Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee Water, Land and People Annual Report 2008-2009 For further information contact:
Peter Howard Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee C/o Department of Primary Industries 255 Ferguson Road Tatura Victoria 3616
Phone: (03) 5833 5343 Fax: (03) 5833 5299 Email: [email protected]
Published by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority PO BOX 1752 Shepparton Victoria 3632
ISSN: 1440 – 987X
Find more information about the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority on the web at: www.gbcma.vic.gov.au
Cover image: The late Ken Sampson, pictured in his element, inspecting program works in the catchment. (Photographer - Rachael Spokes GB CMA)
Acknowledgment This project is funded as part of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Regional Catchment Strategy in the Shepparton Irrigation Region and is provided with support and funding from the Australian Government and Victorian Government through the National Action Plan for salinity and water quality and the Natural Heritage Trust. This project is delivered primarily through partnerships between the Department of Primary Industries, Goulburn- Murray Water, Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, North Central Catchment Management Authority and other bodies.
Disclaimer The information contained in this report is offered by the State of Victoria, solely to provide information. While the information contained in this report has been formulated with due care, the State of Victoria, its servants and agents accept no responsibility for any error, omission, loss or other consequence which may arise from any person relying on anything contained in this paper. 2 Contents
OVERVIEW...... 4 Introducing the Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee...... 4 Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy...... 8 Our Region...... 8
CHAIR’S MESSAGE...... 9
ACTIVITIES and ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 11 Executive Team Report ...... 11 Environment Program...... 12 Farm Program...... 17 Tackling Pests Program...... 20 Surface Water Management Program...... 21 Groundwater and Salt Management Program...... 25 Waterways Program...... 29 Monitoring Program ...... 33 Program Support...... 34 Research Program ...... 35
APPENDICES...... 40 Outputs achieved 2008-2009...... 40 Salinity targets achieved since 1990 ...... 41 Salt Disposal Report...... 42 Budget and Final Expenditure 2008-2009...... 42 SIRCIS funds source 2008-2009...... 43 SIRCIS expenditure 2008-2009...... 43 Summary of Cost Share...... 44 Community Education Awareness Grants...... 45 Committees and Working Group Members 2008-2009 ...... 46 Publications and presentations...... 49 Partnership Agency Staff 2008-2009...... 51
ABBREVIATIONS...... 54
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...... 55
3 4 OVERVIEW following pages. Committee members are shown inthediagramon Goulburn-Murray Water). Current Implementation ofSustainability andEnvironmentDepartment and Industries; ofPrimary agencies (Department partnership community representatives andrepresentatives from and theirlinkstocommunity networks. There are eight Members are nominatedbecauseoftheirspecificskills for aperiodoffour years. The ImplementationCommitteemembersare appointed • • • • • • • • The ImplementationCommitteeroles include: Roles Committee. input intotheseprograms through theImplementation protect ournaturalresources. The community provides development ofdetailedwork anddelivery programs to Irrigation Region includingoverseeingShepparton the vital role ineffective landandwatermanagementinthe Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteeplays a strong role in managing natural resources. The Shepparton Management Authority (GBCMA)togive communities a established by theGoulburnBroken Catchment Committee isoneoftwo ImplementationCommittees Irrigation RegionImplementation The Shepparton Implementation Committee Introducing Irrigation Region theShepparton OVERVIEW various forums. Representing theImplementationCommitteeon sub-committees; Implementation Committee Working Groups and Irrigation Region Chairing andattendingShepparton and targets; to theGBCMAonachievement ofobjectives Monitoring performance onactivitiesandreporting stakeholder groups; Acting asacommunication linkwithrelevant Overseeing on-ground works programs; specific issuesorsub-catchments; Planning, developing andimplementingplansfor Implementation Strategy; Irrigation RegionCatchment of theShepparton Delivering the program of natural resource objectives and budgets; management objectives, targets, activities, priorities Providing advicetotheGBCMAonresource working groups andspecificproject teams. Region Technical Committee, Support (SIRTEC) the provide technicalinputthrough Irrigation theShepparton Catchment ImplementationStrategy. Agency staffalso Irrigation Region implementation oftheShepparton which provides executive andtechnicaladvicefor the by anExecutiveCommittee issupported Support Team, Irrigation RegionImplementation The Shepparton Technical support groups andagencyrepresentatives. Farmers Federation, LocalGovernment, environmental Committees ofGoulburn-Murray Water, Victorian representatives from eachofthefour Water Service Groups comprisecommunity representatives including and SaltManagement, and Waterways. All Working Environment; Surface Water Management; Groundwater Irrigation RegionImplementationCommittee: Farmand action program areas overseen by theShepparton Working Groups have beenestablishedfor thefour Working Groups Partnership’ (seediagramofstructurePartnership’ below). a committeestructure shown inthe ‘SIRIC Community actively indecision-making processes participate through – State, Federal andLocal. Community representatives between the localcommunity andalllevels of government signifiesatruepartnership Implementation Strategy Irrigation RegionCatchment The Shepparton ownership ofthedecision-makingprocess. its implementation. This ensures community inputand evolvesCatchment ImplementationStrategy during at every level Irrigation Region astheShepparton networkpartnership enablescommunity involvement network.of amulti-faceted partnership This Community involvement ismadepossiblebecause Partnership structure Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy Partners Irrigation RegionCatchmentImplementationStrategy Shepparton • • • • • Landcare Groups Executive Support committee Budget Sub- Waterways Groundwater &Salt Surface Drainage Farm &Environment North Central North Working Groups: Management Catchment Authority Committees, Agencies, Community Groups Community Groups Action Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Irrigation Region Implementation Shepparton Shepparton Committee Plan Groups Landholder Local Area including Groups Drainage Groups City ofGreater Shepparton SIR Technical Support Partnership Partnership Agencies: Local Government Broken Goulburn Implementation Shire ofCampaspe DPI, DSE, G-MW, NVIRP &GVW Committee Committee Moira Shire Landholders Individual
5 OVERVIEW Shepparton Irrigation Region CommunityImplementation Representatives Committee
Victoria
Stephen Farrell Stephen is a dairy Allen Canobie John Wenske farmer from Echuca. Allen is an irrigation John is an irrigation He has been a farmer at Numurkah dairy farmer and member of GB CMA who has been involved business owner from for the last 7 years. with environmental Katandra West who Stephen is an active management since has been actively Landcare member and the days of the salinity involved in the irrigation Goulburn Broken is concerned about all program (Salinity industry for a number of aspects affecting the Program Advisory years, being a member Catchment environment. Stephen Council). He is the Chair of water services believes landowners should be encouraged to of the Surface Water and reconfiguration use better farming practices and communities Management Working committees as well as the Groundwater made aware of the long term benefits of the Group committed to promoting better farming and Salt Management Working Group. implementation of on-ground works. Stephen’s practices encompassing revegetation, John is keen to play a role in ensuring the main focus is to balance environmental nutrients and fertiliser use. Allen also has ongoing viability and sustainability of our management with farming practices. a strong commitment to developing better catchment community by encouraging Another important focus is maintaining farm partnerships with processing bodies and adoption of sustainable integrated resource productivity, profitability and provide a future industry and the wider community. management principles to tackle challenges for our sons and daughters. Stephen is also of the potential climate change, competing a member of the Surface Water Management demands for water and regional adjustment. Working Group.
Roger Wrigley Roger is a geotechnical and environmental engineer and soil scientist employed as an academic by the University of Melbourne at Dookie Peter Gibson College. His research Chair and practice is related to soil,water and waste Peter is an irrigation management. Students serve as his eyes dairy farmer and and ears and he relishes learning from business manager them whilst the CMA engagement ensures at Nanneella and is the relevance of his teaching and research. involved in a number Roger is a member of both the Waterways of committees and and Farm and Environment Working Group. organisations. He is passionate about the John Gray use of water and its John Gray is a retired impact on the environment into the future. school teacher Peter has seen a number of changes who has had vast Helen Reynolds during his involvement with catchment Nick Ryan experience as a management. Peter has been re-elected Nick is an irrigation municipal councillor, Helen is an irrigation as the Chair of the Shepparton Irrigation dairy farmer and has and as a government grain farmer Region Implementation Committee. a keen interest in appointee to the former and enthusiastic The Regional Catchment Strategy is sustainable economic Catchment and Land conservationist and a critical document and sets targets growth and natural Protection Board, the has a background in and priorities for on-ground works. resource management GB CMA and Goulburn ecology and natural Peter has been Chair of the Nanneella/ in the Shepparton Valley Water. He is resource management. Timmering Landcare group for a Irrigation Region. proud to have enthusiastically embraced She is President of number of years and is a member of the Nick is Chairman of a successful cultural and organisational the Goulburn Valley Rochester Campaspe Water Services Steering Committee changes in natural resource management, Environment Group and Committee. Peter is also a member of project ‘Future Dairy Farming Systems’. the water industry and local government an active member of the Victorian Farmers the Groundwater and Salt Management Nick brings a number of skills to the over the past progressive couple of decades. Federation and the Victorian Irrigated Working Group. program and is a keen advocate of John is committed to the environment, Cropping Council. She is interested in community consultation keeping the sound sustainable land planning principles, seeing the region flourish through improved public informed of the work done by the floodplain management and best utilisation environmental management on farms and implementation committee and its working of our finite water resource. John is a enhanced protection and management of groups. Nick is also a member of the member of the Farm and Environment public land. Helen is also a member of the Waterways Working Group. Working Group. Farm and Environment Working Group.
6 John Wenske the community toleave thelandinbettershape for thenextgeneration. Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteestrivesThe Shepparton toreflect theneedsandaspirationsof between $1.27 and$1.64(benefit:costratio). benefits ofthe works issuchthat for dollarinvested,every they canpotentially receive approximately works program gives landholderstheconfidencetoinvest in “works thatwill work”. Thevalueofpotential The effectiveness Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteetodeliver oftheShepparton anon-ground Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteeoversee.that Shepparton have thefinancialcapacity toinvest inpositive outcomestotheirproperties andaccessincentive schemes environment. The financial strength ofagriculture industriesinthisirrigation region enableslandholdersto Irrigation RegionthecommunityWithin theShepparton isresilient inadapting toaconstantly changing Committee. people. Irrigation RegionImplementation This hasbeenintrinsictothesuccessofShepparton From itsbeginningstheExecutive Officerhas fostered aclose relationship with agency key partnership network. the committeestructure. Informal communication isencouragedthrough theworking group andcommittee Community representatives oftheworking groups have fullconfidenceincommunicating across alllevels of interest groups suchasLandcare. Environment, Water Committees, Services the Victorian FarmersFederation, LocalGovernment andlocal Industries, ofPrimary Department Goulburn-Murray Water, ofSustainabilityand theDepartment These groups comprisecommunity membersandagencystaffincludingrepresentatives from the and SaltManagement, Surface Water Managementand Waterways. Irrigationfour Regionprograms Shepparton through working groups: FarmandEnvironment, Groundwater Community representatives agenciescombineinacloseworking andpartner relationship tooversee the strategic direction. Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteeisactivelyShepparton involved inpolicyframework designand relationships between farmingcommunity representatives agenciesandlocalgovernment. andpartner The The continued effectiveness Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteeisduetostrong oftheShepparton Shepparton Irrigation RegionImplementationCommittee- Shepparton A SuccessStory
7 OVERVIEW 8 OVERVIEW being ofamulticultural background. properties, with over 20percent ofthoselandholders 120,000 peopleandincludes more than7000rural Irrigation Region’sThe Shepparton population isover industries are horticulture, dairying, cropping andgrazing. value ofagriculturalproduction. The mainprimary billion. This accountsfor 14.9percent of Victoria’s gross agricultural production in2005-2006(ABS)was$1.38 megalitres of watereachyear. The gross value of Irrigation Regionutiliseapproximately 1.5million The irrigated area of317,000hawithintheShepparton oftheMurray-Darlingcatchment andforms part Basin. Broken catchment, theeasternarea Central oftheNorth and occupiesapproximately onethird oftheGoulburn Irrigation RegioncoversThe Shepparton over 500,000ha Our Region of this funding going directly to on-ground works projects. attracts fundingofcloseto$18millionwiththemajority Irrigation Region ImplementationCommittee Shepparton 2009, thiswasapproximately $34million. Annually, the projects andongoing operationandmaintenance. In2008- Catchment ImplementationStrategy, bothtocapital Irrigation Region commitment totheShepparton Governments. The regional community hasamajor regional community, the Australian, Victorian andLocal isfundedjointly byImplementation Strategy the Irrigation RegionCatchment The Shepparton Who pays greenhouse gasemissions. health, pestplantsandanimalsclimatechange issues: salinity, waterquality, native biodiversity, riverine addressesImplementation Strategy thefollowing Irrigation RegionCatchment The Shepparton Irrigation Regionfor current andfuture community. the conditionofnaturalresources intheShepparton community cooperation, aimstoimprove thestrategy management. Commencingin1989, withwhole provides theframework for land, waterandbiodiversity isa30-year that Implementation Strategy strategy Irrigation RegionCatchment The Shepparton Implementation Strategy Irrigation RegionCatchment Shepparton A modernised irrigation structure in the Shepparton Irrigation Region Irrigation structure intheShepparton A modernisedirrigation India. arrived communities from countriessuchasIraq, Iranand European post-war migration, co-exist with more recently established communities, primarily asaresult ofSouthern linguistic diversity isafeature oftheregion where well population outsidemetropolitan Melbourne. Culturaland Our region ishometothelargestIndigenous Australian CHAIR’S MESSAGE Allen Canobie, Nick Ryan and I were reappointed to the Implementation Committee for four years. John Wenske became a new member following the completion of half the committee’s four year term. Peter Gibson Chair Peter McCamish did not seek reappointment due to commitments on the boards of the Northern Victoria Shepparton Irrigation Renewal Project and Water for Victoria. On Irrigation behalf of the Implementation Committee I would like to Region thank Peter for his dedication and the knowledge and Implementation energy he brought to the Implementation Committee Committee during his four year term.
I would personally like to commend the continued work of my fellow Committee members: Allen Canobie, Steve Farrell, John Gray, Helen Reynolds, Nick Ryan, It is with great sadness that I begin my message by Roger Wrigley and John Wenske together with our acknowledging the sudden passing of our Executive Assistant Executive Officer, Peter Howard, and Agency Officer Ken Sampson. Ken has been the driving force representatives Terry Batey, James Burkitt and Rob and inspiration to the Committee for over 15 years. Steel. I thank them for their hard work and personal His immense technical knowledge and enthusiasm for contribution. community involvement created a unique collaboration that resulted in many natural resource management On behalf of the Committee, I would like to pay tribute success stories over the years. to Ken who has been taken all too soon. May we, as a Committee, continue to strive for the better outcomes This report details the program of works that the in the Shepparton Irrigation Region community that Ken Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee had dedicated his working life to. has achieved over the past year.
The Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Peter Gibson Implementation Strategy program successfully attracted $16 million in funding through Victorian and Australian Government initiatives including Our Water Our Future, Water in a Climatically Challenged Environment, and National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. The program also included over $0.5 million of regional funds.
The Implementation Committee was also supported in the delivery of the planned programs as a direct result of the ongoing commitment of the representatives from our Partnership Agencies: the Department of Primary Industries, Goulburn-Murray Water and the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the high level of professional support from the Executive Team.
The Implementation Committee continues to attract Peter Gibson and Ken Sampson (dec’d) chairing a Shepparton Irrigation CHAIR’S MESSAGE community leaders and benefits from a well credentialed Region Implementation Committee meeting and diverse membership with a wide knowledge and experience base.
9 10 CHAIR’S MESSAGE May herest in peace. Ken Sampson wasauniquemanandthegap he leaves difficultto fill. will bevery years tocome. Irrigation for RegionImplementationCommittee. theShepparton service Hisinfluencewill be felt for many Ken’s contributiontotheExecutive Team in this2008-2009 Report isKen’sAnnual Report lastofficialactof especially whencollaboratingfor presentations atconferences. His perceptions andadvicewere given freely for young andhissupport scientistswasalways encouraging, implications brought aboutby changingenvironmental needsinrecent years. witanddoggeddetermination inunderstandingpolicy much‘Sambo’ willbemissedvery for hisdry resource management wasastrength thatco-workers were tobenefitfrom. fortunate His passionfor andunderstandingofnatural community andwhatpeoplecould achieve together. Ken wasasolidbeliever inthestrength of death. Committee, apositionheadministrateduntilhis Irrigation RegionImplementation the Shepparton Management Authority asExecutive Officer of DPI towork for theGoulburnBroken Catchment Implementation Strategy. In2004Ken resigned from Irrigation RegionCatchment the Shepparton In 1994Ken becametheExecutive Officerof Extension Officer. before returning toEchucawork asadistrict Cattle Breeding Project inHissar, Haryana, India and SeniorProject Officer for theIndo-Australian This wasfollowed by astintasPrincipal Advisory Applied Research Officer. by several years inSwanHillasanExtensionand in Kerang, traininginirrigated agriculture followed Ken’s earliestforays intoagriculture were spent unexpected. October 2009. Hispassingwasbothsudden and Goulburn Valley, sadly passedaway on Thursday 8th was awork colleagueandfriendofmany inthe Ken Sampson, affectionately known as ‘Sambo’ Vale Ken Sampson 28/1/1950 -8/10/2009 Works and operations - Highlights ACTIVITIES and ACHIEVEMENTS • Whole Farm Plans on 247 properties covering 20,476ha were completed, including ten ‘revised Executive Team Report modernised’ plans, bringing the total number of Whole Farm Plans under this incentive to 3,716, Written by Peter Howard and Ken Sampson (dec’d), covering 253,959ha or 80 percent of the irrigated Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Commit- area; tee and Rod McLennan, Goulburn Broken Catchment • A total of 485 farm irrigation systems were assessed Management Authority to link with the irrigation modernisation process; • Sixty-six re-use systems draining 3,643ha were installed, bringing the total number of re-use systems Works and activities are delivered in collaboration with constructed with assistance from this scheme to 549 our regional partners in the Department of Primary serving 35,670ha; Industries, Goulburn-Murray Water and the Department Fifteen automatic irrigation systems were installed of Sustainability and Environment and more recently • under the scheme, serving 607ha, including seven Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project. Our for automating outlets from Goulburn-Murray links with Local Government form part of the strategy Water delivery channels, bringing the total number to ensure a consistent approach to natural resource of automatic irrigation systems constructed with management issues across the Shepparton Irrigation assistance from this scheme to 142 serving 8,238ha; Region. • Fifteen landholders received support to undertake environmental projects and they fenced 29ha of The emphasis this year has been to link implementation remnant vegetation and revegetated 62ha; of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation of many of the 94 waterways Implementation Strategy with various modernisation • grants were supported by the Drought Employment programs, especially the Northern Victoria Irrigation Program and achievements included 87km of fencing, Renewal Project, to optimise opportunities presented by protecting 1,397ha of vegetation and 390ha of changes to delivery systems. Much of the farm planning wetlands; establishment of 54 off-stream watering to date has been based on an unchanged regional delivery points; and revegetation of 84ha of streamside zone; system. With channel modernisation, the delivery system Environmental water was delivered to Reedy, Black is changing. This requires changes in the farm irrigation • and Kinnairds swamps and the Broken Creek; system to take full benefit of the improved delivery Five shallow groundwater pumps were installed and system. • six upgrades were completed, with ten new and five upgrades in progress. Completed works have New collaborations produced 1,595ML and therefore 1,595ha of irrigated Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation • land have been protected from high watertables; Committee has worked closely with the Northern • Groundwater investigations were completed at 43 Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project and other sites, and one was identified as suitable for private modernisation activities to ensure that water saving pumping. Three investigations are in progress. A new projects are consistent with and complementary to prioritisation process is being implemented and 11 implementation of the Shepparton Irrigation Region sites are on the newly prioritised waiting list; Catchment Implementation Strategy; • There were 5.5km of primary drains and 5.3km of A new environmental projects technical working • community drains constructed. group was established as part of the Groundwater and Salt Management Program.
Performance
The drought continues to have an impact on the works ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES programs, especially the Environmental and Surface Water Management Programs. Funding cuts have limited the Groundwater and Salt Management and Surface Water Management Programs. 11 Shepparton Irrigation Region Activities and achievements Implementation Catchment Strategy Program Reports: Environmental and Tree Growing Projects • Environment The Environmental and Tree Growing Projects have • Biodiversity provided advice to landholders throughout the • Farm Shepparton Irrigation Region relating to protection, • Tackling Pests enhancement and revegetation of native vegetation. • Surface Water Management Staff provided support to protect over 36ha of remnant • Groundwater and Salt Management vegetation (including three hectares of wetlands) and • Waterways over eight hectares of revegetation for corridors and • Monitoring understorey. • Program Support • Research Approximately 65 percent of remnant vegetation protection targets were achieved and 50 percent of Environment Program revegetation targets achieved (no revegetation adjacent to Surface Water Management Systems was completed). The Written by Jen Pagon, Department of Primary Industries Drought Employment Program completed some areas of work that would have been covered through these Program Goal: To protect and enhance natural assets and projects (see Drought Employment Program section their ecosystem processes and functions in a way that provides for details of other fencing, revegetation and protection benefits for native biodiversity, social and economic aspects. activities).
The Environment Program is a component of the In general the incentives progressed well with over Farm and Environment Program and a key delivery double the amount of landholders signing up compared program for the Shepparton Irrigation Region with last year. The direct seeding projects are set to be Catchment Implementation Strategy. The Environment completed in late August (2009). Program supports the main action programs including: Groundwater and Salt Management, Farm, Surface Water The review of these two projects was initiated this year. A Management and Waterways. steering committee has been formed. The review will be progressed in 2009-2010. The Environment Program provides a key service to the Groundwater and Salt Management and Surface Drought Employment Program Water Management Programs in particular by providing The Environment Program hosted a Drought Employment Environmental Assessments of planned and completed Program crew for 10 weeks. The crew started on the works. 27th January and worked at Madowla Park where over 5km of creek frontage fencing was completed along with The Environment Program has increasingly been involved 2.6km of fencing to protect Yellow Box and Murray Pine in protecting natural assets through the modernisation remnants. and reconfiguration project, and ensuring that the natural assets of our catchment are incorporated into day-to-day Approximately 4km of fencing was completed at a farm management. property near Picola to protect Grey Box and Buloke remnants and to allow for revegetation by direct seeding. This year was a challenge for the Environment Program, with many highlights achieved throughout. For the first The crew spent five days in Kanyapella Basin removing time, the program developed a Business Plan, outlining old fences adjacent to new fences constructed in 2008, all the project work for the year in conjunction with its creating a wire stock pile which was to be collected by a ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES stakeholders. This was a major step for the program to scrap steel merchant. take. The Business Plan provides investors with a clear outline of projects and targets to be achieved for the In total the crew completed 18.4km of fence protecting year, along with detail on the implementation of the 161.1ha of wetland, remnant and creek line vegetation. The crew finished fencing with Department of Primary 12 recommendations from the five year review. Industries supervision in April. All Drought Employment Modernisation Program reporting required by the Goulburn Broken Staff assisted the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA) was Project in their works by undertaking assessments on completed and submitted. priority wetlands assessment across the Shepparton Irrigation Region. This included the Environmental Environmental assessments Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act reports for The staff were involved in other projects across the Shepparton Irrigation Area and Future Flow. the Surface Water Management Programs and the Groundwater and Salt Management Program. Development and implementation of management plans for wetland and terrestrial Surface Water Management Program features Staff were involved in re-addressing the Murray Valley 11 The design and development of Environmental Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Management Plans for priority wetland and terrestrial Act (EPBC) Referral issue. There were also some sites in the Shepparton Irrigation Region is an alignment inspections completed along Murray Valley important value-adding tool to support improved Drain 11. water management. Environmental Management Plans are developed with input and strong collaborative For the Stanhope Depression surface water management processes across multiple agencies. Key partners are the system, the aquatic vegetation for a constructed wetland Department of Primary Industries (leading development was reviewed. of the plans), the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Goulburn-Murray Water, Parks Victoria, GB The Native Vegetation Removal exemptions for the CMA and community groups. These plans provide the Deakin 16 P Surface Water Management Systems were managing authority and community groups with a clear revised. view of what the needs and priorities are of each site.
Environmental Program staff were involved in negotiations The development and sign-off of Environmental for the retention of a melaleuca planting adjacent to the Management Plans allows the GB CMA and the Mosquito 8/25P community surface water management Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee system. to support provision of Environmental Water Allocations.
Final alignment inspections were completed for the An Environmental Water Allocation of 500ML was Muckatah 4P community surface water management secured for Reedy Swamp, with delivery of the water system. A case study for “Boring Under Native Vegetation” starting in April 2008. The Environment Program staff have policy was developed after construction of the Muckatah been using acoustic monitoring to ascertain what species 4P community surface water management system, as this of fauna are using the wetland as a refuge given the severe was the first time the policy had been used to bore under dry conditions across the Shepparton Irrigation Region. trees along a community surface water management Acoustic monitoring will continue at Reedy Swamp until system alignment. the water evaporates. The results of this monitoring will be submitted to the Shepparton Irrigation Region High Value Environmental Features Implementation Committee in 2009-2010. This project was conducted in collaboration with Goulburn-Murray Water and involved an assessment To further investigate Environmental Water Allocations of high value environmental features in the Shepparton for the wetlands in the Shepparton Irrigation Region, Jo Irrigation Region and prioritising those threatened attended a planning day with Paul O’Connor and Rolf by groundwater. A trial pump site was established at Weber (Department of Sustainability and Environment), the Millewa Nature Conservation Reserve. This year Keith Ward, Simon Casanelia and Carl Walters (GB CMA) soil testing and site investigations were completed for to discuss Environmental Water Allocation delivery ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES groundwater pump proposals at two sites, Millewa options to One Tree, Two Tree, Wallenjoe and Mansfield Reserve and Kanyapella Basin. This project will continue Swamps. They also visited Doctors Swamp and Stockyard into 2009-2010. Plain to look at water delivery options for the 2009–2010 Environmental Water Allocations. 13 Terrestrial Environmental Management Plans Biodiversity Action Planning The Nanneella Bushland Reserve, (28ha), Terrestrial Biodiversity Action Planning is a structured approach Environmental Management Plans was completed to identify priority biodiversity features in the region and endorsed by Shepparton Irrigation Region and establish priorities for biodiversity conservation. Implementation Committee. Sites across the Shepparton Irrigation Region have been mapped at the landscape level, surveyed (to assess Wetland Environmental Management Plans habitat quality and bird presence) and data developed on A review of the Brays Swamp Environmental Management aspects of each priority site (e.g. Ecological Vegetation Plan was undertaken, with this review scheduled to be Class, threats, threatened species and flora and fauna). completed in 2009-2010. Recommendations for management are developed in consultation with community to aim to increase Floodplain Ecology Course biodiversity values. A very successful Floodplain Ecology Course was conducted at Moama in November. The course intended The Biodiversity Action Plans provide a way of prioritising to increase participant awareness of aspects of floodplain on-ground works to target the highest priority sites and ecology and dynamics (e.g. vegetation, flooding regimes). promote a strategic landscape plan. Funding was obtained An evaluation conducted after the course indicated that to develop a small trial Biodiversity Action Planning it was very successful and would be a good course to project in the Barmah Landscape Zone to assist with continue into the future. A final report was developed and implementation. This project was successfully completed submitted to the GB CMA. by the end of September.
Floodplain Ecology Course In November 2008, the inaugural Floodplain Ecology Course was run. It was funded through the Expression of Interest process with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA). The aim of the Floodplain Ecology Course was to provide participants with: • A better understanding of the geomorphological, hydrological and ecological processes of floodplain ecosystems; and • An understanding of flooding dynamics and the impact of human use on this process, past and present; and • Examples of practical skills in observation, description, survey/assessment, analysis, interpretation, and assessment, of geomorphological features, hydrological regimes, soils and flora and fauna on floodplains. Paula Tovey (left) & Vanessa Hughes meet “George” the Free-tailed Mastiff Bat, one example of the many mammals that rely on the floodplain for their survival.
