre Brook Irrigators Brook Macintyre Association Macintyre Brook Irrigators and Brook Macintyre State govt agencies involved governancewith environment The Regional Irrigation Business Partnerships have also generated end-user involvement and uptake of research products as detailed in the following table. products The Regional Irrigation Business Partnerships have also generated end-user involvement and uptake of research
36 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 CRC researcher(s) involved CSIRO Land and Water Jennifer McKay, Adam Gray and Ganesh Keremane Water Cycle team Water users Actual or expected benefits to end Actual or expected benefits In combination with other work by being undertaken in the region this increased the water regulators understanding of groundwater water balance will lead to better that will management regimes in enhance sustainable productivity the region. The survey will be asking questions on several ‘water’ issues: water water allocations, the environment, trading, government policy & government to give water regulations managers and developers regulators, information community regarding attitudes to water that can inform their administration and decision making for water management in the region. Identifying opportunities and constraints for changes in water cycle management in CICL irrigation system user Nature and scale of benefits to end Nature and scale of benefits Data and analytical report to improve to improve Data and analytical report understanding of the extent and in the of the water resource nature region. The participants described their experiences and observations about pictures water use justice through using photography and a survey. The objective of the survey is to gain a of the social impacts picture clearer attitudes concerningand prevalent and looming governmentrecent policies and laws about water. Understanding the water cycle in CICL irrigation system Type of activity Mount Gambier – Regional water groundwater balance and regional balance (SA) Photovoice workshop and surveys to involve the irrigators in research (SA) Technical report on Water Balance on Water report Technical Characterisation of the Coleambally (NSW) Irrigation Area End user Limestone Coast Regional and Regional NRM Board Development Board Limestone Coast Regional and Regional NRM Board Development Board Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative Limited
37 8 Communications and Marketing
WaterSense, irriGATEWAY and the SoluSAMPLER were 8.1 Communications strategy added to the Irrigation Toolkits page in the second half The CRC for Irrigation Futures’ communications of 2007, and a new “Irrigation News” section containing and marketing strategy provides a framework for RSS feeds from ABC News (www.abc.net.au) was created communicating the activities of the CRC IF in a wide on the Homepage. The Training page has been updated number of forums. and now includes information and downloadable brochures on the Travelling Irrigator course, Irrigation TBL The Annual Research Forum (ARF) is the CRC IF’s key sustainability reporting and the Pivots and Laterals course. event for building and sustaining the collaborative culture within the organisation. Held in Townsville, Queensland, The CRC IF has also been involved in the development of the 2007 ARF focused in particular on irrigation in the two sister-sites, Cotton and Grains Irrigation tropical zone, with the field trip taking place in the (www.cottonandgrains.irrigationfutures.org.au) Burdekin. The forum was attended by 109 people, 93% of and South East Queensland Irrigation Futures whom were CRC IF in-kind. The ARF also has an external (www.seq.irrigationfutures.org.au). These sites focus and is located in a different irrigation dependant combine with the existing Northern Australia Irrigation community each year to increase interactions with the Futures website (www.clw.csiro.au/naif/) to help irrigation industry. In 2008 the ARF will be held in our promote the CRC IF’s research and increase the nation’s capital, Canberra, organisation’s virtual reach. and will focus largely on In the last two years, the bridging the irrigation CRC IF shifted its focus research and policy divide. to external events and INFLO e-newsletter continues increased communication to play a leading role with federal and state communicating with a wide politicians. Following on range of stakeholders. During from the success of this shift, the year INFLO subscribers the organisation maintained have risen from 1271to 1424 a strong presence at by June 2008. INFLO focuses industry conferences and on highlighting our outputs, sponsored both WaterSmart projects, students and Expo in Narromine New events to a mostly external South Wales (February 2008) nd audience. Only 14% of our and the 2 International subscribers are from the CRC Salinity Forum in Adelaide IF (Figure 4). South Australia (March 2008). The CRC IF had a Our main form of INFLO highly successful stall at the subscriber recruitment Irrigation Australia Expo in comes from clients Melbourne Victoria (May downloading documents Figure 4. Broad groupings of the 1424 INFLO 2008), which generated from the website. A total subscribers as at June 2008. great interest from visitors. of 1588 documents were CRC-partner in-kind members, postgraduate students, Board and CRC In February 2008 the CRC Corporate team; Commercial-irrigation industry and general consultants/ downloaded from July 2007 IF also hosted a cocktail – June 2008. This is proving service provides; Government-subscribers from our partners who are not in-kind contributions and all subscribers from non-partner government function in Canberra an effective method for organisations; Education-subscribers from our partners who are not in-kind attended by the CRC capturing and retaining contributions and all subscribers from non-partner education institutions; IF Board, CEO and key people interested in our Private-origin not identifiable, typically private subscribers using generic Canberra officials. outputs. email accounts; International-overseas subscribers. From 22 February until Since the public Website was 16 March this year, the revamped in May 2007 the site is continually updated CRC IF was involved in the photographic exhibition, with new information and features to keep it fresh and Picturing Water Use and Justice, at the Adelaide Fringe engaging. Since the previous year there has been a 42% Festival. The exhibit was organised by the CRC IF team at increase in website visits with more than 30,000 unique the University of South Australia to promote the results of a users visiting over 200,000 PhotoVoice exercise involving farmers, graziers, property times during the year. These visitors have viewed a total owners and government employees in the South East of of 1,912,260 pages, which is a 95% increase on the South Australia. Participants were asked to express their previous year. views on a number of water issues using photography and The products section of the Website is regularly updated words. A selection of these images was later exhibited at with publications (CRC IF and other publishers) and the festival for viewing by a general audience. workshop presentations which are both available for download where copyright permits and a page containing CRC IF articles from the IA Journal and IREC magazine was added.
38 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
8.2 Media 8.3 Public presentations The CRC IF uses the industry and mainstream media to In 2007–08 the CRC IF hosted or presented at 163 events, develop and enhance recognition of the organisation. including conferences, industry workshops and seminars, Media releases are produced and distributed in briefings, demonstrations, general public information association with our partners and placed on the CRC sessions and field days. Audiences included consultants, IF website, partner sites and the Expert Guide online researchers, students, growers, irrigators, catchment media portal (www.expertguide.com.au) where CRC IF management representatives, local council bodies and researchers’ contact details are listed. The CRC IF makes the Australian Government Department of Environment, regular editorial contributions to numerous trade journals, Water, Heritage and the Arts. including the IREC Farmers’ Newsletter, IAA’s Irrigation The CRC IF maintains a strong presence at industry Australia Journal, and AWA’s Water Journal. conferences with a number of researchers presenting at In 2007–08, CRC IF spokespeople and research activities the Irrigation Australia conference in Melbourne Victoria, were mentioned or featured in at least 101 news items the 2nd International Salinity Forum, the Sustainable in national, regional, metropolitan and trade media, Irrigation conference in Spain (June 2008), River with 65 print items, four television segments and 25 radio Symposium in Brisbane Queensland (September 2007), interviews recorded. At least seven online news items the Australian National Committee on Irrigation and were recorded, although this has not been monitored Drainage (ANCID) conference in Bundaberg Queensland and is likely to be much larger. (August 2007), the 13th Australian Wine Technical Industry Conference in Adelaide (July 2007) and International Coverage was achieved in national newspaper The Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM), Land and ECOS magazine; metropolitan newspapers The Christchurch New Zealand (December 2007). Advertiser (Adelaide), Canberra Times (Canberra) and the Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney); trade publications In the Zones, CRC IF has participated in regional trade Irrigation Australia, Grapegrowers and Vignerons, shows and field days, such as the WaterSmart Expo in Australian Cottongrower and Australian Canegrower; SBS, Narromine and the Mildura Agricultural Field Day. CRC IF SKY News, Channel Seven and WIN television stations; representatives have taken every opportunity to present and across various regional radio and print media. at events organised by partner institutions, including seminar series and symposiums at DPI Victoria and New In September 2007 the CRC signed up with an online South Wales, University of Melbourne, CSU, UNE, UWS and media monitoring service to better track press and CSIRO. Internationally, CRC IF members have presented broadcast media coverage on a regular basis and at 23 conferences and seminars in 10 countries. monitor the success of media activities. Previously very regionally-centred, the CRC IF’s media activities are taking on a national focus. A media consultant has been engaged to drive national media relations. The CRC is making a constructive contribution to the ongoing debate on water management and use. Richard Stirzaker explains how the FullStop works at the Irrigation Australia Expo in May 2008.
