GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION

News & Events

Copeton Dam is at 9% and steadying as the last of the environmental releases for the northern connectivity event for fish wind-down, however there is only 2,000 megalitres available to irrigators as carryover for next season.  Essential supplies including high security are secured, although below the targeted 2-year supply level which may impact deliverability without further inflows or natural flows. Dam capacity would still need to increase by 3% before an allocation could be made and this is to ensure security of essential supplies.

Groundwater usage on the three-year rolling average is tracking just below Plan Limit and this volume of usage should not impact starting allocations, when announced on 1 July 2019.

The Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme run by the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries, Rural Assistance Authority is currently available for  eligible Primary Producers to claim a rebate of 25% (up to $25,000 per farm) of the cost of purchase ,delivery and the labour cost to engage a person to install water infrastructure for animal welfare needs. The rebate can be applied to costs incurred from 1st July 2018 for new purchases, and installation of pipes, water storages and water pumps, de-silting dams, and associated power supply such as generators.

The GVIA has welcomed the extension of drought measures in the recent NSW Government Budget to waive fixed water charges for some members and local land services rates, this keeps money in farmers pockets that they can prioritise on other expenses during the drought. We encourage members to spend the equivalent dollars in their local communities and pass on this benefit to another small business doing it tough in the drought.  The GVIA also welcomed upgrades to regional telecommunications and infrastructure projects like roads and water supplies, which will help to ensure regional communities can remain competitive in business. More information on budge measures is available via the NSW Budget 2019-20 webpage.

NSW IPART have approved prices for WaterNSW bulk regional delivery for the 2019/2020 water delivery year, to take effect on 1 July 2019.  The decision has seen minor increases for inflation and CPI for WaterNSW customers in the Gwydir Valley.  More information is available from NSW IPART or click below to see our pricing webpage which includes a link to the WaterNSW billing calculator.  

AgSkilled together with Tocal College and NSW Dept of Industry will be running a new course "THRIVE - Productivity for Progress" in Moree and Dubbo in the coming months. The course is designed to help build skills in productivity, communication and leadership and is suited to   men and women involved in any sector of the cotton or grains industry, at any stage in their career.  For more information, see the flyer or contact Rebecca Fing for more details.

NSW Department of Industry-Water and WaterNSW were in Moree this week as part of their tour of drought-affected regions in the state. To talk with communities, providing an updates on surface and groundwater water availability and the proposed management measures if the dry conditions persist.

"In the Gwydir, we're not quite at record low inflows but we're certainly in the lowest per cent of years over the last 100 years or so," Mr Wrathall said.

"Storage still has some water in it, enough to keep the river running periodically over the next year or two and critical needs are still able to be met.

As GVIA members are also members of NSW Irrigators Council and now you can sign up directly to receive updates from the state-body for irrigators in NSW via http://www.nswic.org.au/newsletter-registration/, previous updates are available via the link below

NSW Department of Industry - Water and WaterNSW are holding the second public session on water management during drought. These sessions will provide an update on water availability, groundwater and the proposed measures to help manage the river systems if the dry conditions persist.

A session is scheduled for Moree on the 24th May, 12-2pm, at the Max Centre, Moree.  Please see the link below to find out more and to RSVP.

Zara Lowien, our Executive Officer, recently contributed to the Australian Farm Institute's May Insights Newsletter on 'The Changeing Landscape of the Murray Darling Basin Plan'.  Zara outlined answers to three key questions, regarding climate change, water markets and community disruption  and what a reset of the Plan would look like.  She summed up the current frustrations with the Basin Plan with this closing comment "The vitriolic debate about who is responsible for low water availability, rivers ceasing to flow and unfortunate fish deaths during this current drought exemplifies that we’ve failed to manage expectations about the MDBP; what it is about for communities and the broader Australian public and what it can achieve now and into the future."

The Federal election campaign draws to a close this Saturday, 18th May. To lend a line from former Prime Minister John Howard when asked whether a candidate was fit for Parliament, he said “It is a matter not for you or me... The Australian people will decide whether somebody is fit to be in parliament”.

With that in mind, we have provided a comparison of party policies around water predominately but we have also provided links to other tools on a range of regional and rural issues and candidate information, for you to review and consider prior to exercising your right to vote. To make your vote count and ensure you help decide who's fit for Parliament, be aware of voting requirements (the Senate process has changed) but also exercise your full preferential voting.   