The focus of the course was on the floodplains of the Goulburn-Murray system in the region of Echuca/ Moama. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES There were 22 participants in the course from a range of backgrounds and roles including landholders, Local Government, Catchment Management Authorities, Field and Game, Landcare groups, the Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. 14 Mandatory Environmental Monitoring The Superb Parrot is an endangered bird, endemic Mandatory Environmental Monitoring was undertaken to south-eastern Australia and listed under the once in 2008-2009 at the seven allocated sites, four Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and terrestrial sites and three wetland sites. Ongoing Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. In Victoria, it is collation of data is stored for each site, including photo- restricted to the Barmah region where some 200-400 points, species presence and absence and water/macro birds are known to occur (numbers vary in different invertebrate (where applicable) sampling. years according to mortality and breeding success). Whilst large old River Red Gums provide essential breeding sites A review of all the environmental monitoring processes (hollows), the Superb Parrot requires foraging habitat that occur in the Shepparton Irrigation Region was provided by a shrubby understorey in box woodland and initiated this year and will be completed in 2009-2010. secure flight paths to and from the nests. The Superb Parrot Group has been active for many years promoting Modernisation awareness of the foraging needs and encouraging The Environment Program has been involved in landholders to undertake direct seeding and revegetation modernisation projects across the Shepparton Irrigation to supplement available habitat. This has yielded dividends Region. Examples of the activities are highlighted below: for the birds as well, with increasing numbers being • An “Optional Environmental Watering Points for sighted outside the breeding season, indicating more High Value Wetlands” report is being written for the resources are becoming available in the area. Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project. This will be completed in 2009-2010 and will provide As a result of the continuing drought the committee data on alternative water supply points for wetlands decided to focus on direct seeding and remnant across the Shepparton Irrigation Region when the protection in 2008-2009 with 41.6ha fenced and 20ha Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project is ready direct seeded; the remainder ripped ready for planting to rationalise that part of the irrigation infrastructure in 2010. In addition 17 people participated in the annual that may currently provide a supply point to these population census of Superb Parrots in the Barmah area. wetlands; The census located some 180 birds which is slightly down • The Reedy Swamp Environmental Watering Plan on 2007-2008 but there were reports of large flocks is currently being written. This plan will assist with feeding on crops beyond the bird count range. The official the delivery of water to wetlands via channels and count for the year (by all observers) recorded 315 birds, surface water management systems and highlight a slight increase from 2007–2008. the issues that may arise from decommissioning or rationalising irrigation channels in these areas. The high attendance of 42 members at the Annual General meeting warmly received keynote speaker Elisa Landscape Links Tack’s report on her PhD work on the bush stone curlew. The Environment Program has been assisting the The Superb Parrot Project Group continues their long Goulburn Valley Environment Group in developing term commitment to work on habitat protection and the Landscape Links project. This will encourage development. planting of native vegetation on channels that are to be decommissioned as part of the implementation of Threatened Species Recovery Plan the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, to implementation and monitoring create and enhance links of native vegetation across the The Department of Sustainability and Environment landscape. An information kit for use by landholders and undertake a range of activities on behalf of the consultants was developed. Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee to implement actions recommended in recovery plans for Biodiversity terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Written by Tim Barlow, GB CMA; Shelagh Kurmi, Trust During 2008-2009, this work included monitoring for Nature; Filippa Schapper, Superb Parrot Project populations of flora species including Mueller’s Daisy ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Group and Rolf Weber, Department of Sustainability and (Brachyscome muelleroides), Bald-tip Beard-orchid (Calochilus richiae), Nagambie Swamp Leek-orchid Environment (Prasophyllum hygrophilum), Red Swainson-pea (Swainsona plagiotropis), Slender Darling-pea (Swainsona murrayana), Turnip Copperburr (Sclerolaena napiformis) 15 and Ridged Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum porcatum). The There was no successful fledging recorded for Brolga lack of effective rainfall continued to decimate the orchid (Grus rubicunda) in 2008-2009. Young at foot were populations and any leaves that did appear were soon recorded at Murchison in January 2009 but were absent withered. in February 2009. A nest with two eggs was recorded at Moodies Swamp in August 2008 but young birds were not In addition to annual monitoring, propagation trials observed in September 2008 and October 2008 despite and fencing to protect sites from inadvertent damage searches (Environmental Water Allocation monitoring). were implemented. Seed of Red Swainson-pea, Slender All other known breeding sites were dry, including re- Darling-pea, and Turnip Copperburr has been collected use dams. Similarly no breeding was recorded for the and propagated at the Euroa Arboretum. Seed of Turnip threatened Egrets or Bitterns because the wetlands were Copperburr, Ridged Water-milfoil, and Slender Water- dry. milfoil (Myriophyllum gracile) was also provided to the National Herbarium of Victoria for long term storage and Permanent Habitat Protection (Trust for propagation in the Victorian Millennium Seedbank Project. Nature) Trust for Nature is a not-for-profit Statutory The milfoils responded to the autumn-winter delivery Organisation whose charter is to place conservation of an environmental water allocation to Kinnairds and covenants on land of high conservation value. Covenants Moodies Swamps in 2008 that produced the largest are entered into voluntarily and the conditions and future known occurrence of Slender Water-milfoil in Victoria. management regimes for the covenant are negotiated together by the landholder and Trust for Nature. This Ex-situ propagation trials advanced slightly with a ensures that the conservation goals for the land are successful germination of Bald-tip Beard-orchid seed consistent with the landholders’ future wishes for that that was sown with fungi from Purple Beard-orchid parcel. The establishment of these conservation covenants (Calochilus robertsonii). Unfortunately we were unable to contributes substantially to the GB CMA targets for raise the seedlings to become nursery plants. This work improved vegetation quality. was done at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. . During 2008-2009, Trust for Nature negotiated the Taxonomic work at the National Royal Botanic Gardens permanent protection of 24ha of significant bushland in Canberra confirmed the limited distribution of our and wetland across the Shepparton Irrigation Region, local Prasophyllum species with new species descriptions including the negotiation of the purchase of one property published for specimens provided by the Department of of 19ha for addition to the Broken Boosey Catchment Sustainability and Environment from Chesney Vale and Management Network and one property of 36ha Balmattum. for addition to the Lower Goulburn River National Park. Numerous properties were visited, involving the Local monitoring of Grey-crowned Babblers has indicated assessment of several hundred hectares of remnant an apparent loss of groups south of the Rushworth- vegetation and the provision of management advice, which Murchison Road. One out of the nine groups remaining will hopefully translate into permanent protection in the does not look good and is consistent with the decline future. from other small colonies. A review of the Grey-crowned Babbler Action Statement was completed to the stage Trust for Nature staff undertook management planning where it may proceed to public comment. visits to five properties in the 2008-2009 year totalling 69ha. They also continued to be actively involved in the Broken Boosey Catchment Management Network and the Kinnairds Wetland Management Committee. In addition, a number of presentations were made to local government and community groups by Trust for Nature ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES staff.
16 Farm Program it upgraded to reflect modernisation works on the ground. These plans were able to provide the irrigator Written by David Lawler, Department of Primary with options and the costs associated with proposed Industries works and justify requests to Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project for appropriate financial assistance. Program goal: To reduce groundwater accessions, soil Whole Farm Plans were prepared for seven horticultural salinisation and waterlogging on farms. properties covering 306ha and 230 broad acre properties over 19,622ha. Over 80.2 percent of the irrigated area of Activities and achievements the Shepparton Irrigation Region has now been ‘whole farm planned’. A total of 73 plans were completed in areas Whole Farm Plan Project covered by Local Area Plans, covering 5,863ha. The number of new or updated Whole Farm Plans in the Shepparton Irrigation Region increased significantly In 2008-2009 there were 359 Whole Farm Plans in the 2008-2009 year. Irrigators took advantage of the commenced, which is the highest number of plans 85 percent rebate to develop a new or update existing commenced since the Whole Farm Plan project started. plans to design on-farm irrigation delivery in line with This eclipsed the previous highest of 280 plans in 2001- Goulburn-Murray Water upgraded infrastructure. 2002.
A record total of 237 new Whole Farm Plans were Grants totalling $1,151,818 (excluding GST) were paid completed covering an area of 19,928ha during 2008- to landowners for preparing their Whole Farm Plans. 2009. In addition 10 Modernised Existing Whole Farm This was above the budgeted target of $1,000,000. Plans were prepared covering 548ha. Landowners paid $1,494,896 (excluding GST), for the preparation of these plans. A total of 112 grants were The number of Whole Farm Plan Incentive applications paid to landowners for having their plans certified by was much higher than the average levels in past years. Local Government, resulting in 45 percent of all plans This included preparing plans on properties for the first completed in 2008-2009. time and those that had had a previous plan but needed ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Location of Whole Farm Plans prepared since 1987 to 30 June 2009 17 Irrig Irrig Irrigation No Area Grant Grant Total Cost Financial Plan Area Area Area (ha) GST Cost GST Assess Cert WFP WFP % (ha)
Murray Valley 855 64624 $1,760,001 $73,131 $3,645,806 $146,923 15 219 83% 77886
Murray Valley: 21 1136 $82,098 $6,912 $168,693 $13,935 0 1 32% 3524 Horti Rochester: 183 18173 $510,230 $25,772 $1,074,213 $50,691 2 21 88% 20570 SIR-GB Rochester: 523 31293 $843,653 $36,625 $1,752,406 $73,575 3 65 76% 41142 SIR-NC Central 1136 73570 $2,138,946 $92,172 $4,532,474 $179,005 24 325 64% 115009 Goulburn Central Goulburn: 52 2458 $166,249 $6,930 $357,666 $14,250 0 5 54% 4582 Horti Shepparton 509 30223 $913,166 $46,209 $1,799,479 $87,023 13 206 61% 49146
Shepparton: 117 3537 $182,508 $5,019 $368,875 $10,244 4 3 71% 4994 Horti
GB CMA Div 83 9018 $233,228 $8,483 $502,269 $14,299 2 4
TOTAL 3479 234032 $6,830,078 $301,252 $14,201,881 $589,945 63 849 73.9% 316853
Overall totals of Whole Farm Plans prepared per Irrigation Areas 1987 – 30 June 2009 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Cumulative Whole Farm Plans totals 1986-1987 to 2008-2009 18 Drainage Re-use System Project Grants totalling $739,884 (excluding GST) were paid Irrig Irrig to landowners for installing Drainage Re-use Systems. Irrigation No Area Grant Grant Total Cost Financial Plan Area Area A total of 66 Drainage Re-use Systems were installed Area (ha) GST Cost GST Assess Cert WFP WFP as part of the Drainage Re-use System Project in 2007- This was above the budgeted target of $650,000. When % (ha) 2008 servicing 3,643ha. This was an increase on the 48 broken down into the three components of the grant, systems installed in 2007-2008 and an increase in the area expenditure was as follows: $292,583 for earthworks, Murray Valley 855 64624 $1,760,001 $73,131 $3,645,806 $146,923 15 219 83% 77886 serviced 2,703ha. $341,876 for pumps and motors, and $105,425 for electricity. Landowners paid $1,701,075 (excluding GST) Murray Valley: 21 1136 $82,098 $6,912 $168,693 $13,935 0 1 32% 3524 Horti Since the project started in 2001-2002, a total 12.94 for the installation of the Drainage Re-use Systems on percent of the irrigated area of the Goulburn Broken their properties. Rochester: 183 18173 $510,230 $25,772 $1,074,213 $50,691 2 21 88% 20570 component of the Shepparton Irrigation Region is SIR-GB serviced by a Drainage Re-use System installed as part of There was an increase in the average grant payment from Rochester: 523 31293 $843,653 $36,625 $1,752,406 $73,575 3 65 76% 41142 this project. $10,453 in 2007-2008 to $11,210 in 2008-2009. SIR-NC Central 1136 73570 $2,138,946 $92,172 $4,532,474 $179,005 24 325 64% 115009 A total of 21 Drainage Re-use Systems were installed in Goulburn areas covered by a Local Area Plan servicing over 1,198ha. Central Goulburn: 52 2458 $166,249 $6,930 $357,666 $14,250 0 5 54% 4582 Horti Some interesting facts relating to Drainage Re-use Systems installed in 2008-2009 were: Shepparton 509 30223 $913,166 $46,209 $1,799,479 $87,023 13 206 61% 49146 • The average time taken from application to payment Shepparton: of a grant following installation was 17 months; 117 3537 $182,508 $5,019 $368,875 $10,244 4 3 71% 4994 Horti • The average grant payment was 43.50 percent of the total costs. GB CMA Div 83 9018 $233,228 $8,483 $502,269 $14,299 2 4
TOTAL 3479 234032 $6,830,078 $301,252 $14,201,881 $589,945 63 849 73.9% 316853 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Location of Drainage Reuse Systems installed 19 Automatic Irrigation Project Local Area Plans A total of 14 grants have been paid as part of the Local Area Plan groups throughout the Goulburn Broken Automatic Irrigation Project covering an automated area Catchment had a productive year in 2008-2009. Highlights of 560ha. included the extended number of groups and schools involved in the Local Area Plan environmental education A total of three systems were completed in areas covered initiatives as well as the continued revegetation and by Local Area Plans, covering 234ha. rehabilitation work completed through major projects including the Cornella Creek Restoration, Crouching Emu Over 2.6 percent of the irrigated area of the Shepparton Revegetation Project and the Muckatah Surface Water Irrigation Region has now had an Automatic Irrigation Management System Revegetation. System installed with assistance from this project. The total number of Automatic Irrigation Systems completed The 2008-2009 year has also seen developments in the in the GB CMA area with assistance from the incentive functioning of the Local Area Plan groups with a number scheme is 142, automating 8,238ha. of groups choosing to combine with Landcare Groups and meet less often. This may be a result of the pressures Farm Irrigation Assessments: Central from the on-going drought and water supply issues. Goulburn Channel 4 Members of the Farm Team started Farm Irrigation Tackling Pests Program Assessments in September 2008 as part of work with the Future Flow Alliance. This work was with landowners Information supplied by Greg Wood, Department of in the Central Goulburn No 4 channel system. Other Primary Industries Irrigation Surveyor and Designer Groups were doing the same work in other channels in the Shepparton and During 2008-2009, the pest plant component of the Central Goulburn Irrigation Areas. Future Flow provided Department of Primary Industries Invasive Pests Program 234 irrigators with 545 outlets that were to be assessed continued to focus on the management of new and by the Farm Team. These assessments were finished in emerging species and species that are known to present a May 2009 and Future Flow commended the Department high threat to regional assets. of Primary Industries Farm Team on their capabilities. State Prohibited Weeds are considered to be the highest Farm Irrigation Assessments East Goulburn priority for the program and three State Prohibited Main Channel 7 and 8 species are known either to be present or have been Future Flow Alliance requested the Farm Team conduct previously recorded in the Shepparton Irrigation Region. Farm Irrigation Assessments in the East Goulburn Main All sites are inspected each year and where infestations Channel No 7. These commenced in March 2009. This are located, they are treated by registered contractors. was a different experience to the work along Central The aim of the program is to eventually eradicate all Goulburn Channel 4 as it included a high number of known infestations from the region, and ultimately, lifestyle blocks and property owners working off-farm. Victoria. The assessments also included some properties on the No 8 and No 9 channels. This work was completed in Activities and achievements June 2009. The range of activities and achievements included the Farm Irrigation Assessment Information Kit following: An Information Kit was put together for use by the Farm • Thirty-nine State Prohibited Weeds infestations Team when conducting Farm Irrigation Assessments were assessed across the catchment (including the to explain to landholders about various aspects of the dryland area) and where necessary, treated by the modernisation process. The kit included information Department of Primary Industries; ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES about unbundling and delivery share, the irrigation • Ivy-leaf Sida infestations have been detected in the assessment process, the new meters, how to use and read Undera area; the new meters, and information about the Shepparton • Over the past two months 3-400 Direction Notices Irrigation Region Implementation Strategy projects. The were issued which have resulted in seven Penalty 20 kit has been well received by landholders. Infringement Notices ($440) for non-compliance; Irrigation Drainage Memorandum of • Stocks of the State Prohibited Weed “Mexican Understanding Feathergrass” have been found in retail and wholesale Work continued on the development of a Catchment outlets; and Asset Operation Plan (CAOP) for the whole of the • The Blackberry extension program was accelerated Shepparton Irrigation Region and the Barmah-Nathalia in the Shepparton Irrigation Region during the year; sub-catchment. • New gorse infestations were located in the Toolamba area and eradication will be undertaken via the Victorian Irrigation Drainage Program Department of Primary Industries “satellite gorse Review project”; The Department of Sustainability and Environment • Program staff are working with municipalities to treat undertook a review of the statewide drainage program roadside pests. strategy. The review supported the extensive work done to date and recognised the continued need for active Surface Water Management Program management of irrigation drainage in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. Wider public consultation of Written by Rebecca Pike, Department of Primary the strategic direction is to be undertaken next year with Industries and Sam Green, Goulburn-Murray Water the new interim strategy, which will support continued government investment in irrigation drainage, to be Program Goal: By 2020, improve the health of natural released towards the end of 2009-2010. resources and reduce the risk to investment in the Shepparton Irrigation Region, by providing an appropriate surface water Whole Farm Plan Referrals management service in areas where the total benefits, Whole Farm Plans are referred to Goulburn-Murray including economic, social and environmental benefits exceed Water by the local shires under Section 52 or Section 55 the costs. of the Planning and Environment Act. A total of 144 plans were referred to Goulburn-Murray Water with a number Activities and achievements being amended plans caused by consultation regarding modernisation of Goulburn-Murray Water assets. Primary Surface Water Management highlights Co-ordination and Support for Community • A total equivalent length of 5.2km was constructed Surface Water Management Systems which included works on Muckatah Drain 8, Targets Stanhope Stage 2 and Murray Valley Drain 11 Stage • Provide technical support for the Community Surface 1A & 1B; Water Management Program as required. • Goulburn-Murray Water consultants designed an equivalent length of 13km of drain, and works Progress continued, or commenced, on a number of Drainage • Attendance and input at various meetings including Course Declarations; Community Surface Drainage Co-ordinating • A Wetland Management Plan for both Greens Swamp Committee, Technical Liaison Groups, Community and the depression upstream of the swamp within Surface Water Management Systems Operating the Murray Valley Drain 11 catchment was released Group; for comment in final draft form; • Continual monitoring of design guidelines; • The design of Mosquito 1/36 was amended to include • Provision of technical advice to the Department a private wetland at the end of two Community of Primary Industries Surface Water Management Surface Water Management Systems; Officers and Community Surface Water Management • The Mosquito 36 design was extended to better Groups; service the Downer Rd community drainage scheme. • Goulburn-Murray Water oversaw the construction of ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Muckatah 4P, including 1.24km of Goulburn-Murray Water managed CSWMS and 2.11km of flexible spur;
21 • Transfers of CSWMS from the City of Greater Water Management System and has been identified Shepparton to Goulburn-Murray Water has as instrumental in the Muckatah 4P proceeding to progressed (Ardmona 1BP, Ardmona 1CP and construction; Ardmona 7P); finalisation of these is expected in • The “Boring Under Trees Policy” was implemented 2009-2010. for the first time on the Muckatah 4P Community Surface Water Management System. Rather than Community Surface Water Management remove three large Grey Box trees, or divert Incentives the system around them, the drain was instead Targets bored underneath which provided benefits to the • Construction of 5.95km of Community Surface environment as well as the landholders involved. Water Management System; A case study has been prepared comparing the • Initiation, Survey and Design of a number of efficiencies of this method which has proven that in Community Surface Water Management Systems. this instance it was the most cost effective option.