39 9 Publications
Our publications reflect the outputs directly arising from Khan, S., Abbas, A., Blackwell, J., Gabriel, H. F. and Ahmad, CRC IF activities (*) and the capacity of the CRC IF. A. (2007). Hydrogeological assessment of serial biological CRC IF authors are highlighted in bold. concentration of salts to manage saline drainage. Agricultural Water Management, 92: 64–72. Khan, S., Ahmad, A. and Wang, B. (2007). Quantifying rainfall and 9.1 Books or book chapters flooding impacts on ground-water levels in irrigation areas: a GIS approach. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage, Martin, P. (2008). The changing role of Law in the pursuit of 133: 359–367. sustainability in Bridging the Nth South Divide Ed: Michael Khan, S., Asghar, M. N., Mushtaq, S. and Ahmad, A. (2008). On- Jeffrey, Jeremy Firestone, Karen Bubna-Litic, IUCN Academy farm options for managing stream salinity in irrigation areas: An of Environmental Law, Cambridge University Press. example from the Murray Darling Basin, Australia. Hydrology Research, 39: 157–170. Khan, S., Asghar, M. N. and Rana, T. (2007). Characterizing 9.2 Refereed journal articles groundwater dynamics based on impact of pulp and paper mill effluent irrigation and climate variability. Water, Air and Soil Ayars, J.E., Christen, E.W. and Hornbuckle, J.W. (2007). Managing Pollution, 185: 131–148. irrigation and drainage in saline environments, CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Khan, S., Asghar, M. N. and Rana, T. (2008). Modelling the impact Natural Resources, 2007, 2, No. 040, 13. of groundwater harvesting on the hydro-salinity of a saline catchment in (south) eastern Australia. Hydrogeology Journal, Asghar, M.N., Khan, S. and Mushtaq, S. (2008). Management of 16: 713–726.* treated pulp and paper to achieve zero discharge. Journal of Environmental Management, 88:1285–1299. Khan, S., Mushtaq, S., Hanjra, M. A., and Schaeffer, J. (2008). Estimating Potential Costs and Gains From An Aquifer Storage Barnes, G.T. (2008). The potential for monolayers to reduce the and recovery Program in Australia, Agricultural Water evaporation of water from large storages. Agricultural Water Management, 95: 477–488.* Management, 95: 339–353.* Khan, S., Mushtaq, S., Luo, Y., Dawe, D., Hafeez, M. and Rana, T. Cook, F. J. and Orchard, V. A., (2008). Relationships between soil (2007). Conjunctive water management options: examples respiration and Soil Moisture. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. from economic assessment of system-level water saving 40: 1013–1018.* through Liuyuankou Irrigation System, China. Irrigation and Craig, I., Aravinthan, V., Baillie, C., Beswick, A., Barnes, G., Drainage, 56: 523–539. Bradbury, R., Connell, L., Coop, P., Fellows, C., Fitzmaurice, L.., Khan, S., O’Connel, N., Rana, T., and Xevi, E., (2008). Hydrologic- Foley, J., Hancock, N., Lamb, D., Morrison, P., Misra, R., Mossad, economic model for managing irrigation intensity in irrigation R., Pittaway, P., Prime, E., Rees, S., Schmidt, E., Solomon, D., areas under watertable and soil salinity targets. Environmental Symes, T. and Turnbull, D. (2007). Evaporation, seepage and Modelling and Assessment, 13:115–120.* water quality management in storage dams: a review of Khan, S., Rana, T., Hanjra, M. A. (2008). A cross disciplinary research methods. Environmental Health, 7: 84–97.* framework for linking farms with regional groundwater and Devasirvatham, V and Cornish P. S. (2007). Precision application salinity management targets. Agricultural Water Management, of water for peri-urban horticulture. International Journal of 95: 35–47.* Water, 3:418–424.* Khan, S., Yufeng, L. and Ahmad, A. (2007). Analysing complex Duncan, R. A., Bethune, M. G., Thayalakumaran, T., Christen, E. W. behaviour of hydrological systems through a system dynamics and McMahon, T. A. (2008). Management of salt mobilisation approach. Environmental Modelling and Software, 1–10.* in the irrigated landscape – A review of selected regions. Journal of Hydrology, 351, 238– 252.* Khatri, K, L,. and Smith, R. J. (2007). Toward a simple real-time Gillies, M. H., Smith, R. J. and Raine, S. R. (2007). Accounting for control system for efficient management of furrow irrigation. temporal inflow variation in the inverse solution for infiltration in Irrigation and Drainage, 56: 463–475.* surface irrigation. Irrigation Science, 25:87–97.* Kuehne,G., Bjornlund, H., and Cheers, B., (2007). There’s Hafeez, M. M., Bouman, B. A. M., Van de Giesen, N., Mushtaq, S., More than One Type of Farmer: Acknowledging Farmers’ Vlek, P. and Khan, S. (2008). Water Reuse and Cost-Benefit of Diversity – An Australian Perspective, International Journal of Pumping at Different Spatial Levels in a Rice Irrigation System in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 2 (2).* UPRIIS, Philippines. Physics & Chemistry of the Earth, Langat, P. K., Smith, R. J. and Raine, S. R. (2008). Estimating the 33: 115–126. furrow infiltration characteristic from a single advance point. Hughes, J. D., Khan, S., Crosbie, R. S., Helliwell, S., and Michalk, D. Irrigation Science, 26: 367–374.* L. (2007). Runoff and solute mobilization processes in a semiarid headwater catchment, Water Resource Research, 43, W09402. McKay, J. (2007). Water governance regimes in Australia: Implementing the National Water Initiative, Water, Inman-Bamber, N. G., Bonnett, G. D., Spillman, M. F., Hewitt, M. 34: 150–156.* L. and Jackson, J. (2008). Increasing sucrose accumulation in sugarcane by manipulating leaf extension and photosynthesis Narayan, K., Schleeberger, C. and Bristow. K. L.. (2007). Modelling with irrigation. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, seawater intrusion in the Burdekin Delta aquifer, North 59: 13–26. Queensland, Australia. Agric. Water Management, 89: 217– 228. Keremane, G. B., and McKay, J,. (2008). Water reuse schemes – the role of community social infrastructure, Water, 35: 35–39.* O’Connell, M. G. and Goodwin, I. (2007). Responses of ‘Pink Lady’ apple to deficit irrigation and partial rootzone drying: Khan, S. (2007). Equivalent cropping area and whole farm water physiology, growth, yield and fruit quality. Australian Journal of balance approaches to reduce net recharge to shallow saline Agricultural Research.,58: 1068–1076.* groundwater from rice based cropping systems. Paddy and Water Environment, 5: 143–152. O’Connell, M. G. and Goodwin, I. (2007). Water stress and reduced fruit size in micro-irrigated pear trees under deficit partial rootzone drying. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 58: 670–679.*
40 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
O’Neill, C.J., Humphreys, E., Louis, J., Katupitiya, A. (2008). Maize Camkin, J. K., Bristow, K. L.., Petheram, C., Paydar, Z., Cook, productivity in southern New South Wales under furrow and F. J. and Story. J. (2008). Designs for the future: The role of pressurised irrigation. Agricultural Journal of Experimental sustainable irrigation in northern Australia. In: Sustainable Agriculture, 48: 285–295.* Irrigation: Management Technologies and Policies II. Peng, X., Horn, R., Deery, D., Kirkham, M. B. and Blackwell, J. Villacampa Estve, Y., Brebbia, C.A. and D. Prats Rico (Eds). (2005). Influence of Soil Structure on the Shrinkage Behaviour WIT Press 2008.* of a Soil Irrigated With Saline-Sodic Water’. Australian Journal Car, N, J., Christen, E. W., Hornbuckle, J. W., Bartlett, C. and of Soil Research, 43: 555–563.* Moore, G. (2007). Tools for Improving Water Use Efficiency: Irrigation Informatics implemented via SMS . MODSIM Smith, R. J., Gillies, M. H., Newell, G. and Foley, J.P. (2008). 2007 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, A decision support model for travelling gun irrigation Wellington, New Zealand, Modelling and Simulation Society machines. Biosystems Engineering. 100: 126–136.* of Australia and New Zealand.* Thayalakumaran, T., Bristow, K. L., Charlesworth, P. B. and Fass, Car, N. J., Christen, E. W., Hornbuckle, J. W. and Moore, G. (2007). T., (2008). Geochemical Conditions in Groundwater systems: Towards a new generation of Irrigation Decision Support Implications for the attenuation of agricultural nitrate. Systems – Irrigation Informatics? MODSIM 2007 International Agricultural Water Management, 95: 103–115. Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Wellington, New Zealand, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand.* 9.3 Conference publications Car, N. J., Christen, E. W., Hornbuckle, J. W. and Moore, G. A. (2008). A Web Services-supported, Calendar-based, Irrigation Abbas, A. and Khan, S. (2007). Using Remote Sensing Techniques Decision Support System, Irrigation Australia 2008, Melbourne for Appraisal of Irrigated Soil Salinity. MODSIM, International Exhibition Centre, 20–22 May, Melbourne, Australia.* Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December, Christchurch, New Zealand.* Chen, Y., Khan, S. and Paydar, Z. (2007). Irrigation Intensification or Extensification Assessment Using Spatial Modelling in GIS. Ahmad. A., Khan, S., Rana. T,. (2007). System Dynamics MODSIM, International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Approach for Modelling Seasonality of River Flows. MODSIM, 10–13 December. Christchurch, New Zealand.* International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December, Christchurch, New Zealand.* Christen, E. W., DeLang, S., Patti, A. and Hornbuckle, J.W. (2007). Soil salinity distributions in drip irrigated vineyards of Akbar, S., Khan, S., and Hirsi, I. (2004). Saving Irrigation Channel southeastern Australia. USCID Fourth International Conference Losses. Selected Paper of the Australian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Sacramento, California, October on Irrigation and Drainage (ANCID) Conference meeting. 3–6.* South Australia. Oct 10–13.* Christen, E. W., Jayawardane, N. S., Shepheard, M. L., Atkins, D. (2008). Delivering researcher’s outcomes, knowledge Maheshwari, B., Atkins, D., Davidson, P., Mitchell, M. and and skills into the irrigation industry. Irrigation Australia 2008 Simmons, B. (2007). An irrigation sustainability assessment Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* framework for reporting across the environmental- economic- Baldwin, C., Hamstead, M. and O’Keefe, V. (2008). Social and social spectrum. USCID Fourth International Conference on Economic Assessment for Water Planning in Australia. Water Irrigation and Drainage, Sacramento, California, October 3–6, Down Under 2008, Adelaide, 14–17 April.* 2007.* Biswas, T. K., Cutting, M. Zurcher, P., Pitt, T., Hoare, T. and Shrale. Conrad, C., Dech, S. W., Hafeez, M., Lamers, J. and Tischbein, G. (2008). Management of premium quality wine grape B. (2007). Remote Sensing Based Hydrological Modeling for irrigated with poor quality water. Irrigation Australia 2008 Irrigation Performance Assessment in the Lower Reaches of Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* the Amu Darya River in Central Asia. MODSIM, International Biswas, T. K., Pitt, T., and Schrale, G. (2007) Monitoring rootzone Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December . salinity In Proc Water-Friend or Foe? For The Aust Soc. Christchurch, New Zealand. Viticulture & Oenology, Mildura, VIC. GPO Box 582, Adelaide Cook, F. J., Knight, J. H., Xevi, E., Paydar, Z. and Bristow. K. SA 5001. pp 38–41.* L. (2007). Application of new solutions for groundwater Biswas, T. K, Schrale, G. and McCarthy, M. (2008). Real-time mounding to irrigation mosaics. In Oxley, L. and Kulasiri, D. vineyard root zone salinity monitoring with a modified suction (Eds) MODSIM 2007 International Congress on Modelling and cup. In Proc. 2nd Intl Salinity Conf, Adelaide Convention Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and Centre, 31 Mar – 3 Apr 2008.* New Zealand, December.* Biswas, T. K., Schrale, G and McLean, G (2007). Balancing water Davidson, B., Simmons, B., Malano, H., Nawarathna, B., Singh, Use and Rootzone Salinity in the Lower Murray Vineyards. R. and Maheshwari, B. (2009). The Economic and Social Proceedings of Annual Conference by the Australian National Framework Used in System Harmonisation Applied to a Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Bundaberg Qld, Peri-urban Setting, EWRI Thailand 2009 Conference: An 19–21 August 2007.* International Perspective on Environmental and Water Bolan, N., Laurenson, S., Kunhikrishnan, A., Naidu, R., McKay, J., Resources, January 5–9.* and Keremane, G., (2008). Northern Adelaide Plains Recycling Devi, B. (2008). A decision-making framework for developing Scheme – Champion in the Management of Recycled water sustainable urban irrigation policies and programs. Irrigation for Sustainable production and environmental protection. Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* Irrigation Australia, 20–22 May 2008, Melbourne. Gillies, M. H., Smith, R. J. and Raine, S. R. (2008). Measurement Bristow, K. L.. (2008). Irrigation mosaics. Irrigation Australia 2008 and management of furrow irrigation at the field scale. Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* Irrigation Australia 2008 – National Conference and Exhibition. Camkin. J and Bristow, K. L. (2008). Where to now for irrigation 20–22nd May, Melbourne.* in Northern Australia: reflections, findings, challenges and opportunities arising from the Northern Australia irrigation futures project. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.*