With the joint-environmental water event in the Gwydir and Border Rivers catchments underway, there are community information sessions to talk about the flows and what they are aiming to achieve: in Moree: 17 May 2-4pm Lyle Houlahan Park (near tourist information centre), Alice St and Collarenebri: 22 May 2-4pm Boat Ramp on Barwon River, Cnr Wilson and Walgett St at Barwon River Bridge or more information on #northernconnectivity fish flows via  Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.

Water will again flow down the Mehi River through Moree this week, following the decision by environmental water managers to re-start the river and provide flows for a fish flow event. Flow events like this are a great opportunity for everyone to see what can be achieved with judicial use of environmental water.  An update from the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder is available via bit.ly/2IsLn79

New project to be launched

Over the next 12-months the GVIA will be working in partnership with a range of organisations and local landholders to implement a strategic feral pig management program in the Valley. The program will involve monitoring feral pig populations and the damage they cause to natural ecosystems and crops in and around the Gwydir wetlands and is due to start the initial stages of planning for implementation.  We are currently seeking interest from landholders in the lower reaches of the valley around Moree and further west, to work on the project steering committee. 

The final balances of water remaining in the Gwydir Valley have been confirmed in the February resource assessment with remaining water for critical needs the majority of water stored in Copeton Dam, along with the last of general security (2,000ML) and environmental holdings (69,000ML).  Environmental water is likely to be used for drought management strategies.

GVIA Executive Officer, recently made a statement to the Moree Champion regarding the release of two independent reports into the fish kills at Menindee Lakes saying that the continued focus on a number or volume to be recovered for the environment, from irrigation [for the Murray Darling Basin Plan], has meant that the outcomes to be achieved and how it would be used, are not well understood.
Photo: Dead fish in the Barwon River in 1958, before irrigation.

Water NSW have issued a blue-green algal alert for Copeton Dam, which is at 12% capacity and holding critical water supplies and environmental holdings only.  Water quality issues like this will continue to be an issue in the dam and the regions rivers and creeks until fresh inflows occur.

Total inflows into the Copeton this year have been at our lowest historical records.  Capacity would need to increase by at least 5% before consideration of any additional supplies other than the valleys critical water needs.

Today is Women and Girls in Science day and we thought we would celebrate the great work of our team! Lou (L) who has a Bachelor of AgSci from UNE and Masters in Business is representing the GVIA and the CGA at UNE GRASS Industry Placement celebrations having co-hosted a high school student earlier this year, also a budding female scientist. Zara (R) who has Hons in LWSci from Sydney Uni, is monitoring water usage across the valley and fulling out key facts and developing policies on water measurement. That is just today's snippet of what they are doing but it's exciting to see where science can take you! Lou and Zara work with a great group of men and women at the GVIA to help ensure our work is well researched and well communicated. To find out more of what they do and the GVIA, visit our website.

The NSW Government are hosting drought water availability outlook drop in sessions, tomorrow at the Max Centre Moree from 2pm (after the Siphon-less irrigation field day in the morning).  Drop in and ask questions about water availability in the region, the GVIA will also be there.  Sessions are around the state.

The South Australian Royal Commission's report into the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been released and is now available via their website.  The MDBA have provided a response via https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/mdba-response-south-australian-royal-commission-final-report.  There are many recommendations which will take time to review and with headings like the 'triple bottom line myth' this report will get much media attention, particularly with the upcoming elections.

Water availability in the region has been updated following recent resource assessments outlining a 32,000ML shortfall that will need to be topped up before an allocation is available.  There is less than 8,000ML available in general security accounts and groundwater will be relied on heavily for the remainder of the season.  Groundwater users are encouraged to provide updated meter readings via iWAS to allow for monitoring of valley usage.

Wednesday 6th February 2019 at Deer Park, Combadello Rd, Moree
Join us for the 2019 GVIA field day Siphon-less Irrigation where you can learn first hand from growers and designers who have made the change to bankless or siphon-less irrigation.
It is being held on Wednesday the 6th February 2019 at Deer Park. Buses will leave from the Moree Racecourse at 7:30am  returning at 2pm. 

The Gwydir Alluvium WRP covers groundwater within the main alluvial deposits associated with the Gwydir River from approximately 20 kilometres downstream of Copeton Dam, continuing north-west through Bingara to Biniguy through to approximately 45 kilometres west of Moree.  The NSW Government is undertaking public consultation on this plan, which includes the Gwydir alluvium and Lower Gwydir Groundwater Water Sharing Plans.  All groundwater and alluvium members are encouraged to attend one of the sessions; Moree 4th December, 10am-1pm at the Services Club and on the same day Bingara, 3pm-5pm at the Bingara Returned Services Club.  Information on the water resource plan will be provided or can be reviewed from the Department's website.  The GVIA will be making a submission by the due date, 14th December 2018.