Progress Increasing Water Use Efficiency through • Initiation of Community Surface Water Management Strategic Water Harvesting – Drainage System: Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme o Muckatah 18P Scheme background The Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme • Survey and Design of Community Surface Water (DNRIS) was introduced in April of 1998 to encourage Management Systems in progress: landowners to construct strategically located storages o Muckatah 4/8P (drainage nutrient removal systems) to collect and use o Muckatah 22P regional drainage water. The water and nutrients collected o Muckatah 2/3P and 3/8P. can be used productively and are not lost to areas of the catchment where they may cause problems such as • The Survey and Design of the Mosquito 8/25P blue green algae blooms. These storages can increase Community Surface Water Management System was the volume of water available to the landowner and completed. The next step is for landholders to vote reduce the amount of nutrient rich water entering our on whether to proceed to construction; waterways. • Construction completed of the Muckatah 2/8P Community Surface Water Management System with Targets - long term: a total length of 1.95km. This system was constructed • Increase the amount of nutrient-rich water diverted under a Water Act agreement; from regional drains and used productively on farm • Construction completed of the Muckatah 4P by 25 percent; Community Surface Water Management System • Capture 10,000ML of water savings from regional and which is 4km in length. The main section of this farm drainage to be used for maximum public benefit; system will be Goulburn-Murray Water managed • Improve irrigation management across 50 percent of with the flexible spur managed under a Water Act the newly drained Shepparton Irrigation Region in agreement. the next five years; • Contribute significantly to the Goulburn Broken Policy implementation Water Quality Strategy goal of reducing phosphorous • A change in Community Surface Water Management and nitrogen drain loads by 50 percent by 2016 guidelines to allow flexibility on the ends of through decreasing the amount of poor quality spurs, known as the ‘flexible spurs’ option, was (high nutrient/salt) water leaving the catchment and implemented for the first time with the construction flowing into environmentally sensitive waterways. of the Muckatah 4P. This change allowed a section ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES of the system, running through the second last property, to be of a lower design standard, yet provides the same level of service, as the ‘standard’ section of drain. This helped to reduce the costs and 22 land required to construct the Community Surface Targets - short term: The past financial year saw almost no high-flow drain The following short term targets are realistic for the diversion for landowners with storages constructed Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme and would under the Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive be reviewed in 2010-2011, as part of the Surface Water Scheme. Sampling and analysis of salt and phosphorous Management Program review; concentrations of water held in storage was not • Construct two storages per year, providing for undertaken, as the majority of the storages were dry. One 300ML of drainage diversion. Additional applications Murray Valley high-flow diverter pumped small volumes can be managed as expressions of interest, dependant (30ML) during the year. Generally, this water had not been on funding and expiry of current applications; utilised on farm, being lost to evaporation. • Continue to record actual annual diversion volumes and estimate volumes of phosphorus and salt captured by testing storage water quality annually; Volume Constructed Salt saved Phosphorous • Continue with extension and media activities Water Services Area diverted* capacity (ML) (tonnes) saved (tonnes) promoting the incentive, specifically targeting the (ML) priority catchments as appropriate. Central Goulburn 1,968 0 n/a n/a
Progress Murray Valley 2,590 30 n/a n/a The drought conditions experienced in the Shepparton Irrigation Region over the past few years have resulted Shepparton 1,295 0 n/a n/a in below average water allocations and drain flows. This Rochester 150 n/a n/a n/a has put economic pressure on irrigators and has resulted (GB CMA Section) in a reduced uptake of the Drainage Nutrient Removal Total 6,003 30 n/a n/a Incentive Scheme. Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme System Monitoring In 2008-2009, no storages were constructed under Note: *Volume diverted data (as at September 2009) was not obtained from the Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme. The all 34 storage’s, therefore figures are not exact for each Water Services Area * 2008-2009 target was two storages constructed. One application was carried over into 2008-2009 however this expired and was not renewed. One new application was Other project team activities approved - this will be carried over into 2009-2010. Following an economic review of the Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme that was undertaken in Since the scheme commenced the total number of high 2007-2008 a revision of short term targets based on flow storages built in the Shepparton Irrigation Region the factors identified below took place and resulted in with assistance from the incentive scheme is 34, with a new short term targets identified at the beginning of this storage capacity of 6,003ML. report.
Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme Key issues currently affecting the application of the Results 2008-2009 Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme include: Reduced funding availability for salinity based works At the completion of the 2008-2009 financial year, • (medium to long term); the majority of landowners with systems constructed Low levels of landowner economic security (short to with the assistance of the Drainage Nutrient Removal • medium term); Incentive Scheme were contacted to determine the Drought (short to medium term); volume of water collected and used for irrigation during • Improved on-farm water use efficiency and the year. • management (long term); • Climate change (long term - undefined); • Modernisation of irrigation infrastructure (long term ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES - emerging).
23 Expected Actual Total Cost - Month No Total (Ex ML No Grants Total Grants Total ML GST Landowner Const Grants GST) constructed const Paid Paid (Ex GST) constructed (estimates) July 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Aug 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Sep 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Oct 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Nov 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Dec 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Jan 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Feb 1 $30,000 $30,000 200 ML 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML March 0 $0 $30,000 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML April 0 $0 $30,000 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML May 1 $30,000 $60,000 200 ML 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML June 0 $0 $60,000 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Totals 2 $60,000 $60,000 400 ML 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML
Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme Grant Expenditure 2008-2009
Geographic Information Systems Conclusion This year has seen the continued use of Geographic Interest in the Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Information Systems (GIS) to map where storages have Scheme remained low during 2008-2009, primarily been constructed within the Shepparton Irrigation due to the ongoing drought conditions. The Drainage Region in comparison to Water Services boundaries Nutrient Removal Incentive Scheme is likely to remain and Local Area Plan boundaries. At present 10 of the 34 as a low priority for irrigators until the drought ends, constructed storages fall into Local Area Plan boundaries. farm businesses are under less financial stress and the frequency of high-flow events in the drainage network increases. Actual Since 1998 Local Area Plan ML of Total Cost Environmental Assessment for Primary and Number storage cost GST Community Surface Water Management Bunbartha/ Systems Karimba/ 2 180 $30,279.54 $3,027.95 Project Target Zeerust • Provide support, comment, reporting and report Nathalia & 4 1050 $80,000 $8,000 compilation from an environmental assessment District - - - perspective to the Primary and Community Surface Cornella 0 Water Management Program and the Groundwater - - - Dhurringile 0 and Salt Management Program, as required. Invergordon 1 150 $20,000 $2,000 - - - Nanneella 0 Primary Program progress Muckatah/ 2 140 $39,561.69 $3,956.17 • No detailed Environmental Assessments were Naring completed; - Wyuna 1 250 $20,000 • Murray Valley 11 Environmental Protection and TOTAL 10 1770 $189,841.23 $16,984.12 Biodiversity Conservation Act Referral issue was re- addressed; Drainage Nutrient Removal Incentive Schemes in Local Area Plan areas ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES • Murray Valley 11 Alignment inspections were undertaken over four visits; • Stanhope Depression – Reviewed aquatic vegetation for a constructed wetland; • Deakin 16 – Revision of native vegetation removal 24 exemptions; • Brays Swamp Management Plan – s173 Clause • 3.6GL was diverted from monitored drains compared Expected Actual included into the Management Plan document. to 3.1GL outfalled, that is: 54 percent of the potential Total Cost - Month No Total (Ex ML No Grants Total Grants Total ML GST Landowner drain outfall was diverted (compared with Water Const Grants GST) constructed const Paid Paid (Ex GST) constructed (estimates) Community Program progress Quality Strategy target of 50%); July 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Initial Environmental Assessments • Prepared annual report on nutrient export from Aug 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML • No initial Environmental Assessments were irrigation drains (refer to the Monitoring Program Sep 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML completed. report for details of nutrient export from irrigation Oct 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML drains). Nov 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML Community Surface Water Management Planning Works Dec 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML • Mosquito 8/25P – Negotiations undertaken for Groundwater and Salt Management Program Jan 0 $0 $0 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML the retention of a melaleuca planting adjacent to Feb 1 $30,000 $30,000 200 ML 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML CSWMS; Written by James Burkitt and Stephen Feiss, Goulburn- March 0 $0 $30,000 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML • Muckatah 2/3P and 3/8P – four landholder and Murray Water April 0 $0 $30,000 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML meetings attended; May 1 $30,000 $60,000 200 ML 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML • Muckatah 4P: Final alignment inspections completed Program Goal: To, where possible and justified, protect June 0 $0 $60,000 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML over three visits; and reclaim the Shepparton Irrigation Region’s land and Totals 2 $60,000 $60,000 400 ML 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0 ML • Case Study: A case study for “Boring Under Native water resources from salinisation through management of the Vegetation” policy was developed after construction Region’s groundwater. of the CSWMS was completed. Team Leader Report Modernisation The continuing dry again saw a reduction in accessions Staff assisted the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal to the shallow groundwater system/Upper Shepparton Project works by undertaking assessments on priority Formation. This led to a Mid Term Review of the Sub wetlands across the Shepparton Irrigation Region. surface Drainage Program Research & Investigation Strategic Plan. The review identified changes to the Staff had involvement in the Environmental Protection drivers which influence the direction of the Sub surface and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) reports for Drainage Program Research & Investigation Strategic Plan the Shepparton Irrigation Area and the Northern Victoria Program and revised the Sub-surface Drainage Program Irrigation Renewal Project. focus to: a) Salt management Irrigation Drain Management • Generation Written by Greg Smith, Goulburn-Murray Water • Mobilisation • Impacts Targets b) Environment • Drain Management and Water Quality Coordination c) Groundwater management (harmonisation of nuisance - Support Irrigation Areas; input to Drainwatch and and resource) IDMOU; participate in working groups. d) Communication of integrated delivery
Progress Other outcomes of the review were: • Supported Irrigation Areas in drain diversion • To change the name of the program to the management; input to Drainwatch community ‘Groundwater and Salt Management Program’; monitoring program; and participated in working • Amendments to the Programs vision, mission and groups; objectives; • The total metered volume diverted from drains was • Initiation of the following new and critical projects: 3.5GL, and it was estimated that a further 0.7GL • Understanding water balance changes in the was diverted through unmetered drainage diversion Shepparton Irrigation Region; installations. High flow diversions accounted for less • Investigation of salt mobilisation processes and ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES than 0.5GL of the total diverted; impacts for various Climate Change Scenarios; • Develop a strategic approach to meeting the key environmental feature objectives of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Groundwater and Salt Management Program. 25 Other highlights of the program were: An approach for targeting applicants in the remnant high risk areas has also been developed. Millewa High Value Environmental Feature Groundwater Investigation Environmental assets across the Shepparton Irrigation Region are at threat from remobilisation of large near surface salt stores from elevated groundwater levels. Although groundwater levels have fallen across the region, locally this threat remains high.