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Goodwin, I., Lanyon, D. M., McClymont, L., Hornbuckle, J. W, Hornbuckle, J. W., Smith, D., Zandona, R. and Christen, E. (2007). Zerihun, A., Smith, D. J., Mowat, D., Kirby, J., Whitfield, D. M., Understanding the nuts & bolts of MIA vineyard water use, Gibberd, M and Christen, E. W. (2007). Managing soil and Irrigation Research and Extension Committee (IREC) Farmers water to target quality and reduce environmental impact, Newsletter, Spring 2007.* 13th Australian Wine Industry technical Conference, Adelaide, Hossain, M. B., Lamb, D. W., Lockwood, P. V. and Frazier, P. (2008). 28th August – 2nd September. Field Determination of Soil Moisture in the Root Zone by Multi- Grabham, M. K., Hornbuckle, J. W., Raine, S. R. and Smith, R. J. height EM38 Measurements. Paper presented in the 1st Global (2008). Observations from initial evaluation trials of Bankless Workshop on High Resolution Digital Soil Sensing and Mapping Channel Irrigation Systems, Irrigation Australia 2008, Melbourne 5–8 February 2008, Sydney, Australia. (CD ROM.)* Exhibition Centre, 20–22 May, Melbourne, Australia.* Hussain, A., and Raine, S. R. (2008). A preliminary evaluation Gunawardena, T. A., McGarry, D., Gardner, E.A., and Stirzaker, of the potential to use electromagnetic induction to assess R. J. (2008). Improved Irrigation Efficiency through controlling sprinkler irrigation performance in horticultural crops. First Deep Drainage, and monitoring solute signatures and Global Workshop on Digital Soil Sensing and Mapping, groundwater response. Proceedings of the Irrigation Australia 5–8th Feb, Sydney.* 2008 Conference. 20–22 May, Melbourne, Australia. Abstract / Hussain, A., Raine, S. R. and Henderson, C. W. (2008). Preliminary oral presentation; published as a Conference HandBook.* evaluation of relationships between irrigation non-uniformity Hafeez, M., Khan, S. and Mushtaq, S. (2007). Re-use and Cyclic and crop responses in lettuce. National Conference, Irrigation Use of Water Saving in Rice Cultivation in Gravity Irrigation Australia Limited. 20–22nd May, Melbourne.* system of Philippines. MODSIM, International Congress on Inman-Bamber, N. G. (2007). Economic impact of water stress Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December, Christchurch, on sugar production in Australia. Proc. Aust. Soc. Sugar Cane New Zealand. Technol., 29 167–175. Hafeez, M. M., Khan, S. and Mushtaq, S. (2007). Scale effects Inman-Bamber, N. G., Attard, S. J. (2008). Water savings and on Water Use Efficiency and Productivity: A Case Study water accounting In irrigated sugarcane Proc Aust Soc Sugar from UPRIIS, Philippines. MODSIM, International Congress on Cane Technol. 251–259. Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December, Christchurch, Inman-Bamber, N. G., Attard, S. J., Haine, M. G. and Linedale New Zealand. – Bamber, A. I. (2008). Deficit irrigation in sugarcane with Hafeez, M., Khan, S., Song, K. and Rabbani, U. (2007). Spatial watersense. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, Mapping of Actual Evapotranspiration and Soil Moisture in the 20–22 May.* Murrumbidgee Catchment: Examples from National Airborne Inman-Bamber, N. G., Attard, S. J., Verrall, S. A., Webb, W. A. and Field Experimentation. MODSIM, International Congress on Baillie, C. (2007). A web-based system for scheduling irrigation Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December, Christchurch, in sugarcane. Proc. Int. Soc. Sugar Cane Technol., New Zealand.* 26, (CDROM.)* Hamstead, M., Baldwin, C and O’Keefe, V. (2008). Water Planning Inman-Bamber, N. G., Bonnett, G. D., Thorburn, P. J., Garside, A., Practices and Lessons Learned. Water Down Under 2008, Berding, N. and Attard, S. J. (2008). Pointers for better farming Adelaide, 14–17 April.* and research from sugarcane physiology Proc Aust Soc Sugar Hirsi, I., Khan, S. and Hanjra, M. A. (2008). Insights into achieving Cane Technol . 30, 231–240. potential benefits from irrigation through conjunctive water Jackson, T. M., Khan, S. and Ahmad, A. (2007). Exploring Energy management under crop salinity tolerance constraints. In Productivity for a Groundwater Dependent Irrigated Farm Proceedings 2008 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Using a System Dynamics Approach. MODSIM, International Queensland, 29 July – 1 August.* Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Horne, A., Freebairn J., McMahon. T, A., and Stewardson , Christchurch, New Zealand.* M. (2008). Environmental Response Curves – A First Step in Jackson, T. M., Khan, S. and Hafeez, M. (2008). A framework Developing Environmental Demand Curves. In Proceedings for evaluating the consumption patterns and environmental Water Down Under, Adelaide, 15–17 April.* impacts of irrigation methods: A case study from South-Eastern Hornbuckle, J. W., Car, N. J., Christen, E. W. and Smith, D. J. Australia. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference (2008). Large Scale, Low Cost Irrigation Scheduling – Making on Sustainable Irrigation 2008, Alicante, Spain, 10–13 June.* use of Satellite and Eto Weather Station Information, Irrigation Johnson, L. F., Trout, T. J., Gartung, J. L., and Hornbuckle, J. (2007). Australia 2008, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 20–22 May, Satellite Mapping of Horticultural Crop Cover in California’s Melbourne, Australia.* San Joaquin Valley – Potential for Irrigation Water Resource Hornbuckle, J. W., Christen, E. W., Smith, D. J., McClymont, L., Management. Association of American Geographers, Goodwin, I. and Lanyon, D. M. (2007). Measuring drip irrigation 17–21 April, San Francisco. distribution uniformity in irrigated vineyards and understanding Kerridge, B., Hornbuckle, J. W., Christen, E. W. and Faulkner, R. its effects on vine vigour , Australian Society of Viticulture and D. (2008). Soil Spatial Variability Effects on Irrigation Efficiency, Oenology, Water Friend or For? Proceedings ASVO Seminar, Irrigation Australia 2008, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura, South Australia, Friday 20–22 May, Melbourne, Australia.* 2 November 2007.* Khan, S., and Ahmad, A. (2007). System Dynamics Analysis of a Hornbuckle, J. W., Smith, D., Lanyon, D., Goodwin, I., McClymont, Land Based Stream Salinity Management Approach. MODSIM, L., Zandona, R., and Christen, E. (2007). Drip Irrigation Variability International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, – how well is your vineyard drip system performing?, Irrigation 10–13 December 2007, Christchurch, New Zealand.* Research and Extension Committee (IREC) Farmers Newsletter, Khan, S., Ahmad, A., and Saeed, Z. (2007). Ocean Based Spring 2007.* Statistical Forecasts for Seasonal Irrigation Allocations. Hornbuckle, J. W., Smith, D. J., McClymont, L.,, Goodwin, MODSIM, International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, I., Lanyon, D. M. and Christen, E. W. (2007). Drip irrigation 10–13 December 2007, Christchurch, New Zealand. distribution uniformity in irrigated vineyards – understanding its variability and effect on vine vigour, 13th Australian Wine Industry technical Conference, Adelaide, 28th August – 2nd September.*
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Khan, S. and Hafeez, M. (2007). Spatial Mapping of Water McKay, J. (2007). Indian and Australian State Administrative Productivity in Irrigation System Using Geo-information Practices and Judicial Reasoning in Implementing Sustainable Techniques. MODSIM, International Congress on Modelling Development Laws-Resolving Conflicts within Water Sharing and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Christchurch, New Plans in AP, NSW and SA in Fifth International Conference Zealand*. on International Environmental Law- Conference Papers- Khan, S., Rana, T. and Dassanayake, D. (2007). Quantitative Volume 2, pp. 978–1004. Published by The Indian Society of Assessment of Channel Seepage Using the Artificial Neural International Law, New Delhi. Network (ANN) Approach. MODSIM, International Congress on McLean, G., Biswas, T. K. and Schrale, G. (2008). Salinity impact Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Christchurch, assessment of lower Murray horticulture. In Proc. 2nd Intl Salinity New Zealand. Conf, Adelaide Convention Centre, 31 Mar – 3 Apr 2008. Kooloos. H., and North, S. (2007) The new V-Bay flexible layout. Martin, P. (2007). Incentives and disincentives: a systematic GRDC Technical Research Update for Irrigation Croppers. approach Invited paper, International Forum: Soils, Society Griffith NSW, 31 July & 1 August 2007. GRDC & IREC.* & Global Change; 31 August–4 September 2007, Selfoss, Kuehne, G., and Bjornlund, H., (2008). Exploring Non–profit Iceland.* maximising influences on irrigator’s behaviour. Irrigation Martin, P. (2008). Cross pollination or cross-contamination? Australia Conference 2008, Melbourne, Australia 20–22 May.* Directions for informing the management of invasive with Kuehne, G., and Bjornlund, H. (2007). One size does not fit all – market-economy concepts. Keynote address, Proceedings th Recognising heterogeneity in Australian Farmers. Proceedings of the 16 Australian Weeds Conference eds R.D. Van Klinken, from USCID;s Fourth International Conference on Irrigation and V.A. Osten, F. D. Pancetta and J.C. Scanlan, May 2008, Drainage Sacramento, California 3–6 October.* Queensland Weeds Society. Kuehne, G., Bjornlund, H., and Cheers, B., (2008). Classifying, Montagu, K. (2008). How many Phd’s does it take to change... Clustering & Clumping; defining groups of irrigators in exploring postgraduate Needs – in times of skills shortage. Australia’s Namoi Valley., IWRA World Water Congress, Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* Montpellier, France 1–5 September.* Montagu, K. D. and Stirzaker, R. J. (2008). Why do two-thirds Kuehne, G., Bjornlund, H. and Cheers, B. (2008). Developing of Australian irrigators use no objective irrigation scheduling Irrigator Types from Clustered Values IWA World Water methods? In Sustainable Irrigation: Management Technologies Congress & Exhibition, Vienna, Austria, 7–12 September.* and Policies II. Villacampa Estve, Y., Brebbia, C.A. and D. Prats Rico (Eds). WIT Press. pp. 95–103.* Kuehne, G., Bjornlund, H., and Cheers, B. (2008). Exploring contextual influence on farmer’s behaviour. Irrigation Australia Mu, J. and Khan, S. (2007). Stochastic Analysis of Water Supply 2008 Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* and Demand at the River Basin Level. MODSIM, International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Kuehne, G., Bjornlund,H., and Cheers, B., (2008). The contribution Christchurch, New Zealand. of Values and Attitudes to Irrigators Decision Making Water Down Under 2008, Adelaide, Australia 15–17 April.* Muir, J., Danaher, T. and Baillie, C. (2007). Where is all the water? Using time-series analysis of Landsat imagery to map the Lanyon, D. M., Hornbuckle, J. W., Goodwin, I., Gobbett, D., extend of water bodies, Presented at the workshop on Spatial Whitfield, D., Mowat, D., McClymont, L., Bramley, R. G. V. and Information for Water Resource Management, UQ St Lucia Christen, E. W. (2007). Capturing the variation in vine and Campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 13 July 2007.* edaphic properties using a mobile multi-functional platform, 13th Australian Wine Industry technical Conference, Adelaide, North, S. (2007). Water use and yields of wheat under centre 28th August – 2nd September. pivot irrigation in the Murray Irrigation Districts. GRDC Technical Research Update for Irrigation Croppers, Griffith, NSW, 31 July & McCarthy, C., Hancock, N. and Raine, S. (2008). On-the-go 1 August 2007. GRDC & IREC.* machine vision sensing of cotton plant geometric parameters: first results. In Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice O’Connell, M. (2007). Optimising water use. 75th Annual DPI (J. Billingsley and R Bradbeer eds), Springer, New York. Walpeup Field Day – Recognise the Past – Strengthen the pp305–12. (Originally presented at 13th Annual Conference on Future, Walpeup. 5 October 2007. p.26–30.* Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice. 5–7th December Parr, E. J., Smith, P., Montgomery, J. and Jackson, R. (2008). 2006, Toowoomba).* Water use efficiency in the NSW cotton industry – an industry McCarthy, C. L., Hancock, N. H. and Raine, S. R. (2007). Field approach. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, measurement of plant geometry using machine vision. Fifth 20–22 May.* Intl Workshop on Functional Structural Plant Models (SFPM07). Paydar, Z., Cook, F.J., Xevi, E. and Bristow. K. L. (2007). Irrigation Napier, New Zealand, Nov. 2007. pp19.1–19.3.* mosaics: How are they different? In Oxley, L. and Kulasiri, D. (Eds) MODSIM 2007 International Congress on Modelling and McClymont, L.., Goodwin, I., Lanyon, D. M., Hornbuckle, J. W, Simulation. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and Zerihun, A., Smith, D. J., Mowat, D., Kirby, J., Simson, A., Barnes, New Zealand, December 2007, pp. 470–476.* M and Gibberd, M. (2007). Temporal and spatial variation in effective area of shade: implications for irrigation and yield, Raine, S. R., Wallace, S. and Curran, N. (2008). IPART – an irrigation 13th Australian Wine Industry technical Conference, Adelaide, performance evaluation and reporting tool for pressurised 28th August – 2nd September . application systems. National Conference, Irrigation Australia Limited. 20–22nd May, Melbourne. 7pp. McKay, J. (2007). Groundwater as the Cinderella of water laws and policies in Australia in The global importance Rana, T., Khan, S. and Rahimi, M. (2007). Optimisation of Spatio- of groundwater in the 21st century: Proceedings of the Temporal Aspects of Drainage. MODSIM, International international symposium on groundwater sustainability, pp. Congress on Modeling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, 321–337. Published by the National Groundwater Association Christchurch, New Zealand.* of USA in conjunction with Spanish Academy of Sciences, Schwecke, M., Simmons, B., Maheshwari, B. and Ramsay, G. IUCN, UNESCO, and UniSA. (2008). Integrating alternative water sources in urbanised environments. In Sustainable Irrigation: Management Technologies and Policies II. Villacampa Estve, Y., Brebbia, C.A. and D. Prats Rico (Eds). WIT Press.
