IMPROVED IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY IN THE LOWER MURRAY DARLING REGION OF AUSTRALIA

Anecdotal evidence has suggested that the performance of irrigators in the lower Murray Darling region of NSW has significantly improved in the last 10 years. This study reports the change in irrigation performance in this region. The main area of improvement has been upgrading of irrigation infrastructure, both on and off farm. Metered readings from water supply authorities from three irrigation districts have found that the volume of water diverted has dropped 30-60% due to supply infrastructure upgrades. This has had a dramatic follow on effect to on-farm adoption of technology. Since the infrastructure upgrades, surface irrigation methods (flood and furrow irrigation) have more than halved and drip irrigation more than tripled. Over 70% of the irrigation community have completed formal irrigation training and the information gained has become standard knowledge throughout the irrigation community. This education program has stimulated the adoption of Irrigation and Drainage Management Plans and irrigation scheduling using more sophisticated scheduling tools. These improvements have resulted in significant benefits to the local community and the environment. Metered drainage outfalls have fallen by 85% since 1998 and average groundwater heights reduced by 2m in some districts.