Environmental assets were priority ranked for investigation based upon on-site habitat quality assessments conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and groundwater salinity data. The Millewa Conservation Nature Reserve was ranked the highest priority site for further investigation which were undertaken so as to sufficiently well define the threat to develop and implement management options. A salinity control pumpsite Investigations undertaken at the reserve included drilling, gamma logging, down-hole electromagnetic logging and soil sampling.
The investigation delineated a large salt store at the reserve above groundwater and provided information for understanding spatial and temporal groundwater level changes at the reserve. Groundwater levels at and near the reserve vary with changing pedology (soil attributes), climate and land-use and these factors influence current and future threat of a persistent elevated groundwater level. Groundwater is currently at approximately three meters depth within the reserve.
Management options developed included groundwater pumping and facilitation of land-use change. Ongoing monitoring of both groundwater and salinity threat and plant health has been proposed with defined trigger levels for implementing an appropriate management option if reached. The level of service required to protect this asset was determined.
New Prioritisation Process for Private Groundwater Pumping Program A new approach to prioritise implementation works using rolling five year watertable behaviour as the basis for determining risk from salinity was developed. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES The approach includes giving priority to high value environmental assets and group investigations in high risk areas.
26 August 2008 Watertable map
Given the challenging circumstances, the Groundwater Private Groundwater Pumps and Salt Management Program has been able to continue Demand for the Private Groundwater Pumping Program to implement planned works and adapt its programs to in both the Farm Exploratory Drilling Scheme and meet the requirements of key stakeholders. Capital Grants programs was steady in 2008-2009. The Pasture Farm Exploratory Drilling Scheme completed Activities and achievements 43 investigations with one being declared successful and another 10 identified as having potential to be public High Value Environmental Features Project pump sites. There were three investigations still in Drilling and soil testing was completed to establish a trial progress and 11 properties on the high priority waiting pump site at the Millewa Nature Conservation Reserve. list.
Public Groundwater Pumps There was no demand for horticulture Farm Exploratory Due to the continuation of drought conditions, the Drilling Scheme investigations. public salinity control groundwater pumping program concentrated on consolidating outstanding works with Capital Grants for Sub-surface Drainage no new works initiated. This approach saw one previously Four new groundwater pumps were installed along constructed pump handed over in 2008-2009 (CG 24) with six being upgraded under the pasture private ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES but was not rated for area served. The total of 48 public groundwater pumping program which are estimated to salinity control groundwater pumps are protecting protect an additional 1020ha. This brings the cumulative more than 9,800ha. Two feasibility investigations were total of pumps to 370 which includes 297 new pumps and 73 existing pumps upgraded. The overall Plan targets completed but will not progress to a new pump site. 27 to the end of 2008-2009 were for 287 new installations horticultural protection via pumps and tile drains. The and 67 upgrades to protect approximately 36,000ha. removal of the option for private pump disposal means The cumulative area protected from the works to date that there is a pending action to review the modelling is estimated to be 39,000ha. There are 10 new pumps outcomes to revise the overall salinity impacts in the near currently in the process of being installed and five pumps future. in the process of being upgraded. Committee support Strategic Plan support The Groundwater and Salt Management Program The Groundwater and Salt Management Program continues to provide significant support to the Research and Investigation Strategic Plan Annual Report Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation for 2007-2008 was produced. Management and support Strategy in the form of: were provided as required. A Mid Term Review of the Plan • Support, participation and engagement of Shepparton was undertaken and we continued to use the Grouped Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy Salt Projects to coordinate Groundwater and Salt committees and working groups; Management Program inputs to strategic plan projects • Input to funding bids and various forms of Annual that relate to salt management. reporting requirements (eg: GB CMA, Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategic Plan implementation Strategy, Murray Darling Basin Salinity Management The key Groundwater and Salt Management Program Strategy – Victoria); Research and Investigation Strategic Plan outputs for • Budget planning and management; 2008-2009 were: • Capacity building of staff and resources; • The completion of two projects: • Strategic Planning.; o ‘Review Potential Impact of Projected Changes in • Coordination of Local Government funding Groundwater Levels and Salinity’; contributions to the Groundwater and Salt o ‘Procedures Manual for Salt Administration and Management Program (Moira, Campaspe and City of Reporting in the GB CMA’; Greater Shepparton).
• New issues were identified via the Mid Term Extension Review and included in the Groundwater and Salt An information kit for the community members of the Management Program Research and Investigation Groundwater and Salt Management Working Group was Strategic Plan. updated and maintained.
Winter/Spring Salt Disposal Management Management and coordination Salt disposal from private shallow groundwater pumps The provision of Groundwater and Salt Management was terminated in 2006-2007. However, until advice is Program management included: received from the Murray Darling Basin Authority on how • Management, Reporting and Program coordination of to manage the removal of private pumps from the Murray the Groundwater and Salt Management Program; Darling Basin Authority and GB CMA Salt Disposal • Ongoing development of business management Registers they will still be included in GB CMA reporting. systems; • Systems for new consultancy agreements; River Murray trigger levels were not reached and • Development and training; therefore no disposal from public salinity control pumps • Management of Occupational Health and Safety was available. requirements for the Groundwater and Salt Management Program. The total salt disposal impacts from the Shepparton Irrigation Region surface and sub-surface drainage works ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES is 3.2 which includes a negative disposal impact from Community Surface Drains and Arterial Drains of -0.6. The salt disposal impact from sub-surface works is 3.8 which includes 1.9EC from public groundwater pumps, 1.7EC from Private groundwater pumps and 0.18EC from 28 Waterways Program Monitoring the ecological response of the wetlands to the delivery of the environmental water has been undertaken Written by Mark Turner and Carl Walters, GB CMA by GB CMA, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Goulburn-Murray Water, Field and Game Program Goal: Protection and enhancement of the Australia and local bird enthusiasts. The Department of environmental, economic, recreational and aesthetic values of Primary Industries has also been trialling a new acoustic the rivers and waterways (stream health). Protection of public monitoring technique that is showing tremendous and private assets from stream-related impacts. promise.
Activities and achievements An Environmental Watering Plan is being developed by the GB CMA with support from the Department Water supply and environmental flows of Primary Industries, and Goulburn-Murray Water to Works and extension ensure that the delivery of environmental water is able to continue following changes to the irrigation system within Between April 2008 and December 2009 over 1000ML the Shepparton Irrigation Area. The development of this of environmental water was delivered to Reedy, Black plan has been done outside of the agreed Northern and Kinnairds Swamps from the Victorian River Murray Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project process but has Flora and Fauna Bulk Entitlement. In addition, 50ML followed the same format to ensure consistency into the of surplus irrigation flows in the Broken Creek were future. opportunistically diverted to Moodies Swamp.
The environmental water: Knowledge • Stimulated the growth and germination of aquatic The GB CMA together with the North East CMA and plants including the threatened River Swamp Wallaby- Goulburn-Murray Water has developed a project to apply grass, Ridged Water-milfoil and Slender Water-milfoil; key outputs from the eWater CRC Toolkit. • Provided habitat for a number of frogs including Common Froglet, Plains Froglet, Spotted Grass Frog, The eWater CRC are undertaking activities to discern Barking Marsh Frog, Pobblebonk, Perons Tree Frog the ecological value and benefits (and disbenefits) of and Painted Burrowing Frog; rewetting off-channel habitats (e.g. terrestrial vegetation, • Attracted a variety of waterbirds including the aquatic vegetation, birds, resident fish, spawning/ threatened Freckled Duck, Australian Shoveller, White recruitment habitats and refuge). Also, the project bellied Sea-eagle, Musk Duck, Glossy Ibis, Latham’s will discern how these assets are affected by potential Snipe, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, changes to the watering of off-channel habitats under Australian Little Bittern and Brolga. Over 3,500 various water supply scenarios. waterbirds were recorded at Reedy Swamp alone including over 1000 Hardhead. The concentration of This project will support eWater and provide knowledge such large numbers of Hardhead is now unusual in for CMAs to manage flows within the major regulated Victoria and is considered to be of state significance. systems. Sixteen bird species were observed breeding at the wetlands including Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, An environmental expert panel was convened by Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Goulburn-Murray Water to advise on Goulburn Swamp Harrier, Whistling Kite, Australian White Ibis, River, Broken River and lower Broken Creek drought Brolga, Musk Duck and Australian Reed Warbler. management issues.
A further 265ML of environmental water has been The 2008-2009 Dry Inflow Contingency Plan was delivered to Reedy Swamp since February 2009 to completed and a draft 2009-2010 Dry Inflow Contingency provide ongoing drought refuge in the catchment. Plan was completed and circulated for comment. Additional environmental water will hopefully be secured ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES for Reedy Swamp to improve the site’s drought refuge benefits through winter and potentially stimulate a large colonial bird breeding event in early spring. 29 Carl Walters and Corey Wilson of the GB CMA
Riparian and in-stream habitat and channel Relationships, partnerships and community capacity form The region was recognised as a leader in waterway Works and extension management through its acceptance of the 2008 Banksia A significant upgrade to the Shepparton Weir Fishway Environmental Foundation Water Category Awards. The took place through the Goulburn Large Scale River vision for the Broken River project has been recognised Restoration Project with an innovative design aimed at in this announcement. providing a variety of flow velocities and depths across the stream to cater for the broad range of native species The delivery of this year’s Drought Employment Program found within the Goulburn River. involved the engagement of many of the catchment partners to assist in the direct supervision of drought Drought Employment Program affected farmers to deliver environmental projects right The Drought Employment program remained the main across the region. Initial project proposals from partners focus with staff and over 80 community participants, were reviewed to ensure co-contribution and joint mainly within the Shepparton Irrigation Region, involved benefits to the region. in work teams or across the catchment. This years’ program was highly successful with major on-ground A joint project with the Department of Sustainability action being achieved. and Environment Crown Land Management has seen the employment of a River Health officer within Crown A significant lateral erosion point on the Goulburn River Land Management to implement improved practices and adjacent to Raftery Road was addressed using a low review crown frontage licences in priority areas prior to flow pipe and a high flow rock chute as a trial to address the 2009 Licence Renewal process. This position has been this problem which is found at many sites on the lower working closely with GB CMA staff to ensure improved Goulburn. management and amended licence conditions are ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES A design was completed for the most significant avulsion implemented where possible as part of the 2009 renewal. risk (the removal of land by flood or sudden change in Funding for this position and additional fund to support watercourse) identified on the Lower Goulburn. The site this role has been sourced through the Department of on You You Creek comprises a significant head cut moving Sustainability and Environment with management through up the creek towards the Goulburn River. the GB CMA. 30 Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring The project will utilise a range of eWater Tools and will and Assessment Program extend into 2009-2010. The Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring and Assessment Program (VEFMAP) evaluates river and Planning and responding ecosystem responses to the delivery of environmental Real time monitoring of the lower Broken Creek system flows. There are eight rivers across Victoria which are commenced in 2008. This information provides up to part of the program including the Broken system and date information on water quality and azolla presence to Goulburn River. Monitoring commenced in 2008 with improve management of the systems. macro-invertebrate monitoring conducted in May 2008 for autumn sampling. Further monitoring was carried The Goulburn Broken Drought Water and River out in, or around, October 2008 of physical habitat, Contingency Planning Group continued to meet on a vegetation, macroinvertebrates (spring sampling) and regular basis to ensure we are ready for potential hazards fish. These monitoring results provide baseline data for to water assets as a result of continuing drought and continuous monitoring of the same sites over a minimum low flows. The group comprises representatives of GB three year time frame. Final Victorian Environmental Flow CMA, Goulburn-Murray Water, Goulburn Valley Water, Monitoring Assessment Program reports (1 x macros, Environment Protection Authority, the Department of vegetation and fish and 1 x physical habitat and form) have Primary Industries and the Department of Sustainability been completed. Additional macroinvertebrate monitoring and Environment. A “GovDex wiki page” has been occurred in Autumn 2009 and further monitoring is established for the Water and River Contingency Planning scheduled for Spring 2009. Meeting Members to allow sharing of documents, management of meetings and keeping contact details up Two monitoring sites have been established in the lower to date. section of the Goulburn River in deep pools to detect water quality issues resulting from dry inflows as soon as Knowledge possible. The site data is available live to enable real time Broken Creek and Broken River Ecological Risk management. Assessments. A management plan was prepared for the lower Cornella This project examined risks to the environmental values Creek. The plan was instigated with the support of of upper Broken Creek and lower Broken River due to the Colbinabbin Local Area Planning Implementation the consistent failure of these waterways to attain State Committee (CLAPIC). Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) water quality objectives for nutrients, dissolved oxygen and Water quality (nutrients) in rivers and turbidity. The areas under investigation were: streams • upper Broken Creek between its origin at Caseys Works and extension Weir and its confluence with Boosey Creek near A Gross Pollutant Trap was installed in Tom Collins Drive, Katamatite; Shepparton in a joint project with the City of Greater • lower Broken River from its confluence with Holland Shepparton. Creek at Benalla, down to its confluence with the Goulburn River at Shepparton.