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Singh, R., Simmons, B., Maheshwari, B. and Nawarathna, B., Xevi, E. and Khan, S. (2007). Integrating GIS and Modelling (2008). Reconciliation of future water demand and supply in of Soil Water and Crop Production. MODSIM, International Western Sydney, Australia. International Conference on Water, Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Environment, Energy, and Society, January 12–16, 2009, New Christchurch, New Zealand.* Delhi, India, 8p.* Yiasoumi, W., Grewall, H., Maheshwari, B. and Simmons, B. (2008). Sluggett, A. (2008). Salt and nutrient movement under advanced Evaluating water saving using smart irrigation and harvesting fertigated citrus. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, systems. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* 20–22 May.* Sluggett, A., Biswas, T. K., Hutson, J. and Stirzaker, R. (2008). Water Zaman, A. M., Etchells, T., Malano, H. and Davidson, B. (2008). and Nitrate Movement under Advanced Fertigated Citrus. In Incorporating behavioural and biophysical factors in irrigation Proc Irrigation Australia Limited Conference, Melbourne. demand modelling. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, 20–22 May 2008.* Melbourne, 20–22 May.* Smith, R. Gillies, M. and Foley, J. (2008). Software for evaluation and improvement of irrigation system. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Melbourne, 20–22 May.* 9.4 Reports Solomon, D. and Prime, E. (2007). Minimizing Water Evaporation by Monolayers. 12th International COMS conference on Biswas, T.K. and Schrale, G. (2008). Tools and techniques for the commercialization of micro- and nano-technologies, managing root zone salinity. Australian & New Zealand Melbourne, 4th September 2007.* Grapegrower & Winemaker. 529 (2):36–39. Song, K. S., Liu, D. W., Wang, Z. M., Khan, S., Hafeez, M. and Mu, Brink, G. and Symes, T. (2008) Technical scoping of monitoring J. X. (2007). A Study on the Wetland Dynamic and Its Relation application and control systems. National Centre for with Cropland Reclamation in Sanjiang Plain, China. MODSIM, Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA), Toowoomba, Australia, International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, February 2008.* 10–13 December 2007, Christchurch, New Zealand. Bristow, K. L., Camkin, J. C., Marchant, S., Reading, L.. & Popham. Stirzaker, R. J. (2008). Adaptive learning through five strands of D. (2007). Northern Australia Irrigation Futures: Sharing the irrigation data. Proceedings of the Irrigation Australia 2008 Learning’s. Report on the NAIF Workshops held September to Conference. 20–22 May, Melbourne, Australia.* November 2007, p. 92.* Stirzaker, R. J., Annandale, J. G., Stevens, J. and Steyn, J. M. Biswas, T. K., Bourne, J., Pitt, T., Alam, J., Sanderson, G., Schrale, (2007). Introducing a flow distortion Wetting Front Detector. G. and McCarthy, M. (2008). Root Zone Water, Salinity and 8th African Crop Science Society Conference, 27–31 October Nutrient Management under Precision Irrigation. pp 33. 2007, El-Minia, Egypt. African Crop Science Conference A Technical Report to the Land & Water Australia (Through Proceedings Vol 8. pp. 1663–1667. NPSI). SARDI GPO Box 397 Adelaide 5001.* Watt, J. and Khan, S. (2007). The Use of Geophysics to Model Bruce, R. and Goodwin, I. (2008). Post harvest deficit irrigation in Channel Seepage. MODSIM, International Congress on peach and pear. Tree Fruit, April, 6–7.* Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Christchurch, Car, N. and Hornbuckle, J. (2008). Irrigation Decision Support via New Zealand.* SMS. Irrigation Australia Journal, 23(2).* Watt, J and Khan, S. The Use of Geophysics to Model Surface and Camkin, J. K., Kellett, B. M. and Bristow. K. L. (2007). Northern Ground Water Interactions in Irrigation Areas. Selected Paper Australia Irrigation Futures: Origin, evolution and future for the International Congress on Modelling and Simulations directions for the development of a sustainability framework. (MODSIM). Christchurch, New Zealand. Dec. 10–13.* CSIRO Land and Water Science Report No.73/07, CRC for Watt, J., Khan, S. and Abbas, A. (2008). Using Electrical Resistivity Irrigation Futures Tech. Report No. 11/07. 48 pp.* to Model Channel Seepage From Irrigation Canals. Selected Camkin, J. K., Story, J. and Bristow. K. L. (2007). An Ecologically paper for the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics Sustainable Development component system to support to Engineering and Environmental Problems. (SAGEEP). irrigation decision-making in northern Australia. CSIRO Land Philadelphia, United States of America. April 6–10, 2008.* and Water Science Report No.78/07, CRC for Irrigation Futures Wheaton, A. D., Cooley, N., Dunn, G., Goodwin, I. and Needs, Technical Report No. 10/07. 27 pp. plus Appendices.* S. (2008). Evaluation of infrared thermograph to determine Christen, E. W., Ayars, J. E., Hornbuckle, J. W. and Hickey, M. the crop water status of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. (2008). Irrigation in Vegetables, technology and Practice, In Proceedings of the 13th Australian Wine Industry Technical Irrigation Australia Journal, Winter 2008. Conference, Adelaide, Australia, 28 July – 2 August, p. 320. Christen, E. W., DeLange, S., Patti, T., and Hornbuckle, J. (2007). Wigginton, D. and Smith, P. (2008). Building capacity for delivery Soil salinity in drip irrigated vineyards of the MIA, Irrigation of commercial irrigation services: A case study in the cotton Research and Extension Committee (IREC) Farmers Newsletter, and grains industries. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Spring 2007.* Melbourne, 20–22 May.* Cook, F. J., Xevi, E., Knight, J. H., Paydar, Z. and Bristow. K.L. Williams, C. M. M., Biswas, T. K., Black, I., Schrale, G. and Heading. (2008). Analysis of biophysical processes with regard to S. (2008). Use of saline lands and wastewaters for growing a advantages and disadvantages of irrigation mosaics. CSIRO potential biofuel crop. Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference, Land and Water Science Report No. 14/08, CRC for Irrigation Melbourne, 20–22 May. Futures Technical Report No. 07/08. 68 pp.* Xevi, E. and Khan, S. (2007). A STEP Method Based Multiple Davidson, B., Mushtaq, S., Simmons, B., Allan, C. and Regan, P. Objective Methodology for Irrigation Water Management (2007). Understanding and valuing the economic, social and to Model Preferences and Tradeoffs. MODSIM, International environmental components of System Harmonisation. CRC for Congress on Modelling and Simulation, 10–13 December 2007, Irrigation Futures Technical Report No. 13/07. Christchurch, New Zealand.*
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Dutta, D. and McKay, J. (2007). Development of an Integrated Marchant, S. (2007). An Analysis of the Workshop Held in Ayr: Capacity Building Framework for Building Spatial Data 14/9/07. Northern Australia Irrigation Futures: Sharing the Infrastructure for Integrated Groundwater Governance and Learning’s. Report on the NAIF Workshops held September to Management in India: Lessons from Australia, International November 2007, pp. 39–45.* Journal of Environment and Development., 4(2):175–193. Martin, P. and Jeffrey, M., (2007). Using a Legally Enforceable Elmahdi, A. (2008). Is underground the new water storage Knowledge Trust Doctrine to Fulfil the Moral Obligation to solution. Irrigation Australia Journal, 23(3).* Protect Indigenous secrets, NZ Journal of Environmental Law. Fouss, J. L., Evans, R. O, Ayars, J. E. and Christen, E. W. (2007). 11(1):1. Water Table Control Systems,. In Design and Operation of Farm Martin, P., Bartel, R., Sinden, J., Gunningham, N., and Hannam, Irrigation Systems, Eds. Hoffman, G.J., Evans, R.G., Jensen, M.E. I. (2007). Developing a Good Regulatory Practice Model for and Elliot, R.L. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Environmental Regulations Impacting on Farmers. Australian Engineers, St. Joseph, MI, USA. 18(2): 684–718. Farm Institute and Land and Water Australia 2007.* Hamstead, M., Baldwin, C. and O’Keefe, V. (2008). Water Martin, P,. Werren, K. and Shearing, S. (2007). Concepts for Allocation Planning in Australia – Current Practices and Lessons private sector funded conservation using tax-effective Learned, National Water Commission, Canberra.* instruments Land & Water Australia PR071389, November 2007. Horne, A. Purkey, A and McMahon, T. A. (2008.) Purchasing water McCarthy, C. (2008). When and where to water? Ask the plant, for the environment in unregulated systems – what can we automatically. Irrigation Australia Journal, 23(3).* learn from the Columbia Basin? Australian Journal of Water McClymont, L., Goodwin, I., Whitfield, D. M., Green, S. R., Resources. 12(1): 61–70. Hornbuckle, J. W., Zerihun, A. and Gibberd, M. (2007). Hornbuckle, J. W., Car, N., White, B. and Christen, E. W. (2008) Measurements of grapevine transpiration using sap flow Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation technology. WISPAS, 97, 8–9. Areas of Australia I: A user guide to accessing and identifying McHugh, A. D. and McKeering, L. M. (2008). Field evaluation of soils using digital soil maps and Google EarthTM, CSIRO Land marginal water use and root zone salinity – Beetroot in the and Water Science Report 22/08, CRC for Irrigation Futures Lockyer Valley. National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture Technical Report No. 01/08, January 2008.* Publication 1002008/4, USQ, Toowoomba.* Hornbuckle, J. W., Christen, E. W., Thacker, J., Muirhead, W. and McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). Stein, T. M. (2008) Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and What can an Eddy Covariance (ECv) Station do for you? Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia II: Physical properties, CSIRO SEQ Irrigation Futures R&D Support — Monitoring Tools Land and Water Science Report 23/08, CRC for Irrigation information brochure. National Centre for Engineering in Futures Technical Report No. 02/08, January 2008.* Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Goodwin, I. (2007). Drought management. Australian Nutgrower. McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). 21(3), 3–4.* What can an EM38 do for you? SEQ Irrigation Futures R&D Goodwin, I. (2007). Drought management in stone fruit orchards. Support — Monitoring Tools information brochure. National Australian Fruitgrower, August, 15–16.* Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Goodwin, I. (2007). Managing stone fruit with minimal irrigation. McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). Tree Fruit, September, 6–7.* Irrigation Water Meter Data Signature Logger (DSL) – What can Goodwin, I., Faggian, R. and Qassim, A. (2007). Open the DSL Unit do for you? SEQ Irrigation Futures R&D Support hydroponics: Managing root-zone risk. Agriculture Division — Monitoring Tools information brochure. National Centre for project report.* Engineering in Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Goodwin, I., Faggian, R. and Qassim, A. (2008). Open McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). hydroponics: Managing root-zone risk. Future Farming Systems What can an NDVI Sensor Unit do for you? SEQ Irrigation Research Division project report.* Futures R&D Support — Monitoring Tools information brochure. National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Goodwin, I. and O’Connell, M. (2007). Irrigating high value perennial horticulture efficiently. ORL Technote.* McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). The Wireless Pressurised Irrigation Monitoring System (PIMS): Khan, S., Akbar, S., Rana, T., Abbas, A., Robinson, D., Paydar, Z., What can the PIMS Unit do for you? SEQ Irrigation Futures R&D Dassanayke, D., Hirsi, I., Blackwell, J., Xevi, E., & Carmichael, Support — Monitoring Tools information brochure. National A. (2005). Off-and-on farm savings of irrigation water. Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Murrumbidgee Valley water efficiency feasibility project. Water for a Healthy Country Flagship report. Canberra: CSIRO.* McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). Portable Transit Time Flow Meter — Series TXFP: Field Zeroing. Keremane, G. B., and McKay, J,. (2007). Water Transitions and SEQ Irrigation Futures R&D Support — Monitoring Tools Urban Wastewater Reuse In Australia: Lessons for Developing information brochure. National Centre for Engineering in Countries, International Journal of Environment and Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Development. 4(2):249–66.* McHugh, J., Eberhard, J., McKeering, L. and Raine, S. (2008). Kuehne, G., Bjornlund, H. (2008). The Influence of Irrigators Stabilised GT3–15 Jetfill Tensiometer – What can the stabilised Attitudes and Objectives on their Decision Making, tensiometer do for you? SEQ Irrigation Futures R&D Support Hydrological Research Letters 2 (2008).* — Monitoring Tools information brochure. National Centre for Lanyon, D., Goodwin, I., Zerihun, A., Gibberd, M., Barnes, M., Engineering in Agriculture, Toowoomba.* Hornbuckle, J., Mowat, D., McClymont, L., Kirby, J. and McKay, J. (2007). The quest for environmentally sustainable Smith, D. (2008). Linking soil and vine properties to wine water use: Constitutional issues for federal, state and local characteristics, The Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower governments, Reform – Journal of the Australian Law Reform and Winemaker, Annual technical 2008. 93–96. Commission, 89 (Summer): 22–27.* Lashari, B,. McKay, J,. Villholth, K,. (2007). Institutional and North S. H. (2007). Improving the performance of basin (contour) legal groundwater management framework: Lessons learnt irrigation systems in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin. A from South Australia for Pakistan, International Journal of Scoping Study. Project Report ENV 6/05, Murray LWMP/CRC IF, Environment and Development. 4(1):45–59. Deniliquin.*
45 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
North, S. H. (2008). A Comparison of Wheat and Canola Water Van der Laan, M., Annandale, J. G., du Preez, C. C. and Use Requirements and the Effect of Spring Irrigation on Crop Tesfamariam, E. (2007). Final report on the development of a Yields in the Murray Valley. M.Sc. Thesis. Charles Sturt University, local scale model for N and P. Water Research Commission Wagga Wagga, NSW.* Project K5/1516. North, S. H., Schipp, A. and Griffin, D. (2008). Soil moisture White, S. C. and Raine, S. R. (2008). A grower guide to plant changes in two Self Mulching Grey Clays in response to spring based sensing for irrigation scheduling. Publication 1001574/6. flooding on the Lowbidgee Floodplain, NSW. 32 pp. Final National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, USQ, Report to Murrumbidgee CMA. NSW DPI, Deniliquin.* Toowoomba. 52pp.* O’Connell, M. G., Whitfield, D. M., Goodwin, I., Dunn, G. M. Whitfield, D., Goodwin, I. and McAllister, A. (2008). Using satellites and Connor, D. J. (2007). Crop water requirement, yield and to establish crop water requirement of major irrigated canopy cover in high value perennial horticulture crops. horticultural crops. Irrigation Australia Journal, 23(2), 22.* Poster. CRC-IF Annual Research Forum. Townsville, Williams, C. M. J., Biswas, T. K., Black, I. and Heading, S. (2008). 10–14 September.* Pathways to prosperity. Second generation biomass crops Paydar, Z., Cook, F. J., Xevei, E. and Bristow. K. L. (2007). Review for biofules using saline lands and wastewater. Agricultural of the current understanding of irrigation mosaics. CSIRO Land Science. 21(1), 28–34. and Water Science Report No. 40/07, CRC for Irrigation Futures Williams, C. M. J., Biswas, T. K., Glatz, P. and Kumar, M. (2007). Use Technical Report No. 08/07. 38 pp.* of recycled water from intensive primary industries to grow Petheram, C and Bristow, K. L. (2008). Towards an understanding crops within integrated biosystems. Agricultural Science. of the hydrological factors, constraints and opportunities for 21, 34–36. irrigation in northern Australia: A review. CSIRO Land and Wolfenden, J. and Attard, S. (2007). Change at the Catchment Water Science Report No. 13/08, CRC for Irrigation Futures Scale: Analysis of Formal and Informal Institutional Technical Report No. 06/08. 111 pp.* Arrangements and Processes – Lower Burdekin Irrigation Petheram, C., Tickell, S., O’Gara, F., Bristow, K. L., Smith, A. Region Case Study. CRC for Irrigation Futures Irrigation Matters and Jolly, P. (2008). Analysis of the Lower Burdekin, Ord and Series No. 01/07. CRC for Irrigation Futures, Sydney.* Katherine-Douglas-Daly Irrigation Areas: Implications to future Wolfenden, J. and Evans, M. (2007). Change at the Irrigation design and management of tropical irrigation. CSIRO Land Area Scale: An Exploration of Integrated Area Wide and Water Science Report No. 19/08, CRC for Irrigation Futures Management (IAWM) for Irrigation Communities. CRC for Technical Report No. 05/08. 101 pp.* Irrigation Futures Irrigation Matters Series No. 02/07. CRC for Poulter, R., Cresswell, G., Eberhard, J. K. and McHugh, A. D. Irrigation Futures, Sydney.* (2008). Irrigation efficiency and the physical properties Wolfenden, J., Evans, M., Essaw, D., Johnson, F., Sanderson, A., of nursery growing media. Nursery and Garden Industry Starkey, G., and Wilkinson, B. (2007). Resilience Management: Queensland, Brisbane.* A Guide for Irrigated Regions, Communities and Enterprises, Raine, S. R. and McHugh, A. D. (2008). South-East Queensland CRCIF Technical Report 01/07. CRC for Irrigation Futures, Irrigation Futures Research and Development Support. Sydney.* Annual Report. National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture Publication 1002008/3, USQ, Toowoomba.* Schrale, G. and Biswas, T. K. (2008). ‘Root Zone Water, Salinity and Nutrient Management under Precision Irrigation’. pp 29. SRD8 Project Milestone 4 Report to Land & Water Australia (Through NPSI). SARDI GPO Box 397 Adelaide 5001.* Story, J., Bristow, K. L. and Camkin, J. (2008). Northern Australia Irrigation Futures. National Program for Sustainable Irrigation Research Bulletin – Product Code PF081448. 4 pp.* Story, J., Bristow, K. L. and Camkin, J. (2008). Frameworks to Support Irrigation Decision Making in Northern Australia. National Program for Sustainable Irrigation Research Bulletin – Product Code PF081451. 4 pp.* Story, J., Bristow, K. L. and Camkin, J. (2008). Understanding Water Systems of Northern Australia. National Program for Sustainable Irrigation Research Bulletin – Product Code PF081450. 4 pp.* Story, J., Bristow, K. L. and Camkin, J. (2008). Irrigation Mosaics in Northern Australia. National Program for Sustainable Irrigation Research Bulletin – Product Code PF081449. 4 pp.* Sudan, F. K.,and McKay, J. (2007). Institutional aspects of groundwater governance: Experiences from South Australia and Lessons for India, International Journal of Environment and Development. 4(1):1–32. Thacker, J., Hornbuckle, J. W., Christen, E. W., Muirhead, W. and Stein, T-M. (2008). Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties, CSIRO Land and Water Science Report 24/08, CRC for Irrigation Futures Technical Report No. 03/08, January 2008.*
46 10 National Research Priorities
Our storage dam evaporation research has two primary 10.1 National research priority components: monitoring evaporation losses and goal highlights developing cost effective solutions to mitigate these losses. The results of the research also has important links with the other CRC IF research program (System Table 9. National Research Priorities and CRC Research Harmonisation) through the remote sensing work and the CRC RESEARCH NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES Cotton, Catchment and Communities CRC, through the (%) evaporation mitigation and monitoring work, the solute AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA – signatures research and the tools development and Transforming the way we use our land, water, mineral the close interaction with the CRC for Polymers with the and energy resources through a better understanding polymer development for evaporation mitigation. of environmental systems and using new technologies The Tools for Longevity and Profitability project covers the Water – a critical resource 40 measurement of the crop response from the plant level out to the whole-farm through the use of remote sensing Transforming existing industries 30 techniques. Measuring the hydraulic performance and Overcoming soil loss, salinity and 5 optimising the design of different irrigation systems are acidity also important components of this research. Incorporating Sustainable use of Australia’s the social and economic dimensions into the decisions 5 biodiversity that are made as a result of the measurements that are taken is critical to ensure the outputs from this project Responding to climate change 5 have the widest possible adoption. and variability FRONTIER TECHNOLOGIES FOR BUILDING AND Transforming existing industries TRANSFORMING AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES – Stimulating To date a social cost-benefit analysis for assessing the the growth of world-class Australian industries using economic water productivity of existing and future innovative technologies developed from cutting-edge commodities has been developed in our four key regions. research This method relies on the assumption that irrigation Smart information use 10 schemes were built for the purpose of satisfying the needs of those who use them and that these people have Promoting an innovation culture 5 collected interest within a region. Users are assumed and economy to have multiple desires for the application of a limited supply of water. Our evaluation is based on the principles Water – a critical resource associated with gross margins to value those elements GIS based interactive water cycle conceptual models that can be using market prices and a socio-economic have been developed which represent three-dimensional trade-off approach to assess those that can not be made “cartoons” of the water quantity and quantity cycles. using market principles. Such conceptual models bring together rivers, aquifers, Our social, cultural, institutional and policy research geological layers and soils, rainfall and irrigation attempts to break new ground in considering how to infrastructure such as dams and channels. couple behavioural systems to existing and future physical These conceptual models have been fully developed for and economic systems, which it is hoped will result in new three of the regions (Coleambally, Limestone Coast and approaches to institutional design for Triple Bottom Line Macintyre Brook), while critical layers have been collated outcomes. and are currently being integrated for the Western Sydney region. These models are helping identify water Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity management opportunities to lift the value of irrigated Our Solute Signatures project focuses on the movement agriculture to peak economic and environmental of solutes and water below the root zone as a means of performance. measuring the performance of the irrigation system and its management. The development of tools to assist with In addition our work with the Northern Australia Irrigation interpretation of the measurements will be the primary Futures (NAIF) program has developed knowledge outputs from this project. Aspects of this work are already platforms, tools and processes to support debate and being applied by industry, for example the Sentek transparent decision making regarding the future of ‘SoluSampler’ device was launched as a commercial irrigation in northern Australia. Key outputs from this product. project include an ecologically sustainable development (ESD) framework, science to underpin irrigation mosaics impact analysis and water quantity and quality transformations in the context of surface-ground water interactions.