Essential to the release of floodplain harvesting licences (scheduled for late 2019), is the development of a monitoring and auditing strategy. The strategy will apply to those landholders who are eligible to receive a floodplain harvesting access licence under the Floodplain Harvesting Policy and will form part of their respective license conditions. To ensure the final strategy is practical, robust and can be implemented effectively, feedback is sought from stakeholders and the community. You can have your say by making a written submission or coming to a public information session in Moree on Monday 3rd December, 10:30am - 12pm at the Max Function & Conference Centre.  RSVP to fph.monitoring@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

The Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) is hosting an Innovation in Irrigation: Water Measurement and Metering Field Day on Thursday 29th November 2018 at “Keytah” Moree. Executive Officer of the GVIA, Zara Lowien said...

Please RSVP by 26th November for catering to gvia@gvia.org.au or 02 6752 1399.

NSW Department of Industry - Water have announced 0% allocation for October in the Gwydir Valley.  With Copeton Dam at 20% and falling with current deliveries, inflows greater than 27,000ML are required prior to any allocations to be made due to shortfalls in targeted water supplies. The full resource assessment is available via the water availability and allocations hub here.

Reminder the GVIA AGM and General Meeting is on Wednesday, 14th November 2018 at 9 o'clock in the morning.  Following the meeting, the GVIA is hosting with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the NSW Office of Environmental Heritage to the Gwydir Wetlands to see first-hand outcomes from recent water deliveries and discuss water delivery strategies. Please RSVP for the meeting and the bus tour, to Zara via zara.lowien@gvia.org.au.

Irrigation Australia Limited with NSW Sustaining the Basin Irrigated Farm Modernisation are holding a meter validators and installers course next week 6th & 7th November in Narrabri, at ACRI.  The course covers the

  • New Australian Standards for Control of Rural Water Meter Installation and Validation
  • Explanation of the Pattern Approval process for meter manufacturers and what installers need to know when validating installations
  • Site preparation, component installation, site reinstatement and commissioning
  • Field assessment of meter installations
See the website and contact the STBIFM team to see if, as an irrigator, you are eligible for the subsidy.  This course will help to inform you of your requirements under the developing NSW Metering Regulations.
 

GVIA Annual General Meeting

A reminder that the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association will hold their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 14th November 2018 at the GVIA office, 100 Balo Street Moree.  The AGM will start at 9 o'clock in the morning with a general meeting following directly afterwards.  RSVP to Zara Zara.Lowien@gvia.org.au.  Committee nominations are also due by the 7th November.

The GVIA will be hosting an Innovation in Irrigation: Water Measurement and Metering Field Day on Thursday, 29th November 2018 from 9am - 1pm to provide information to irrigators regarding NSW Water Metering regulations to take effect on 1 December 2018.  The day will include information from the NSW Water Reform Action Taskforce as well as local irrigators and service providers on approaches to assess your requirements and ways to ensure you are compliant. 

The NSW Government is holding public consultation sessions for the Gwydir Surface Water Resource Plan, which includes all regulated and unregulated water sources in the Gwydir Valley.  The Water Resource Plans are a package of documents included Water Sharing Plans, Long-term Environmental Watering Plans and cultural values for example.  The package can be viewed at the Department of Industry - Water website and consultation sessions are in Bingara 31 October and Moree 1 November 2018.  The GVIA will be attending but members are also encouraged to ensure direct feedback on individual Water Sharing Plan or other water management issues can be tabled.

Water releases under the bulk water release strategy continue with approximately 750 ML/day being released from Copeton Dam.  Current water availability sees 41,000ML for General Security irrigation use with orders in the system now and 113,000ML for environmental purposes. Essential supply forecasts and delivery loss accounts remain 23,800ML below target and hence, inflows will be required prior to a new resource assessment being made available. For detailed resource assessment see the NSW Department  of Industry - Water website and for Water Availability reports and dam releases visit WaterNSW.















The NSW Government are seeking feedback on new draft metering framework released on 27th August 2018.  The GVIA's current position on water take measurement is available on our water policy section and we've provided a quick decision tree to support you in understanding what may be required of you, as entitlement holders under the draft framework.  Members can access for detailed advice in the member section of the website.  Comments on the framework are due to the NSW Government by 30th September 2018 via the online portal.