Relationships, partnerships and community capacity Real Time Water Quality Monitoring – Goulburn Regional agencies supported the hosting of the River Department of Water, Heritage and Arts 2008 Water Using the information gained from the Goulburn River Quality Workshop. The workshop led to a reinvigoration Bathometric Survey, (underwater mapping), two deep of a Water Quality Committee, which involves team pools were targeted to establish real time water quality leaders from the key water quality program areas. monitoring. Deep pools were chosen to monitor water quality in times of reduced or low flows which provide ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Support has been provided for eWater’s Northern critical habitat to species such as Murray Cod. Probes Application Project. The project focuses on the Ovens measuring dissolved oxygen, Electrical conductivity, pH and Goulburn rivers in Northern Victoria and proposes and temperature were installed at three levels and can be to model and report on the likely response of key accessed in real time via a website. ecological indicators to alternative future flow scenarios. 31 Department of Sustainability and Environment Arthur Rylah Institute electro fishing the Goulburn River
Community Waterwatch Thompson and Berrill Landscape Design were engaged The year 2008-2009 saw the continuation of the highly to prepare a Master Plan for the Yielma property, which successful Goulburn Broken Waterwatch program. The is situated within the Barmah Wetland. The Master project, headed by David Hodgkin and his dedicated Plan was prepared on behalf of the Yorta Yorta Nation team from Goulburn Valley Water, continued to be a Aboriginal Corporation. Planning has continued and initial highly valued community based activity and over time has implementation has commenced. closely integrated its activity with on-ground works and The GB CMA continued to support State related activities. Additional community funds were provided to activities to support the river health program. This year enable further training for Waterwatch staff, expansion the focus was on Streamlining and forecasting projects, of adult salinity actions and enhancement of linkages review of RiVERS I and the review of the Victorian River between Regional River Health Strategy and Waterwatch Health Strategy. through the inclusion of Regional River Health Strategy targets into Waterwatch reports, plans and assessment of Implementation outputs water quality results. No. of Activity Threatened species recovery outputs Lower Goulburn Fish Communities Project Alternative watering points (number) 58 The Lower Goulburn Fish Communities Project Bank Stabilisation (kms) 0.25 continued in 2008-2009 with the submission of progress and final year reports. The reports present the findings of Bed stabilisation (kms) 2 boat electro-fishing and larval fish surveys that have been Fencing remnant vegetation (ha) 74 conducted on an annual basis since 2003. The electro- fishing surveys are conducted twice per year (spring and Fencing of River (kms) 86 autumn) to monitor year class strength and allow an Fencing of Wetland 5.5 ongoing assessment of the status of fish populations in the lower Goulburn River. Length of stream open to fish passage (kms) 122 Channel and drain weed management (G-MW DEP) (ha) 827
Community – River Health Riparian Revegetation (ha) 92 The final draft of the RiverConnect Waterway Health Urban stormwater (GPT) (No.) 1 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES Action Plan for the Goulburn through the Shepparton Mooroopna precinct was submitted and communicated Pest plant control (ha) 8170 to all stakeholders involved. Activities such as weed control, erosion issues, frontage management, rubbish dumping and pollution issues were considered a priority 32 for future years. Monitoring Program The 5-year rolling average phosphorus load continued to decline and remained below the target value for Written by Greg Smith, Goulburn-Murray Water reduction of nutrient loads from irrigation drains.
Program Goal: To understand the water quality and A review of the Biological monitoring program (in quantity characteristics of surface drainage and ground water streams near surface drain outfalls) was undertaken and systems. To detect trends in water quality and quantity over concluded that no consistent long-term environmental time and identify areas requiring further investigation. To impact from irrigation drain discharges could be identify progress in achieving catchment strategy targets. determined. As a result the program has been suspended.
Activities and achievements An annual report on nutrient export from irrigation drains was prepared including the following graph Surface water showing estimated Total Phosphorous (TP). Monitoring of surface water management systems for flow and quality continued throughout the year. Flow and Groundwater salinity were continuously monitored while nutrients, Routine bore monitoring, database input and bore suspended solids, turbidity and pH were tested fortnightly. maintenance continued. Analysis of groundwater from a selection of public groundwater pumps also continued. Analysis of all data was undertaken, published and reported to stakeholders. ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Estimated Total Phosphorous loads from irrigation drains
33 Program Support Environmental Management Program People in this program provide services to the community Written by Terry Batey, Department of Primary Industries to protect and enhance bio-diversity within the region and Rachael Spokes, GB CMA primarily on private land. These activities are carried out consistent with the GB CMA priorities. Program Goal: To provide the framework to manage and coordinate the Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Goulburn-Murray Water Program Implementation Strategy. Management Staff provide support to the Catchment Implementation This component of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Strategy by ensuring the coordination of many functions Catchment Implementation Strategy provides an overall including management of existing works and delivery of framework to manage and coordinate delivery of all strategic planning projects. Staff also support promotion programs. Staff in this program provide administrative and communication of Catchment Implementation and technical support to all processes of the Shepparton Strategy objectives through production of annual Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy and reports, performance indicators, media information and partners. contribution to catchment partnerships.
Salinity Program Management, Department Catchment Implementation Strategy of Primary Industries Coordination The Department of Primary Industries, Sustainable This key function ensures that maximum value is gained Irrigated Landscapes-Goulburn Broken Project is critical from the public funds allocated to the Implementation to maintaining ongoing community support, participation Committee and closely monitors the achievements and and confidence in catchment management across the progress of the Catchment Strategy. Shepparton Irrigation Region. The Implementation Committee attracted an integrated The people in the Sustainable Irrigated Landscapes- budget of close to $16 million in 2008-2009. Funding was Goulburn Broken Project have a strong commitment coordinated across some 50 projects and three agencies. to the aims of the Regional Catchment Strategy that is The success of the program requires strong liaison and oversighted by the GB CMA. cooperation between agency staff to ensure works are completed on time and within budget allocations. Community Surface Water Management Program People in the Community Surface Water Management Community Education Program work with landowner communities and Catchment Education and Awareness Grants government agencies to improve regional drainage within The Catchment Education and Awareness Grants the Shepparton Irrigation Region. program has been successfully administered across the Goulburn-Broken Catchment since 1986. It began Farm Team before the Shepparton Salinity Pilot Program Advisory Local Area Planning Committee launched the Shepparton Irrigation Region The people in the Farm Team use innovative processes Land & Water Salinity Management Plan in 1989, and to effectively engage geographically located communities has been embraced by the current, broader, Regional which have been assigned a high priority within the Catchment Strategy introduced by the GB CMA. Shepparton Irrigation Region. The purpose of the Catchment Education and Awareness Sustainable agriculture and water use efficiency Grants program is to encourage non-profit organisations In this program the people work with private landowners to undertake activities that increase community awareness and understanding of salinity related issues in
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES to support development and implementation of sustainable action plans and works using facilitation, the catchment. communication and incentive methods to achieve change. The total available funding for 2008-2009 was $30,000, contributed by the Shepparton Irrigation Region 34 Implementation Committee. Municipal Coordination and an increasing interest in new irrigation technologies. Formal links with Local Government has been a key This poses new opportunities and challenges for the strategy of the Shepparton Irrigation Region since 1989. irrigation research program, which has historically focused This link, through the role of the Municipal Catchment research effort on surface irrigation of perennial pastures. Coordinator supports an effective partnership between the New information is urgently needed to support irrigators municipalities of Greater Shepparton City Council, Shire attempting to further improve water productivity and of Campaspe, Moira Shire Council and the Shepparton adapt to new on-farm irrigation systems while remaining Irrigation Region Implementation Committee. viable businesses.
The Municipal Catchment Coordinator provides a liaison Research effort is also focused on improving our and coordination role to strengthen common ownership understanding of the changes occurring across the and commitment to natural resource management and landscape, why they are occurring, when and where. regional development issues across the Shepparton Research projects include new spatial science methods to Irrigation Region and to facilitate local government capture and map changes in land and water use across the participation in the delivery of the Shepparton Irrigation region. This work is an important source of information for Region Catchment Implementation Strategy and vice versa. regional program managers and policy makers.
Key activities for this reporting period included: Activities and achievements • Continuation of annual Council briefings and Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Linking spatial sciences to Extension – Committee meetings held with each municipality; Shepparton Geographic Information System • Submissions to key local government strategies and Services plans; Background Commencement of a review of the Uniform Planning • The Shepparton Geographic Information System (GIS) Controls for Earthworks in the Shepparton Irrigation project establishes and maintains information systems that Region; support the implementation, monitoring and review of the Engagement of local government in the Irrigation • Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Modernisation program through Landscape Links Strategy. The objectives of this project are to: project and representation on Northern Victoria • Develop a strategic suite of datasets, information Irrigation Renewal Project forums; management tools and expertise applied to the Submissions to the “Modernising Victoria’s Planning • range of land and water management and associated Act” and the “Future Farms: Providing for Victoria’s issues such as nutrient management, environmental Future Rural Land Use” discussion papers. management, regional development, irrigation management and industry support; Research Program • Improve information management, leading to better land and water management policy decisions, more Written by Bruce Gill and Mike Morris, Department of effective targeting of effort and expenditure, and Primary Industries improved effectiveness monitoring.
Program Goal: The overall program goal is to provide sound, Project activities up-to-date science to support the ongoing implementation and The project takes a structured approach to the delivery of evolution of the Shepparton Irrigation Region component of the corporate and local spatial information to the Shepparton Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy. Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy. This has included a number of activities, such as: As the drought and low water allocation years have • The Spatial Sciences team has up-skilled Shepparton continued, there has been a continuing focus on the two Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy key issues of improving the productivity of irrigation water program support staff to the latest GIS package ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES and understanding the changing irrigation landscape. (ArcGIS 9) and developed a training Manual to meet staff needs; Water shortage is driving rapid changes in farming • Development of a tool for use in linking landholders practices. There is a new focus on annual crops and pasture to property and water supply outlets; 35 • The various types of Farm Program Incentives have • Produce information about SSD irrigation on dairy been digitised to facilitate reporting and mapping; farms for irrigators, irrigation service providers, and • Created map documents to help staff easily create irrigation extension and policy programs. spatial documents; • Provide technical support through telephone, email, Project activities site visits and one-on-one support; Sub-surface Drip has maintained pasture production • Provide GIS information to support project and under grazing throughout the 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and Landcare group activities and reporting. 2008-2009 seasons. Pugging issues due to grazing have not occurred. The dry spring of 2006 showed that SSD Achievements and implications can be used to germinate pasture on a medium soil, but Spatial Information Sciences are building capacity for SSD should not be used for pasture establishment on light staff to use the tools to collect data in an efficient and soils. The results have also shown that the performance effective manner and give staff the confidence to create of SSD in achieving uniform spread of water and hence and understand spatial data. pasture growth is strongly influenced by soil structure and water behaviour in that soil. On the medium soil, pasture This project allows Shepparton Irrigation Region production is unaffected by tape spacing or irrigation Catchment Implementation Strategy support staff to frequency, but on the light soil pasture production create spatial products easily, collect data, store the data, decreased as tape spacing increased from 0.6 to 1.0 and easily access it and carry out spatial analysis of that data. 1.4m (see Figure below). This will also improve data quality over time, as well as enable data that might once have been seen only in table Results from these experiments are being used to show format to be presented in more easily understood map how SSD would work in other situations to identify the formats. best combinations of system design and management for different soils. This will ensure the technology is used for Feasibility and sustainability of sub-surface maximum benefit. The implications for catchment level drip irrigation in pasture production management of water and water quality are also being Background considered. Ongoing water shortages and potential future reductions in water supply highlight the need to make best use of A recent desktop economic analysis showed that SSD the available water. Sub-surface drip (SSD) irrigation can for pasture production could be profitable, provided deliver water directly to the plant rootzone and thus that significant improvements in pasture production and reduce potential evaporation, runoff and drainage losses. consumption and water savings are achieved, with the Installation of SSD on dairy farms may also benefit regional grown pasture highly valued. The investment is not wise if water quality by reducing irrigation run-off. However, dairy only water savings will be made. farmers are unlikely to invest in SSD irrigation if they are not confident it can withstand cattle grazing and be Achievements and implications economically viable. The work to date has shown that while sub-surface drip irrigation can maintain pasture production under grazed The project has established two field experiments located conditions, it will not be suitable for every dairy farm. Its on two dairy farms in northern Victoria, testing how SSD success is greatly dependant on the soil of the site. SSD performs on a ‘light’ and a ‘medium’ soil. The experiment will achieve most uniform irrigation and best pasture is testing SSD design (tape spacing) and management growth on duplex soils with low permeability subsoil. (irrigation frequency) on pasture production and the On light soils, gravity drainage beneath the dripper tapes pathways of water and solute movement. allows too much downward movement of water which prevents uniform irrigation, reduces pasture production The three main objectives of this project are to: and leads to inefficient water use as water escapes ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES • Assess the practical and economic feasibility of SSD below the plant root-zone. From an economic viewpoint, irrigation on dairy farms; sufficient gains in pasture production and water savings • Evaluate the economic, environmental and social over conventional irrigation would be needed for it to consequences of SSD irrigation on dairy farms, at both show a positive return on investment. 36 the farm and catchment scales; Spatial variability in pasture production for the different tape spacings at the light soil site, January 2009