47 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity Smart information use The System Harmonisation program is undertaking cost- Our 3D GIS water cycle conceptual models require a effectiveness analysis to determine alternative ways of vast quantity of data/information from different data providing ecosystem services within the irrigation systems sources. The System Harmonisation team has developed and to their surrounding environments. This analysis data mining techniques to analyse key sustainability is helping understand pathways to improved water relationships between the fixed and variable parameters productivity while achieving environmental dividends by of irrigation systems which is helping identify future risks alternative ways of supplying water or growing a different to the water resources as well as critical hotspots for mix of crops or conjunctive use of surface and ground infrastructure investments. A preliminary assessment of water. information available nationally on storage dam location and size and systems for accounting for storages has Responding to climate change and variability been completed. This is informing the market potential of The CRC IF research focuses on making better decisions different evaporation mitigation technologies. on how irrigation water is used from the farm through to regional and National levels. In the past these decisions Promoting an innovation culture and economy have been shaped by climate variability and now We are working with a range of SMEs to promote increasingly by climate change. An example of the innovation in the irrigation industries through delivery research that the CRC IF undertakes which responds of CRC IF products. The concept of Regional Irrigation directly to climate variability at the paddock scale is Business Partnerships is being trialed in four key regions the incorporation of short-term weather forecasts into to develop SMEs for value added irrigated agriculture in decision support tools. At the regional scale, the response Australia. In addition our zone structure is being re-aligned required to climate change is incorporated through the to industry interests. modelling of the irrigation system. The water cycle analysis undertaken by the System Harmonisation program is analysing change in water supply and demand due to enhanced climate variability and climate change. This work in the four Regional Irrigation Business Partnership regions is helping underpin short and long term water infrastructure investments by considering security of water supply and projected water demand under different climate and development scenarios.
48 11 Performance Measures
Progress against the CRC IF’s performance measures is given in Table 10. (Values in brackets are the 2006/07 and 2005/06 measures, respectively where appropriate).
Table 10. Progress on Performance Measures CRC Programme Objective 1: To enhance the contribution of long-term scientific and technological research and innovation to Australia’s sustainable economic and social development CRC IF OBJECTIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURE 2007–08 PROGRESS / ACHIEVEMENT CRC IF Objective 1.1: • The unprecedented drought and its impact on the Develop a strong irrigation industries continues to impede our ability scientific basis for a to facilitate positive change. suite of management and planning tools and • 1 book and book chapter (5,4) Documented adoption of the policy options to optimise • 34 publications in refereed journals (23, 23) techniques developed by the water use, maximise Centre as well as a reduced • 99 conference papers (50, 62) profitability, facilitate environmental impact of • 69 reports (42, 48) change, enhance the irrigation viability of communities • Range of tools, training packages and processes and to protect soil and adopted by irrigation industry (See 2.1 & 2.2) . The water condition and the full impact of these management and planning dependent ecosystems outputs will ascertained in the final year of the CRC. CRC IF Objective 1.2: • A comprehensive approach to the use and management of low quality (high salt) water from Through scientific root zone to whole of catchment. understanding of • Development of operation guidelines completed irrigating with water Increased use of recycled for horticultural industry. of varying quality and lower quality water in • Evaluations of community perceptions relating in various locations, irrigation accompanied by to food safety and the long-term sustainability develop opportunities environmental safeguards and undertaken at a number of locations in both rural for economic use and operating guidelines and urban environments. re-use of water within • Development of the Western Sydney WISER sustainability constraints regional partnership to deliver the science required to understand and base the future water decisions in this growth area. CRC Programme Objective 2: To enhance the transfer of research outputs into commercial or other outcomes of economic, environmental or social benefit to Australia CRC IF Objective 2.1: • Commercial availability of products (Irrimate, Recorded uptake of new and SoluSampler, Fullstop, CP&LM training course) existing irrigation technologies and decision support systems (WaterSense; by irrigators. Increased use Develop and promote Dam Evaporation Calculator, SILO ET, CP&LM of objective and systematic new technologies, visualisation tool, Soil mapping tool, SMS deliver of water scheduling, together methods, and systems for ET). the irrigation sector with improved volumetric water measurement • The full impact of these management and planning tools will ascertained in the final year of the CRC.
49 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
Table 10. Progress on Performance Measures CRC IF OBJECTIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURE 2007–08 PROGRESS / ACHIEVEMENT CRC IF Objective 2.2: Successful record of using Encourage and develop • 9 contract research projects undertaken to the seminars, workshops and a excellent communication value of $1,707,347 (6 – $383,402, 3 – $235,124). range of information distribution and networking within • 34 training events contributed to by CRC members channels to inform the irrigation the irrigation research or delivered under licence (7, 4). community. All sectors of community, and the industry contributing to • 16 workshops and conferences organised by CRC between researchers research, development and members (10, 4). and the industry education priorities • See also 4.2 CRC Programme Objective 3: To enhance the value to Australia of graduate researchers CRC IF Objective 3.1: • Research degrees available through our University Devise and implement partners. education and training Courses developed and • CRC providing industry expose to students and programs that produce graduates employed in workshops to broaden their research and industry high quality researchers Australia and internationally capacity. whose services are demanded by industry • 14 postgraduate students employed in irrigation industry. CRC IF Objective 3.2: Produce graduates Contribution of centre who can contribute not • 52 postgraduate students (39 in course, 7 graduates recognised by the only to research but to submitted, 6 graduated). industry with fifty postgraduates developing the capacity • 7 Honours students (2 enrolments, 5 completions). completing courses over the life of the whole irrigation of the CRC industry CRC Programme Objective 4: To enhance collaboration among researchers, between researchers and industry or other users, and to improve efficiency in the use of intellectual and other research resources CRC IF Objective 4.1:
High level and creative • 100% of projects with 2 or more partners (100, Strong track record of collaboration amongst 100%). collaboration on CRC projects the core partners • 47% of publications with non-CRC IF authors (54, between all participants and of the CRC and the 55%). the industry with an ongoing involvement, where commitment to collaboration • 142 participants attended the Annual Research appropriate, of scientists after the life of the CRC Forum (122, 110). from outside of the CRC
CRC IF Objective 4.2: • 1,424 subscribers to the CRC IF’s e-Newsletter (1,271,766). • 203,791 visits to the CRC IF website (143,350, Involvement of the broad 52,280). High level and creative irrigation community in CRC • Four specific websites: collaboration and activities, including all aspects communication with all www.cottonandgrains.irrigationfutures.org.au of research from priority setting clients and stakeholders www.seq.irrigationfutures.org.au to implementation of results in www.clw.csiro.au/naif/ including the broader the field community www.fullstop.com.au/ • 1,588 documents downloaded (2,154, 1,040), 79% downloaded by stakeholders (82, 84%). • 101 media contributions (81, 37). • 163 public presentations (124, 125)
50 12 Financial Information CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 95 91 81 78 72 78 893 232 988 119 159 197 -160 1,127 1,218 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 638 771 1,273 2,218 2,874 4,528 3,553 5,686 1,994 3,491 2,902 6,427 4,896 1,409 10,214 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals for 7 years 716 890 1,368 3,111 2,714 4,619 3,785 6,813 2,075 4,479 2,980 6,499 5,055 1,606 11,432 A ctual/ Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 95 91 81 78 72 78 893 232 988 119 159 197 -160 1,127 1,218 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 811 506 611 1,414 1,850 3,286 2,321 4,126 1,442 2,225 2,096 4,171 7,412 3,538 1,117 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals to 2007-08 906 584 730 2,307 1,690 3,377 2,553 5,253 1,523 3,213 2,174 4,243 8,630 3,697 1,314 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 80 231 402 512 621 616 780 633 276 403 679 146 1,128 1,401 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 80 2009-10 231 402 512 621 616 780 633 276 403 679 146 1,128 1,401 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 80 231 402 512 621 616 780 633 276 403 679 146 Projected 1,128 1,401 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 80 2008-09 231 402 512 621 616 780 633 276 403 679 146 1,128 1,401 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 80 231 402 512 621 616 780 633 276 403 679 146 1,128 1,401 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2007-08 231 984 574 396 867 350 107 672 154 261 1,177 1,215 1,441 1,573 1,022 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 80 231 402 512 621 616 780 633 276 403 679 146 Financial Information – Table 1 1,128 1,401 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2006-07 326 713 290 937 597 283 103 212 125 887 495 228 1,510 1,039 2,447 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 226 394 252 702 348 881 620 464 162 701 195 600 357 1,583 1,165 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A ctual 2005-06 226 394 252 702 348 881 620 464 162 701 195 600 357 1,583 1,165 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 106 185 229 703 324 883 291 154 127 193 153 553 347 280 1,586 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2004-05 106 185 229 703 324 883 291 154 127 193 153 553 347 280 1,586 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 31 48 85 345 639 417 802 272 396 103 762 668 188 1,441 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 31 48 85 2003-04 345 639 417 802 272 396 103 762 668 188 1,441 A ctual Charles Sturt University Salaries Capital Other Other Total Total NSW Department of Primary Industries Salaries CSIR O Salaries Capital Capital Other Other Total Total Qld Department of Natural Resources and Water Salaries South A ustralian Research and Development Institute Salaries Capital Capital Other Other Total Total Goulburn-Murray Rural Water A uthority Salaries Capital Other Total Land and Water A ustralia Salaries Capital In-Kind Contributions (dollars in $’000) Co re p a rticip nts