A Farm Health and Safety Day will be held on Thursday 20th Sept 2018, at "Midkin" 1957 Carnarvon Hwy, Ashley between 10am - 2:30 pm
DEMONSTRATIONS AND SHORT TALKS WILL INCLUDE
Information on services available from SafeWork NSW, Local Lands Services, NSW Farmers and CWA, Improving understanding of your responsibilities and obligations and how to build work, health and safety innovation into farm management practices. Key topics covered will be: Mental health, Hazardous chemicals, Quad bike safety, Rural crime prevention and Safe management of plant.
RSVP by Friday 14 September 2018; 02 67928720 or email louisa.burns@safework.nsw.gov.au
Small Business may be eligible for a $500 small business rebate

Young agricultural innovators from across the Parkes electorate are being invited to submit their research project ideas for a chance to share in up to $286,000 in funding through the 2019 Science and Innovation Awards.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said there is an abundance of initiative among young scientists, innovators and researchers in his electorate. “Many of the best new ideas I’ve seen come directly from passionate young people already working in agricultural industries,” Mr Coulton said.
Each winner from the 13 industry award categories will receive a grant of up to $22,000, which could go a long way in making these ideas a reality and helping to advance prosperous careers in agriculture.

The community are invited to public consultation meetings on the Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan 2018. Executive Director Water, Rachel Connell, is urging farmers, landholders, industry groups and the community to comment on the draft plan before the public exhibition period finishes on the 5 October 2018. “All feedback will be considered in the finalisation of the plan so it is important to visit the exhibition and have your say.  Ms Connell said. To register for a session, see a copy of the draft plan, and make a submission visit the Department of Industry website here.
10.30am on Tuesday 11 September at the Moree Services Club,
10am, Wednesday 12 September at the Walgett RSL Club
10am, Thursday 13 September at Diggers on the Darling, Bourke

The NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton on Sunday announced the upcoming trade of excess environmental allocation in the Gwydir Valley, amongst others in NSW.  We welcome this opportunity to provide genuine win-win for our local community and others during this dry time.

The NSW and Federal Governments have expanded their drought assistance packages with 100% of the state declared in drought.  One component of this is the automatic waiver of Local Land Services rates and fixed charges for general security and supplementary water licence holders, which are capped at $4,000.  To make the most of these waivers, available to everyone please visit your nearest town and spend those savings in a shop or business, to pass on that benefit to others.  

This week Rabobank are hosting farmers from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria in northern NSW and Southern Qld. It was  a wonderful opportunity to show farmers innovation in irrigation as demonstrated at Keytah where Sundown Pastoral Company, CRDC, the Federal Government and the GVIA have been conducting trials on irrigation efficiency for the last 10 years.

The NSW Government will be releasing draft regulations and policy for non-urban water metering to enable the draft metering framework developed in June 2018.  These regulations will provide the detail by which all irrigators, prioritised under the framework will need to comply.  The Government will undertake a 5-week consultation period starting with the first of six, state-wide meetings in Moree on Thursday, 30 August 2018 between 3-5:30pm at the Max Centre.  The GVIA will be in attendance but we also encourage members, as well as metering and telemetry service providers, to attend so that we can seek feedback from a range of stakeholders prior to preparing our submission to Government.

Pump and Irrigation Specialist Ryan Hunt is one of scores of skilled youth who will continue to advance the rural sector into the future. He is just one of the scores of youth returning to rural Australia, keen to forge a meaningful career, without having compromising on lifestyle.

Thank You to Business who supported #jointheagrevolution

The Join the Ag Revolution Campaign has only been possible with the support of local business. To each and everyone of you a big Thank You from the GVIA.
We have launched in the last week and yesterday released the first of our videos. Which can be found on our webpage or on the Join the Ag Revolution facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/jointheagrevolution/

Join the Ag Revoluti

We are really happy to have launched the first of a series of videos on Innovation and Opportunities in Australian Agriculture. This is an industry predicted to be worth $100 billion in the comming years, but to get there we will need people. There are so many career opportunites now and there will be more in the future. If you are interested in resource management, robotics or irrigation, then agriculture is the industry for you.
Join the AG Revolution is a community of people who are proud to be a part of Australian agriculture visit our webpage or Facebook page to keep up to date with whats happening in ag, #jointheagrevolution

Australian Agriculture is on the cusp of a revolution, with renewed enthusiasm fuelling a transformation.  Precision ag, increased production capabilities, water savinginnovations are all reflective of an industry brimming with opportunity.