Farm Salinity Management (Mt Scobie Partial Initial watertable levels were around one metre. Since Conjunctive groundwater re-use study) 2001-2002 these have declined to below two metres Background in 2006-2007, with heavy pumping and the drought A salinity management system called ‘Partial conjunctive resulting in watertables declining to the current level of groundwater re-use’ has been under investigation at 2.5 to 3 metres. Groundwater salinities have remained Mount Scobie on a commercial dairy farm since 1999. In relatively unchanged across the property except under this system, a groundwater pump protects about 60ha of the trees, where groundwater salinity has increased from the farm by extracting an average of 60ML of 10,000EC 15,000EC (15dS/m) to 20,000EC (20dS/m). The total (10 dS/m) groundwater per year. Of the total pumped salt load redistributed by the groundwater pumping volume of groundwater, approximately 35ML is diluted is approximately 2600 tonnes since 1999, of which with channel water and used on pastures. The other 1600 tonnes was irrigated onto the tree block. Soil 25ML is used undiluted to irrigate a four hectare salt salinities have remained relatively unchanged except in tolerant tree lot established within the area of influence the tree block where they have increased as a result of the pump. of the application of the saline groundwater. Despite this increase in soil salinity, tree growth among the salt The project has undertaken detailed analysis of the tolerant hybrids and species trials has shown good results from the last 10 years to find out how sustainable performance, particularly of the best hybrids species. the practice is and the fate of the average 60 tonnes Achievements and implications per hectare of salt in the groundwater and deposited The overall results of the study indicate that the partial under the trees. The data collected to date has been conjunctive re-use system (Mt Scobie system of salinity analysed to test the main hypothesis ‘that the salt is management) is a viable system of high watertable salinity being concentrated into a high salinity ‘plume’ in the soil management suitable for locations where off-site disposal and groundwater under the tree block and will migrate of groundwater is not an available option. back towards the pump, thus developing a new dynamic equilibrium within the system’. However, due to the From a regional perspective, this system provides lower rainfall, reduced watertable and diminished salinity a potential scenario whereby less salt is mobilised problem now found across the Shepparton Irrigation downstream. It also offers previously hard to protect areas (due to high groundwater salinities) a potential
Region, the study has changed somewhat from the ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES original intent. form of salinity protection, as well as having biodiversity and aesthetic benefits. If watertables rise again, such a Project activities system is a low cost and effective option available to high The major change that has occurred at the site is the salinity areas. decline in watertable levels over the past 10 years. 37 Practice Change Research The research found that the critical landholder issues Written by Fiona Johnson, Helen Murdoch and Brigette were related to landholders whose properties were not Keeble, Department of Primary Industries located adjacent to the backbone. The target for these landholders was unlikely to be met without a package of The Practice Change Research group has undertaken an policy interventions to ensure that enough landholders extensive research program over the past eight years will receive a benefit from changing to the modified with the GB CMA and Shepparton Irrigation Region connection and the cost of changing is low enough so Implementation Committee. The focus of this program that they adopt within the five year timeframe. The is to provide research approaches that support the GB package could include a range of connection options to CMA and their partners to implement irrigation policy generate benefits and financial payments and decision outcomes. We have developed many approaches including support service to reduce the costs. the Policy Choice Framework – to support policy instrument selection, understanding landholder responses The research found that the critical organisational to intervention (both adoption & compliance) and the issues were related to addressing the changes that the organisational implications of policy outcomes. organisations will need to make to ensure they are able to play their role in the implementation of the Northern The Practice Change Research role is threefold: Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project. These changes arise 1. To undertake research projects to inform priority when there is a misalignment between the principles irrigation issues; that underpin the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal 2. To provide technical expertise and advice to Project policy interventions and the organisational regional partners on priorities for the state and principles already in use. The types of changes that could regional irrigation programs; and be required include investment in skill development, 3. To develop research approaches of world standing new structures and procedures; management of a that support our stakeholders to decide how best mismatch of values and the phasing out of now redundant they will achieve the practice change required for competencies. irrigation policy. The research also indicated that the implementation of Irrigation system modernisation continued to be a the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project for priority in 2008-2009 for Practice Change Research. the GB CMA programs and targets are likely to have Researchers continued to apply learnings from previous implications concentrated on the management of: projects, supporting the GB CMA and partners to • Appropriate watering regimes for environmental develop policy responses and policy instruments that features; account for the landholder, organisational and technical • The salinisation of soil and water; implications proposed modernisation changes create. The • Nutrients entering water bodies. achievements of these three focus areas are reported on in detail. In response, the GB CMA and the Sustainable Irrigation Program of the Department of Sustainability and Environment need to invest in understanding the impact Policy Choice Framework of the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project In 2008, the GB CMA and the Sustainable Irrigation on each of these areas of responsibility to ensure the Program of the Department of Sustainability and implementation of the Northern Victoria Irrigation Environment engaged Practice Change Research to apply Renewal Project does not generate unacceptable impacts. the Policy Choice Framework to the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project to: Understanding landholders in an era of regulatory 1. Reveal critical landholder and organisational change issues that may influence the package of policy The Practice Change Research team undertook research ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES interventions aimed at supporting and driving in 2008 to investigate landholder attitudes and the factors decision-making around modernising the irrigation that influence these attitudes to assist in predicting likely infrastructure; responses to modernisation of the irrigation supply 2. Outline the implications for the GB CMA system. 38 programs and targets. The findings of the research confirmed that the enable organisations to share intelligence, align their importance of four critical on-farm irrigation priorities and ensure program quality is maintained. Finally, components (level of service delivery, commandability, given that staff are the primary asset for achieving the negotiating water delivery with other users and service irrigation policy program, and they have specialised skills, a delivery costs) investigated depends very much on soft human resource approach where staff are considered the landholder’s situation; their business needs, where as assets, offered autonomy, responsibility and development they are located on the supply system, and the physical was predicted to be critical. We found many examples contextual options and limitations of their farm. Therefore of this human resource style present both within and if these components are important in decision-making between organisations. it is essential that any intervention, such as system modernisation, take account of these critical variables Spatial Market Segmentation and Healthy to refine and design complementary implementation Landscapes strategies. The research reinforces the difficulties in This project was undertaken in conjunction with staff from designing generalised strategies targeting groups of the Department of Primary Industries Future Farming landholders. The findings support the need for a flexible Systems Research Spatial Sciences group (Andy McAllister and customised program and approach that considers the and Liz Morse-McNabb). The final report for this project benefits and costs for individual landholders and responds was completed in 2009. accordingly. Here is a summary of key findings from the project: Further research was also undertaken in 2009 exploring • An increasing proportion of farmers were participating the responses of landholders to system modernisation in the market over time; in the Macalister Irrigation District. This research builds • An increasing proportion of farmers were trading on the Practice Change Research regional body of temporary water; knowledge in the area of modernisation, which can • Only a very small proportion of farmers traded assist the GB CMA in understanding the generic issues permanent water; for natural resource management, as well as the issues • There is considerable variation in the frequency of particular to the Shepparton Irrigation Region. farmer’s participation in the water market. Frequency ranges from regular (at least annually) to occasional One Policy - different organisational responses (based on seasonal conditions); The GB CMA funded the Department of Primary • Trading behaviour varies considerably amongst Industries Practice Change Research to apply a new farmers. Some farmers were regular sellers of water approach, the Relationship Choice Framework (RCF) whilst others were regular buyers. Relatively few designed to understand how the GB CMA and the farmers were buyers and sellers; Department of Sustainability and Environment Sustainable • Water tended to be traded away from grazing and Irrigation Program manage their relationship to implement mixed farming enterprises to dairy and horticulture irrigation policy in the Shepparton Irrigation Region. We enterprises. This finding is consistent with previous used a case study method to explore the merits of the research about water movement between industries Relationship Choice Framework and it offers insights about and between districts; this specific relationship under study. Revealing why this • We have been able to identify market segments for relationship works well could provide insights for other water trading over time. These segments indicate policies and programs. farmer’s trading behaviour is dynamic over time; • By mapping water trading behaviour we can The case study showed the partnership approach is understand the impact of trade on key environmental fundamental as it enables both parties the required assets. flexibility and assurance to undertake irrigation policy together. Given the complexity of irrigation policy and Findings from this project provide additional detail on water trading and helpful insights into the effects of the associated programs this type of relationship seemed ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES essential. Additionally because both organisations share irrigation system reforms and seasonal conditions on core activities that are critical to their survival, there are water trade. Due to the dynamic nature of water trade risks for both organisations that are minimised because there may be additional benefits for natural resource of the established management responses including managers from re-analysing water trade data using similar methods on an annual basis. committees, structures and planning processes. These 39 APPENDICES
Outputs achieved 2008-2009
Standard threat or impact Shepparton Irrigation Region Output managed Target Achieved % achieved Threat Land and water use practices
Fence terrestrial remnant vegetation (ha) 50 27 53
Fence wetland remnant (ha) 11 467 4,245 Stock grazing (ha = terrestrial; Fence stream/river remnant (ha) 32 1,470 4,550 km = riparian) Off-stream watering (no.) 37 54 146 Binding Management Agreement (license, Section 225 53 24 173, covenant) (ha) Induced Threat Saline water and high watertables
Landform/lasergrading (ha) 7,000 20,476 293
Drain – primary (km) 2 5.5 275
Drain – community (km) 3 5.3 177 Surface water Farm re-use system (no.) 44 66 151 Drain – additional water diverted from regional 200 0 0 drains (ML) Irrigation systems – improved (ha) 7,500 21,083 281
New groundwater pumps – public (no.) 1 1 100 New groundwater pumps – private (new and Sub-surface water 12 11 92 upgrade no.) Volume water pumped (ML) 1,400 1,794 128 Nutrient-rich & turbid Stormwater management projects (no.) 2 1 50 water & suspended solids In-stream and near-stream Bed and bank protection actions (km) 1 2 200 erosion Weeds - aquatic weeds controlled/eradicated (km) 10 19 187 Weed invasion Targeted infestations of weeds in high priority areas 4,090 8,952 219 covered by control programs (ha) Area of high priority fox infested land covered by Pest animals control programs (ha) Impact Revegetation - plant natives within or next to Habitat loss - terrestrial 125 131 105 remnants (ha) Fish barrier removal (no.) 0 1 100 APPENDICES Habitat loss – in-stream Establish SEAR (Significantly Enhanced Aquatic 2 50 2,500 Refugia) (no.) Habitat loss – Threatened Threatened Species Recovery Plan and Action 7 7 100 species Statements (no. projects) 40 Planning Whole Farm Plans (no.) 207 247 119 targets willnotbemetuntilapproximately 2030(ratherthan2020asforecast inthe1990SIRLWSMP). Region Landand Water SalinityManagementPlan(SIRLWSMP). At thecurrent rateofinvestment implementation The levels ofgovernment fundinghave declinedinreal termssincetargetswere Irrigation setinthe1990Shepparton Authority SalinityRegister. progress towards RegionalCatchment Targets. These are listedas ‘accountable actions’ontheMurray DarlingBasin actions needtobecompletedasapackagesimultaneously towarrant investment from landholders. The netresult is Several actionstocombatlandsalinisationandwaterlogginghave anegative impactonriver salinity. However, the Salinity targets achieved since1990 • • • • • implementationprogressLong-term strategy * Total 2712re-use systemsinstalledpre-scheme includes supply). primarily aimedatachieving water savings for thebenefitof environment, irrigators andMelbourne’s water in 2008through theNorthern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, isalsohelpingtoreduce salinitythreats (itis Irrigation Regioncommunity’sThe Shepparton Foodbowl Modernisation project, whichbeganimplementation have beenthoroughly completed; Tasks toestablishmanagementsystems(stakeholder forums, partnerships, technicalinput, review processes etc) large andunforeseen declineinsalinitythreat; Works targetssetin1990andreviewed in1995, 2001and2006are again beingreviewed becauseofthe likely government investment; Regional infrastructure (publicdrainsandpublicgroundwater pumps)isbehindscheduleduetodeclining Farm works (landforming, re-use systems, privategroundwater pumps)are aheadofschedule; 41 APPENDICES 42 APPENDICES Budget andFinalExpenditure 2008-2009 reassessment from thebenefit of on-ground works. for salinityintheGoulburnBroken Registeras3.592ECor$931,684withnomechanism The impactofincreasing dryland isnow ontheMDBA Catchment Revised toaccountfor thereview. Notyetby theMDBA. endorsed pre-1991 impacts Includes *Notes: Salt DisposalReport Surface Water ManagementSystems Total Sub-surface Drainage Horticultural Private Groundwater Pumps Public Groundwater Pumps Farm Programs Protection Environmental Tackling Pests Management Surface Water Salt Management Groundwater and Program Support Monitoring Total SIRCIS Biodiversity Research Waterways Activity $’000s funds State 12,737 11,058 2,095 1,690 1,129 2,847 440 120 NAP (50% NAP is State$) $’000s 1,085 2,470 465 250 140 130 400 $’000s NHT Pre-2004 275 250 575 50 -0.055 2.42 0.18 1.15 1.64 funding $’000s Direct 1,751 200 830 100 140 211 270 Total 2004to Uptake ofSaltDisposalEntitlements(EC)* 2007-2008 funds $’000s Regional -0.06 0.77 0.00 0.55 0.28 -282 414 708 525 753 34 23 Uptake in2008-2009 Brought forward $’000s 1,638 1,651 1,680 392 100 -32 33 -0.005 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 $’000s funds Total 18,029 4,079 2,678 1,590 2,968 5,104 Total to2008-2009 484 100 753 153 120 Expended $’000s 15,767 3,434 2,788 1,538 3,156 2,923 -0.61 3.20 0.18 1.69 1.94 860 100 707 140 120 Surface Water ManagementSystems Total Sub-surface Drainage Horticultural Private Groundwater Pumps Public Groundwater Pumps Activity Pre-2004 -0.055 2.42 0.18 1.15 1.64 Total 2004to Uptake ofSaltDisposalEntitlements(EC)* 2007-2008 -0.06 0.77 0.00 0.55 0.28 Uptake in2008-2009 -0.005 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.02 Total to2008-2009 -0.61 3.20 0.18 1.69 1.94 SIRCIS fundssource 2008-2009 SIRCIS expenditure 2008-2009 43 APPENDICES 44 APPENDICES Summary ofCostShare Summary Victorian CPIincrease of2.77%in2008-2009. Accumulated expenditure isexpressed in2008-2009dollars. Previous expenditure wasadjustedby applying the Accumulated expenditure Irrigation Region, andfrom records ofgovernment administered assistanceprograms. Regional community andlandholderexpenditure wasderived from asurvey offarmerswithintheShepparton Community expenditure Appropriate managers, subjecttoverification theexpenditure certified ascorrect reports byaudit. Government expenditure hasbeenobtainedfrom reportsoneachproject, provided by therelevant agency. amount for theyear wasfor works related Irrigation RegionCatchmentImplementationStrategy. tothe Shepparton Includes expenditure offundsfrom budgetallocation, plusfundstransferred duringtheyear. intotheStrategy The total Government expenditure Community Partners Government Totals Annual expenditure