51 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 -83 -99 156 599 330 236 177 697 104 259 933 174 363 -182 -422 1,180 1,199 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 292 349 641 606 839 665 908 945 1,120 3,058 5,170 1,895 2,065 2,813 8,228 4,708 1,445 1,573 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals for 7 years 209 250 459 842 769 1,276 2,636 5,769 1,914 2,395 3,993 1,536 8,405 1,167 5,907 1,119 2,378 1,936 A ctual/ Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 -83 -99 156 599 330 236 177 697 104 259 933 174 363 -182 -422 1,180 1,199 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 172 742 205 377 425 598 461 630 659 1,914 3,652 1,219 1,401 1,883 5,566 3,102 1,023 1,091 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals to 2007-08 89 898 106 195 661 565 889 833 1,492 4,251 1,238 1,731 3,063 1,295 5,743 4,301 1,956 1,454 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 72 73 97 189 132 572 759 332 338 465 102 803 139 170 143 241 1,331 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 72 73 97 2009-10 189 132 572 759 332 338 465 102 803 139 170 143 241 1,331 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 72 189 132 572 759 332 338 108 465 144 102 803 139 252 143 241 Projected 1,331 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 72 2008-09 189 132 572 759 332 338 108 465 144 102 803 139 252 143 241 1,331 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 72 189 132 572 759 332 338 119 465 158 102 803 139 277 143 241 1,331 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2007-08 257 345 456 375 233 606 112 293 839 199 405 1,144 1,031 1,489 1,406 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 72 189 132 572 759 332 338 119 465 158 102 803 139 277 143 241 1,331 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 45 82 2006-07 277 377 973 538 320 241 407 196 244 648 261 440 1,079 1,350 1,399 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 27 50 154 300 891 312 288 144 534 218 136 822 186 362 158 322 1,191 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 27 50 A ctual 2005-06 154 300 891 312 288 144 534 218 136 822 186 362 158 322 1,191 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 13 25 43 64 82 179 154 824 362 222 374 978 596 113 107 183 195 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 13 25 43 64 82 2004-05 179 154 824 362 222 374 978 596 113 107 183 195 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 31 21 38 63 33 45 39 78 53 32 92 316 419 735 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 31 21 38 63 33 45 39 78 53 32 92 2003-04 316 419 735 A ctual S A Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Salaries Capital Other Total Other Total University of Southern Queensland Salaries Sunwater Salaries Capital Capital Other Other Total Total University of Western Sydney Salaries Capital The University of New England Salaries Capital Other Total Other Total University of Melbourne Salaries Capital Other Total University of South A ustralia Salaries Capital In-Kind Contributions (dollars in $’000) C ore participants (continued)
52 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 -2 23 30 30 39 28 357 236 380 -142 -180 -322 5,598 5,834 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 96 402 510 912 262 487 150 749 2,307 3,570 5,877 21,075 29,899 50,974 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals for 7 years 84 260 330 105 590 292 485 189 777 2,330 3,927 6,257 21,311 35,497 56,808 A ctual/ Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 -2 23 30 30 39 28 357 236 380 -142 -180 -322 5,598 5,834 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 32 50 260 330 590 154 287 441 1,851 2,864 4,715 14,596 21,142 35,738 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals to 2007-08 48 41 89 118 150 268 184 285 469 1,874 3,221 5,095 14,832 26,740 41,572 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 71 90 18 32 54 50 228 353 581 161 100 154 3,222 4,355 7,577 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 71 90 18 32 54 50 2009-10 228 353 581 161 100 154 3,222 4,355 7,577 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 71 90 18 32 54 50 228 353 581 161 100 154 Projected 3,257 4,402 7,659 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 71 90 18 32 54 50 2008-09 228 353 581 161 100 154 3,257 4,402 7,659 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 71 90 18 32 54 50 228 353 581 161 100 154 3,268 4,416 7,684 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 21 68 45 2007-08 159 430 589 128 196 3,081 7,615 10,696 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 71 90 53 228 353 581 161 100 153 3,268 4,416 7,684 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 20 69 44 70 2006-07 320 633 953 139 3,691 6,815 10,506 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 75 95 27 51 78 454 702 170 3,309 5,231 1,156 8,540 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 75 95 27 51 78 A ctual 2005-06 454 702 170 3,309 5,231 1,156 8,540 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 55 98 20 36 56 476 735 2,491 4,040 1,211 6,531 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 55 98 20 36 56 2004-05 476 735 2,491 4,040 1,211 6,531 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 465 721 2,260 3,039 1,186 5,299 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003-04 465 721 2,260 3,039 1,186 5,299 A ctual VIC Department of Primary Industries Salaries BSES Ltd Salaries Capital Capital Other Other Other Total Total Total Irrigation A ssociation of ustralia Ltd Salaries Total in-kind from Core Participants Salaries Murray Irrigation Ltd Salaries Capital Capital Capital Other Other Other Total Total Total The University of Queensland Salaries Capital Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd Salaries Other Capital Total In-Kind Contributions (dollars in $’000) Co re p a rticip nts (continued) S upp o rting p a rticip nts
53 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 0 0 0 -82 194 243 348 437 -173 -255 5,668 6,016 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 718 1,093 1,811 21,793 30,992 52,785 A gr’mt 0 0 0 Totals for 7 years 636 920 194 243 437 1,556 22,141 36,660 58,801 A ctual/ Projected 0 0 0 -82 194 243 348 437 -173 -255 5,668 6,016 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 432 649 1,081 15,028 21,791 36,819 A gr’mt 0 0 0 Totals to 2007-08 350 476 194 243 826 437 15,376 27,459 42,835 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 143 222 365 3,365 4,577 7,942 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 2009-10 143 222 365 3,365 4,577 7,942 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 143 222 365 Projected 3,400 4,624 8,024 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 2008-09 143 222 365 3,400 4,624 8,024 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 143 222 365 3,411 4,638 8,049 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 92 95 2007-08 149 109 241 204 3,268 7,873 11,141 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 124 190 314 3,392 4,606 7,998 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 93 90 99 2006-07 134 183 233 3,883 7,039 10,922 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 102 146 248 3,411 5,377 8,788 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 A ctual 2005-06 102 146 248 3,411 5,377 8,788 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 63 91 154 2,554 4,131 6,685 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 63 91 2004-05 154 2,554 4,131 6,685 A ctual has made extra cash contributions of $421k in substitution in-kind contributions. and Water 2 “Cash Contributions”, Queensland Department of Natural Resources As detailed in the notes to Table by the Governing This has been approved Agreement. with Clause 22.3 of the Centre and the Commonwealth in accordance Board Also, the above as zero. recorded contributions are their 2003-04 Actual and Agreement Participant of the CRCIF since 1 January 2005 and therefore The University of New England has been a Core the Funding Period. to the UNE’s 5.5 years of active membership throughout for 7 years” relate columns headed “Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,260 3,039 5,299 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003-04 2,260 3,039 5,299 A ctual In-Kind Contributions (dollars in $’000) SUPP O RTING p a rticip nts (continued) Total in-kind from Supporting Participants Salaries Capital Other Total O ther in-kind non-participants Salaries Capital Other Total Total in-kind contributions Salaries Capital Other Grand total in-kind (T1) No tes For 2007-08 financial year
54 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -65 -36 -98 659 659 -199 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 72 350 210 413 700 200 700 256 700 350 175 503 1,000 1,750 6,373 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 77 350 210 413 700 200 191 700 350 304 Totals for 7 years 1,359 1,000 1,750 7,032 A ctual/ Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -65 -36 -90 521 521 -191 Diff 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 90 250 150 263 500 200 500 156 500 250 282 1,000 1,250 4,863 A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 91 91 Totals to 2007-08 250 150 263 500 200 500 250 1,021 1,000 1,250 5,384 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 50 18 50 40 100 100 250 100 755 108 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 50 18 50 46 100 100 250 100 755 114 2009-10 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 50 18 50 45 100 100 250 100 755 113 Projected gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 50 18 50 31 99 100 238 250 100 893 2008-09 Projected 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 50 18 50 45 100 100 250 100 755 113 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 10 50 10 2007-08 100 421 250 100 1,076 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 25 18 50 45 88 100 100 250 100 755 gr’mt A gr’mt Financial Information – Table 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 75 50 2006-07 100 300 250 100 955 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 50 113 100 100 250 100 793 gr’mt A gr’mt A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 50 2005-06 113 100 100 250 100 793 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 78 50 78 100 100 500 250 100 1,180 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 30 78 50 78 2004-05 100 100 500 250 100 1,180 A ctual 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 50 30 50 100 200 100 500 250 100 1,380 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 50 30 50 2003-04 100 200 100 500 250 100 1,380 A ctual Queensland Department NRW Total cash from core participants VIC Department of Primary Industries University of Western University of Western Sydney University of Southern Queensland University of South Australia University of Melbourne The University of New England ** Sunwater * SARDI * NSW Department of Primary Industries Total cash from supporting participants The University of Queensland Australia Land and Water ** Goulburn-Murray Rural Authority Water Irrigation Association of Australia Ltd SARDI CSIRO Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd Charles Sturt University BSES Ltd Murray Irrigation Ltd Cash Contributions (dollars in $’000) c o re p a rticip nts S upp o rting p a rticip nts