The forums are being held in regional towns and are designed to bring together great ideas and success stories.
Moree is on Thursday 5th July at 5:30pm at the Moree Services Club The focus is on community members and aims to promote regional towns as great places to live and build a career.
Discussions will include: Setting realistic short and medium term ambitions around jobs growth, population growth and services. Engaging and support both young and older members of the community, Securing investments, and Encouraging and supporting local entrepreneurs.
visit https://www.theland.com.au/news/next-crop/

The Department of Industry - Water announced starting allocations for the 2018-19 water year on 1 July 2018.  Essential supplies for town water, stock and domestic and high security users all received 100% allocations for all plans.  Groundwater, alluvial and unregulated users also received 100% allocation with alluvial and unregulated access limited by flow availability.  General security users did not receive an allocation as there were no additional resources available for sharing in Copeton Dam, an updated assessment is due next month.  Supplementary users received a 125% allocation, with access dependant on flows and flow sharing rules.  Click to view the full statement.

Join the ag revolution

Never has there been a more exciting time to be working in Australian agriculture. Innovation in drones, robotics and mechatronics are just a few of the developments currently changing the face of farming in Australia today.
We initated a new campaign to form a collective community of people that are proud to be a part of Australian agriculture visit our webpage or Facebook page to keep up to date with whats happening in ag, future opportunities and events and #jointheagrevolution

The CCA will be hosting their Cropping Solutions Seminar on Thursday, 21 June, 2018 and Friday, 22 June, 2018 1:00 PM at The Crossing Theatre
117 Tibbereena St, Narrabri, New South Wales 2390, Australia.
 

NSW DPI Nitrogen Trials
CottonInfo invites you to hear the latest results from the trials at “Norwood”, Moree and ACRI, Narrabri over the 17/18 season.
Have your say on future N research in the Gwydir. 

1pm Tuesday 12th June 2018, Gwydir Valley Irrigators Assoc. Board Room, 100 Balo St Moree
RSVP Janelle Montgomery, M. 0428 640 990

The Department of Industry - Water released the May resource assessment for the Gwydir Valley with no allocation provided to general security licenses.  There is a small shortfall of 3.15GL for delivery loss that must be secured prior to any further allocations being made.  See the NSW Water Availability Hub.

The Keytah Irrigation System Comparison trial has just been completed for the fifth season. Yield performance this year has been really strong with the highest yield for each of the systems. The yield estimates based on module weights indicate that the Bankless Channel has produced the highest yield this year.

The GVIA are disappointed with recent media reports and commentary around the management of floodplain flows and have provided the following statement and facts about the program, which was designed to incorporate this legitimate historical access into the current regulatory framework as required by legislation.    We want people to know that this is not new water and that implementing this program will have many benefits.  Most importantly it will protect the environment and users from further growth, providing certainty to all communities who rely on it. Restricting future growth will maintain and improve floodplain flows and build on Basin Plan outcomes, not detract from them.

On 17th May 2018 the SA Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission held a public hearing in Moree which was attended by community members. It provided an opportunity to discuss community impacts of buybacks, the adoption of the highest standard of measurement by Gwydir irrigators and the limited connectivity of the Gwydir, which means there is minimal ability to provide contributions downstream. The GVIA will be preparing a submission to the commission. The commission also meet with other organisations such as MPSC.

Gwydir Valley Area Wide Management Group

The Gwydir Valley Area Wide Management Groups will meet next week to wrap up the cotton season. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings.
The Telleraga meeting is earlier at 3pm and the Ashley/Midkin meeting has been moved to the Ashley Hall.

  • Gwydir West AWM - 3pm Wednesday 23rd May at Telleraga Woolshed
  • Gwydir North East AWM - 7:30am, Thursday 24th May at Ashley Hall

With up to a third of NSW experiencing drought conditions the NSW Government have released an information sheet with details of loan options and organisations who can offer assistance if required.

The South Australian Royal Commission into the Murray Darling Basin Plan is holding public consultation on their investigation at the Max Centre on Thursday 17 May 2018 between 10:30am - 12pm.  This is an opportunity for the community and not only irrigators to demonstrate to the Royal Commission how the Basin Plan has impacted our community and how environmental outcomes have been achieved but that we can always improve but that doesn't mean just adding more water.  You will need to register via their website https://www.mdbrc.sa.gov.au/.

Gwydir regulated water availability remains unchanges following April's resource assessment.  Use of environmental water for the northern connectivity event and minor orders for irrigation have occured reducing water available to irrigators to 42GL and 154GL to environmental water users (plus any high security water).  There is a minor shortfall in delivery loss account which will need to be balanced prior to any water being available for sharing.  

The NW LLS are hosting a Native Vegetation information session at the Moree RSL on Monday 30th April 2018 between 9am and 5pm. The day will provide producers an opportunity to talk through the new regulations with your local land services representives. For more information or to reserve a time that suits you please contact: Sally Poole Local Land Services Moree 0409 707 623

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