2008-2009 $
49,637,864 33,870,444 15,767,420 Accumulated expenditure $ 1,155,648,938 823,390,275 332,258,663 Summary ofCostShare Summary Community Government Partners Totals Annual expenditure
2008-2009 $
49,637,864 33,870,444 15,767,420 Accumulated expenditure $ 1,155,648,938 823,390,275 332,258,663 Community Education Awareness Grants management plansandstrategies. Groups may apply for agrantuptomaximum of$8,000. groups intheGoulburnBroken catchment. The schemeencouragesprojects thatare related tolocalsalinity Grants are available for salinityeducationanddemonstrationprojects undertaken by schools, farmersandcommunity salinity. Community Education Awareness Grantswere establishedin1986tohelpraiseawareness andunderstandingof Resource GV The GoulburnBroken Greenhouse Alliance C/o ofthe St Mary CollegeNathalia Angels Secondary RiverConnect Education Working Group Greater CityCouncil Shepparton Goulburn Murray Landcare Network Goulburn Murray Landcare Network Goulburn Murray Landcare Network Group Region ClimateChange Travelling Display The GoulburnBroken Greenhouse Irrigation Alliance –Shepparton Student ExcursiontoInvestigate LocalEnvironmental Issues Enhancing RiverConnect Adopt-a-Reach HabitatRestoration Education & Awareness SignageatLake Barlett Wetland, Tatura The Landcare Travelling Roadshow Distribution Local Area PlanningCommunity Newsletter Publication& Education Across theCatchment Project Title Total Grants $32,348 $ 7,500 2,683 7,220 2,000 2,500 6,675 3,770 45 APPENDICES 46 APPENDICES Working Group Members Attendance Record Irrigation RegionImplementationCommittee Shepparton Committees and Working Group Members2008-2009 John Wenske (SIRTEC) Technical Committee Support Region Irrigation Shepparton Nick Ryan Helen Reynolds John Gray Stephen Farrell Allen Canobie Roger Wrigley Peter Gibson Name John Wenske -Katandra West Nick Ryan-Lancaster Helen Reynolds -Congupna John Gray - Toolamba Stephen Farrell -Echuca Allen Canobie-Numurkah Wangaratta Roger Wrigley(Deputy Chair)- Peter Gibson(Chair)-Nanneella Community Members Group Apology 07-5 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Apology Roger Wrigley -SIRIC John Wenske -SIRIC Peter Gibson-SIRIC Allen Canobie-SIRIC 08-6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Tony Long-DSE James Burkitt-G-MW Terry Batey -DPI Community members Agency representativesAgency Non-voting members 08-7 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Apology Apology 08-8 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Apology Ken Sampson Sam Green -G-MW Jen Pagon -DPI David Lawler -DPI Carl Walters -GBCMA Rachael Spokes -GBCMA Pam Collins-GBCMA Peter Howard -GBCMA CMA Elita Briggs-EPA Carl Walters -G-MW Rachael Spokes -GBCMA Wayne Tennant -GBCMA Peter Howard -GBCMA Pam Collins-GBCMA Alister Terry - FFSR DPI Fiona Johnson -FFSRDPI Bruce Gill-FFSRDPI Jen Pagon -DPI Steve Lottkowitz -DPI David Lawler -DPI Terry Batey -DPI Greg Smith - G-MW Chris Solum-G-MW Terry Hunter-G-MW Sam Green - G-MW James Burkitt-G-MW Ken Sampson 09-1 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Agency representativesAgency Executive support Apology Apology Agency staff Agency 09-2 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (dec’d) (dec’d) Apology Apology Apology -GBCMA - GB 09-3 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Apology 09-4 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Working Group Farm &Environment Program Working Group Surface Water Management Management Working Group Groundwater andSalt Budget Sub-Committee Graeme Talarico Rien Silverstein Helen Reynolds Bill Probst Athol McDonald Graham Lawless Alan Lavis John Laing John Hewlett Alfred Heupermann John Gray Gerado Fasano Roger Wrigley (Chair) Max Baker Ross Crawford Morris Brown Glen McAliece Stephen Farrell Hank Sanders John Horder Ron Brooks Allen Canobie(Chair) Ian Whatley John Wenske Heather du Vallon Paul Quirk Kelvin Bruce Roger Wrigley (Chair) Roger Wrigley Stephen Farrell Peter Gibson Carl Walters -GBCMA Megan McFarlane-GBCMA Peter Howard -GBCMA Dee Ludlow -GBCMA Pam Collins-GBCMA David Lawler -DPI Sam Green -G-MW James Burkitt-G-MW Rachael Spokes -GBCMA Elita Briggs-EPA Rachael Spokes -GBCMA Rachael Spokes -GBCMA Ken Sampson David Lawler -DPI Julie Engström -DPI Ken Sampson Pam Collins-GBCMA Neville Atkinson -GBCMA Greg Smith-G-MW Sam Green -G-MW John Tunn - AAV Neil McLeod-DPI Keith Chalmers-DPI Ken Sampson Mark Cotter-GBCMA Bruce Gill-FFSRDPI Terry Batey -DPI Terry Hunter-G-MW James Burkitt-G-MW Ken Sampson (dec’d) (dec’d) (dec’d) (dec’d) - GBCMA - GBCMA - GBCMA - GBCMA
47 APPENDICES 48 APPENDICES Waterways Working Group Roger Wrigley Alan Sutherland Peter Sargent Nick Ryan Bill Probst Lanie Pearce Tait Hamilton John Gray Terry Court Russell Pell (Chair) Ken Sampson Tom O’Dwyer -GBCMA Peter Howard -GBCMA Pam Collins-GBCMA Jen Pagon -DPI Andrew Morrison -DPI Jo Deretic -DPI Neville Wells -DSE David Trickey -DPIFisheries Melissa Turpin -G-MW Daniel Haslop-G-MW Richard Warburton -GBCMA Carl Walters -GBCMA Wayne Tennant -GBCMA Rachael Spokes -GBCMA (dec’d) - GBCMA Publications and presentations
Environment Program
Presentations: • “Monitoring an Environmental Water Allocation using Acoustic Monitoring Techniques”; Biodiversity Celebration day, September, 2008. Department of Primary Industries, Tatura; • “Ecosystem Health Assessment” to “acoustic sensors as environmental monitoring tools” workshop at Queensland University of Technology; McLeod, N and Morrison, A; Department of Primary Industries, Tatura.
Publications: • Three posters were developed for the Catchment Partners Day on modernisation and acoustic monitoring of Reedy Swamp. • Article on acoustic monitoring for Birds Australia.
Farm Program
Publications: • “The process and method for evaluating Farm Irrigation Assessments” paper; Maskey R, Lawler D, and Batey T, Department of Primary Industries, Tatura; • “Linking Farm Irrigation Systems to the Modernisation Delivery System” paper; Irrigation Australia conference, October 2009; Maskey R, and Nicholson C Department of Primary Industries, Tatura; • “Informed Decision Making about Irrigation Related Changes on Farm” paper; Irrigation Australia conference, October 2009; Maskey R, and Nicholson C, Department of Primary Industries, Tatura.
Groundwater and Salt Management Program
Presentations: • “Shepparton Irrigation Region Drain Nutrients Annual Review 2007-2008”, Lamb S, Smith G; Goulburn-Murray Water (2009), • “Biological Monitoring of the Impacts from Irrigation Drain Discharges: A Review of Five Years of Monitoring Data 2003-2007”; Ecowise Environmental (2009) • “Sub-surface Drainage Program Key Performance Indicators Annual Report 2007/2008”; Goulburn-Murray Water, 2009.
Waterways • Technical papers on the review of the Water Quality Strategy have been prepared by the Authority and accepted at key symposiums/conferences: o 12th International Conference on Integrated Diffuse Pollution Management (IWA DIPCON 2008), Research Centre for Environmental and Hazardous Substance Management (EHSM), Khon Kaen University, Thailand; o International River Symposuim, Brisbane; o AWA OzWater09, Melbourne.
Research APPENDICES Presentations: • “Sub-surface Drip Irrigation Project overview”; Irrigation Expo, Wodonga, February 2009, Department of Primary Industries, Tatura; • “Sub-surface Drip Irrigation Project overview”; Department of Primary Industries Dairy Extension Irrigation Course, April 2009; Department of Primary Industries, Tatura. 49 50 APPENDICES • Publications: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Primary Industries;Primary Committee meeting31stOctober2008; Future FarmingSystemsPracticeChangeResearch of Department “Policy ChoiceFramework andlandholderproject Irrigation RegionImplementation findings”totheShepparton Industries,Primary Tatura. “Sub-surface DripFieldDay”, Byrneside, 28November 2008. Future FarmingSystemsResearch, of Department Day”,Reporting IndustriesFuture FarmingSystemsResearch, ofPrimary Department Tatura, 19thJune; IndustriesResearch ofPrimary Irrigation RegionImplementationCommitteeandDepartment “2009 Shepparton Primary Industries,Primary Tatura. landscapes framework - Transaction typesandtrading segments inthewatermarket (2009). of Department Kaine G, Rowbottom B, Morse-McNabb LandMcAllister A. Spatialmarket segmentation&healthy productive toGBCMA(2009).Report Industries, ofPrimary Department Tatura; Murdoch, H, Lourey, R, Kaine, GandJohnson, F. change–Final Understandinglandholdersinaneraofregulatory modernisation ofirrigation infrastructure (2009). Industries, ofPrimary Department Tatura; Johnson, F, Kaine, G, Sandall, JandMurdoch, H.Policy responses toensure ofpublicbenefitsfrom thedelivery the Industries,Primary Tatura; implement naturalresource policy: A casestudyoftheimplementation ofirrigation policy (2008). of Department Keeble, B, Kaine, GandHunter, J. A new approach toinvestigating how organisationsshare responsibilities to Industries,Primary Tatura; productive landscapes framework - Transaction typesandtradingsegmentsinthewatermarket. of Department Kaine G, Rowbottom B, Morse-McNabbLandMcAllister A (2009)Spatialmarket segmentation&healthy 2009 SIRIC/DPIResearch Day Reporting on19thJune 2009 Industries ofPrimary Department Goulburn-Broken day CatchmentPartners on4thMarch 2009; Future FarmingSystemsPracticeChangeResearch Industries Systems PracticeChangeResearch ofPrimary Department approach“Partnership andRelationshipChoiceFramework” casetothe Water ClusterJuly 2009; Future Farming Industries Systems PracticeChangeResearch ofPrimary Department “Relationship ChoiceFramework” casestudytoEnvironment Waikato (NZ)ontheJune 2009; Future Farming Industries Practice ChangeResearch ofPrimary Department “Case studyofrelationships toimplementirrigation policy”toSIRTEC 2009; January Future FarmingSystems Industries Research ofPrimary Department Modernisation Sub-committee; 2009; December2008andJanuary Future FarmingSystemsPracticeChange “Policy ChoiceFramework IndustriesIrrigation andlandholderproject ofPrimary findings”totheDepartment Industries; of Primary Implementation Committee5thNovember 2008; Future FarmingSystemsPracticeChangeResearch Department “Landholder project findings”to, FarmandEnvironment Working Group Irrigation Region oftheShepparton Partnership Agency Staff 2008-2009 The Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee acknowledges the valuable contribution and dedication of the staff of our Partnership Agencies throughout the past year.
Tackling Pests Drew Gracie DPI Greg Wood DPI
Biodiversity Tim Barlow GB CMA Jim Castles GB CMA Kate Brunt GB CMA Vanessa Keogh GB CMA Carla Miles GB CMA Rolf Weber DSE
Environment Vanessa Campbell DPI Keith Chalmers DPI Jo Deretic DPI Nickee Freeman DPI Rebecca Heard DPI Allison McCallum DPI Neil McLeod DPI Andrew Morrison DPI Jen Pagon DPI Joel Pike DPI
Farm Gemma Beard DPI Julie Engström DPI Clair Haines DPI David Lawler DPI Samantha Longley DPI Rabi Maskey DPI Chelsea Nicholson DPI Chris Nicholson DPI Melly Pandher DPI Jeremy Patt DPI Eamon Reeves DPI
Ingrid Stava DPI APPENDICES
51 52 APPENDICES Groundwater andSaltManagement Surface Water Management Program Support Monitoring Rachael Spokes Andrea Smith Ken Sampson Peter Howard Pam Collins Rhonda McKie Olive Montecillo Bruce Cumming Terry Batey Raechel Ballinger Greg Smith Erin Simpson Tony Lovell Stephen Lamb Cassie Warren Luke Stacey Chris Solum Ian Oppy Terry Hunter Stephen Feiss Peter Dickinson Rachel Bradshaw James Burkitt Gaye Sutherland O’Meara Robert Chris Guthrie Sam Green Craig Rath Rebecca Pike Mark Paganini Ascher Derwent John Bourchier Lyndall Ash Anne Graesser (dec’d) GB CMA GB CMA GB CMA GB CMA GB CMA GB CMA G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW G-MW DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI DPI Research Department of Primary Industries Branch: Peter Clayton FFSR Tony Cook FFSR Rick Dabrowski FFSR Tracey Davies FFSR Lucy Finger FFSR Bruce Gill FFSR Amjed Hussain FFSR Kevin Kelly FFSR Hayden Lewis FFSR Richard Maxwell FFSR Andrew McAllister FFSR Mike Morris FFSR Elizabeth Morse-McNabb FFSR Susan Robson FFSR Alister Terry FFSR Nadine Edwards FSV PCR Fiona Johnson FSV PCR Brigette Keeble FSV PCR Helen Murdoch FSV PCR Ben Rowbottom FSV PCR
Waterways Simon Casanelia GB CMA Steve Collins GB CMA Christine Glassford GB CMA Fleur Jaques GB CMA Tony Kubeil GB CMA Scott Morath GB CMA Tom O’Dwyer GB CMA Andrew Pearson GB CMA Peta Ritchie GB CMA Gaye Sutherland GB CMA Wayne Tennant GB CMA Carl Walters GB CMA Richard Warburton GB CMA Keith Ward GB CMA Corey Wilson GB CMA
Paul O’Connor DSE APPENDICES
53 54 ABBREVIATIONS SSDP SPC SKM SIRTEC SIRCIS SIR IC SIR NVIRP NHT MDBA GSMP G-MW GMLN GIS FEDS EPA EMS DSE DPI CRC CMA CaLP ANCID AAV ABBREVIATIONS Sub-surface DrainageProgram Company Preserving Shepparton Sinclair KnightMerz Irrigation Region Shepparton Technical Committee Support Irrigation Region CatchmentImplementationStrategy Shepparton Irrigation Region ImplementationCommittee Shepparton Irrigation Region Shepparton Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project Natural Heritage Trust Murray-Darling Basin Authority Groundwater andSaltManagementProgram Goulburn-Murray Water Goulburn Murray Landcare Network Geographical Information System DrillingScheme Farm Exploratory Environment Protection Authority Environmental ManagementSystem ofSustainability&EnvironmentDepartment Industries ofPrimary Department Cooperative Research Centre Catchment Management Authority Catchment andLandProtection Australian NationalCommitteeofIrrigation andDrainage Aboriginal Affairs Victoria ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The preparation of this report has been made possible by the contribution of the following people. Their contributions are greatly appreciated.
Implementation Committee Peter Gibson, Chair Roger Wrigley, Deputy Chair
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Ken Sampson (dec’d) Tim Barlow Peter Howard Rod McLennan Mark Turner Carl Walters
Department of Primary Industries Lyndall Ash Raechel Ballinger Terry Batey Bruce Gill Fiona Johnson Brigette Keeble David Lawler Mike Morris Helen Murdoch Jen Pagon
Goulburn-Murray Water James Burkitt Sam Green Greg Smith
Department of Sustainability and Environment Rolf Weber
Photographs used in the Annual Report were gratefully received from the staff of Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA) the Department of Primary Industries and Goulburn-Murray Water staff.
The GIS Group at the Department of Primary Industries Tatura produced maps used in this report.
Consultants / Contractors used Sinclair Knight Merz URS
GHD ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Hydro Environmental TJC Solutions Geotech Pty Ltd Thompson and Berrill Landscape Design 55 56