55 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 0 0 0 0 0 — — -62 131 573 389 837 704 Diff 1,164 1,164 1,164 0 0 — — 29 199 587 198 1,693 2,508 16,000 11,867 13,319 25,384 25,384 25,384 A gr’mt 0 0 — — 29 199 718 136 Totals for 7 years 2,266 3,212 16,000 12,256 14,156 26,548 26,548 26,548 A ctual/ Projected 0 0 0 0 -2 — — 23 -38 106 292 -167 -170 -735 -907 Diff -1,407 0 0 — — 29 547 133 138 1,173 8,902 9,345 1,882 11,858 18,885 18,385 18,885 A gr’mt 0 0 — 29 Totals to 2007-08 653 156 136 1,006 8,732 8,610 1,699 1,844 11,858 19,177 17,478 17,478 A ctual 0 0 0 0 — — 15 33 220 268 1,568 1,401 1,625 2,699 3,026 2,699 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 0 14 21 487 553 522 2009-10 1,568 1,239 2,273 2,959 3,512 3,512 Projected 0 0 0 — — 25 33 60 300 358 Projected 2,574 1,564 2,349 3,800 3,973 3,800 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 51 22 773 553 846 2008-09 2,574 2,285 1,699 3,273 4,412 5,558 5,558 Projected 0 0 0 0 — — 50 49 300 399 2,696 2,002 3,354 3,963 5,356 3,963 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 81 2007-08 158 210 449 2,696 1,712 2,045 2,865 1,699 4,231 4,577 4,577 A ctual 0 0 0 — — 51 30 178 342 571 3,162 2,687 3,118 4,576 5,835 4,576 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 42 28 2006-07 176 265 483 3,162 3,152 2,807 2,045 2,872 4,600 5,707 5,707 A ctual 0 0 — — 33 28 34 159 368 588 2,614 1,767 1,745 3,995 3,546 3,995 gr’mt A gr’mt A ctual 0 0 33 28 34 2005-06 159 368 588 2,614 2,703 1,767 3,152 1,745 3,995 3,546 3,546 A ctual 8 0 0 0 1 0 — — 134 942 143 2,407 2,108 3,808 3,050 3,808 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 8 0 0 1 0 2004-05 134 942 143 1,945 2,407 2,703 2,108 3,808 3,050 3,050 A ctual 0 0 0 0 — — 26 74 155 979 338 186 181 598 2,543 2,543 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 0 0 0 — 26 74 2003-04 155 979 338 186 181 598 598 1,945 2,543 A ctual in substitution of in-kind contributions This extra contribution has been provided under the Commonwealth Agreement. than required is $321k greater and Water The Cash Contribution of $421k by Queensland Department Natural Resources by the Governingand approved Agreement. with Clause 22.3 of the Centre and the Commonwealth in accordance Board Interest Total other cash Education Commercialisation Contract research External grants Grand totals Total CRC cash contribution (T2) Cash carried over from Cash carried over from year (UB for previous year) previous Non-participants grant Total (less) Unspent balance (UB) Other Total A llocation of cash expenditure between heads Salaries Capital Total cash expenditure (T3) Cash Contributions (dollars in $’000) O THER C A SH CRC gr a nt * Australia Land and Water Organisations making cash contributions in the 2004 and 2005 financial years to CRCIF through ** Australia Land and Water Organisations making cash contributions in the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 financial years to CRCIF through No tes For 2007-08 financial year
56 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08 -62 6,016 1,164 1,185 6,057 7,180 7,180 Diff 198 52,785 25,384 35,112 42,859 78,169 78,169 A gr’mt Totals for 7 years 136 58,801 26,548 36,297 48,916 85,349 85,349 A ctual/ Projected -2 -387 6,016 5,498 4,609 5,109 -1,407 Diff 138 36,819 18,885 24,373 30,693 55,704 55,204 A gr’mt Totals to 2007-08 136 42,835 17,478 23,986 36,191 60,313 60,313 A ctual 0 7,942 2,699 4,990 5,978 10,641 10,968 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 2009-10 7,942 3,512 5,638 5,816 11,454 11,454 Projected 60 Projected 8,024 3,800 5,749 6,188 11,824 11,997 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 2008-09 of about 70% and 20% respectively and Education represents (cash and in-kind) on Research The expenditure entity. The expenditure the maturation of CRC as a research This reflects total expenditure. the Centre’s and Administration is Transfer (cash and in-kind) on External Communications, Commercialisation/Technology reaffirming maturity. the Centre’s for the prior financial year, collectively similar to the levels reported 8,024 5,558 6,673 6,909 13,582 13,582 Projected 0 8,049 3,963 6,765 6,640 12,012 13,405 gr’mt A gr’mt 0 2007-08 4,577 6,133 9,585 11,141 15,718 15,718 A ctual No tes For 2007-08 financial year 30 7,998 4,576 6,510 7,293 12,574 13,833 3.4 1.8 1.4 2.1 gr’mt A gr’mt 29.5 38.2 Financial Information – Table 3 28 2006-07 5,707 6,755 9,846 10,922 16,629 16,629 A ctual staff (FTE) [2] Cash funded 34 8,788 3,995 5,156 7,144 0.0 0.5 0.8 4.9 12,783 12,334 19.8 26.0 gr’mt A gr’mt 34 A ctual 2005-06 8,788 3,546 5,156 7,144 Contributed staff (FTE) [2] 12,334 12,334 A ctual 0 329 214 371 (T1) 1,736 8,491 6,685 3,808 3,496 6,239 11,141 9,735 10,493 Resource usage gr’mt A gr’mt 0 2004-05 In-kind ($’000) 6,685 3,050 3,496 6,239 9,735 9,735 A ctual 98 700 161 (T3) 1,278 2,340 4,577 74 5,299 2,543 2,446 3,377 7,842 5,897 gr’mt A gr’mt 74 Cash ($’000) [1] 2003-04 598 Financial Information - Table 4 5,299 2,446 3,377 5,897 5,897 A ctual Program Cash from all sources, including CRC program all sources, Cash from Total Administration Commercialisation/Tech. Commercialisation/Tech. transfer External communications Education Research Allocation of resources between categories activity for the 2007-08 financial year (dollars in $’000) Summary of resources applied to activities centre Grand total (in-kind) table 1 (T1) from Grand total (cash expenditure) table 2 (T3) from Total resources applied to activities of centre (T1+T3) A llocation of total resources applied to activities CRC between heads expenditure salaries Total (cash and in-kind) Total capital Total (cash and in-kind) Total other Total (cash and in-kind) Total Resources (dollars in $’000) [1] [2] Full time equivalent staff, excluding students
57 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
12.1 Qualified Accountant Certification
AUDITORS REPORT TO THE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRES PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION, INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH REPRESENTING THE COMMONWEALTH IN RESPECT OF COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE FOR IRRIGATION FUTURES
Financial information for the year ended 30 june 2008
Scope We have audited the financial information of the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures as set out in Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the Annual Report (being the tables showing in-kind and cash contributions for each party to the CRC, and cash expenditure) for the year ended 30 June 2008. The parties to the Cooperative Research Centre are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the financial information. We have conducted an independent audit of the financial information in order to express an opinion on it to the parties to the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures. The financial information has been prepared for the parties to the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures for the purposes of fulfilling their annual reporting obligations under clause 14 (1) (f) of the Commonwealth Agreement and for distribution to the Cooperative Research Centres Program, Department Of Innovation, Industry, Science And Research, representing the Commonwealth of Australia. We disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this report or on the financial information to which it relates to any person other than those mentioned above, or for any purpose other than that for which it was prepared. Our audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards to provide reasonable assurance as to whether the financial information is free of material misstatement. Our procedures included examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial information, and the evaluation of accounting policies and significant accounting estimates. These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion as to whether in all material respects, the financial information is presented fairly in accordance with Australian accounting concepts and standards and requirements of the Commonwealth Agreement in terms of Clauses 4 (Contributions), 5 (1), 5 (2), 5 (3) (Application of the Grant and Contributions), 9 (1), 9 (5) (Intellectual Property) and 12 (2) (Financial Provisions), so as to present a view of the sources of funding and the application of funding of the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures and the application of which is consistent with our understanding of its financial activities during the year and its financial position. While we have not performed any audit procedures upon the estimates for the next period and do not express any opinion thereon, we ascertained that they have been formally approved by the Governing Board of the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures as required under the Joint Venture Agreement. The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis.
Tel: 61 7 3226 3555 | Fax: 61 7 3226 3500 | www.pkf.com.au PKF | ABN 83 236 985 726 Level 6, 10 Eagle Street | Brisbane | Queensland 4000 | Australia GPO Box 1078 | Brisbane | Queensland 4001
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Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
58 CRC IF Annual Report 2007-08
Audit Opinion In our opinion: 1. The financial statements present fairly that contributions, both cash and in-kind, have been made and recorded in accordance with the Budget as specified in Schedule 3 in accordance with the terms of the Commonwealth Agreement; except as detailed below:
Committed in Budget Actual Partner $’000 $’000 Cash Contribution Irrigation Association of Australia Ltd 50 10 Murray Irrigation Ltd 45 – Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd 18 – In-Kind Contribution SA Dept of Water, land and Biodiversity Conservation 132 – Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations 161 – Irrigation Association of Australia Ltd 50 44
2. In accounting for Commonwealth funding and Contributions, the CRC has exercised proper accounting standards and controls; and 3. The CRC has met its obligations to the Commonwealth in relation to treatment of Capital Items; and 4. The Cash Contributions and Commonwealth Funding have been paid into and expended from the CRCs Account and in accordance with the Commonwealth Agreement and all interest on the balance of the Account has been credited to the account. In our opinion, the Commonwealth Funding and the Contributions have been expended solely for the Activities and in accordance with Schedule 3 of this Contract and Australian accounting concepts and applicable Australian Standards; and that all CRC transactions have been conducted through the Account.
PKF Chartered Accountants
Albert Loots Partner
Dated at Brisbane this 8th day of September 2008.
59 13 Glossary of Terms
ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research CRC Cooperative Research Centre CRC IF Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures CSU Charles Sturt University DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry DNR Department of Natural Resources DPI Department of Primary Industries DWLBC Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation EMG Executive Management Group G-MW Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Authority IC Water International Centre of WATER for Food Security IPTRID International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage MODSIM International Congress on Modelling and Simulation NAIF Northern Australia Irrigation Futures NCEA National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture PIRSA Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia Qld NRW Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water R&D Research and Development RIBP Regional Irrigation Business Partnership RP2 Research Plan 2 SARDI South Australian Research and Development Institute SH System Harmonisation SRDC Sugar Research and Development Corporation UNE University of New England UniSA University of South Australia USDA United States Department of Agriculture USQ University of Southern Queensland UWS University of Western Sydney
60 USQ Graphics 08-1011 www.irrigationfutures.org.au Email: [email protected] Ph: 0746312046 |Fax:0746311870 PO Box56,DarlingHeights Qld 4350 FOR IRRIGATIONFUTURES COOPERATIVE RESEARCHCENTRE > BETTERIRRIGATION >BETTERENVIRONMENT FUTURE Research Centres supported under Established and Government’s the Australian Cooperative Program
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