IAL Conference 2012

Farm Water ProgramPresented by Carl Walters (for Megan McFarlane)

Goulburn Broken CMA26th of June 2012

Where are we?

Introduction• The Farm Water Program developed in 2009 as a result of the

Commonwealth Government’s On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program (OFIEP)

• Generating water savings by improving on-farm irrigation infrastructure.

• The Goulburn Broken CMA led consortium – Dairy Australia, Goulburn-Murray Water, – Murray Dairy, North Central CMA, – North East CMA, Northern Victorian Irrigators Inc – Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP)– Department of Primary Industries – Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).

BackgroundParticipation Criteria• On-Farm Projects for FarmWater are assessed for a range of

elements before being eligible for the program.

Connection to modernised system Whole farm plan that shows the project and the detailed

design. Water savings calculator based on 15 years of research Minimum standards for technologies. Detailed costings checked against industry ranges and used

by NVIRP. Quotes for all works.

• They are selected for inclusion in the program.

The Program Round 1• Round 1 of the OFIEP received $21 million for 76 projects in

2010.

• Heavily over-subscribed by irrigators 150 Projects.

• Only Funding for Improved Flood projects

• An additional $17 million from NVIRP that covered almost all of the remaining Round 1 Projects.

• 148 projects in Round 1 with funding of $38 million.

• 18,000Ml of water will be saved and 9,000 Ml to the Commonwealth and State Governments for the environmental.

• Due to finish in March 2013.

The ProgramRound 2• Round 2 received $25 million of funding from the OFIEP in 2012

for approx. 90 Projects.

• Heavily Oversubscribed with 270 projects

• Additional $44 million was secured by DSE for 150 Projects through the Commonwealth Government’s State Priority Projects Program.

• 34,000 Ml of water saved and at least 17,000 Ml to the Federal Government for environmental purposes.

• Due to finish in March 2014.

• 30 projects Unfunded.

Progress to Date• For Round 1 around 60% of projects

are now completed

• Water Transferred to the Government

• Remaining projects are around 75% completed. Heavy rain and flooding in summer 2012 has delayed completion for at least 6 months.

• Round 2 projects rolling out contract development, water transferring, first projects starting works.

Irrigator Feedback• Completed Projects from Round 1 has been overwhelmingly positive.

• This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to undertake works they would not otherwise be able to commit to financially.

• Labour, time savings and productivity improvements are key benefits.

• Demand is still high so need an on going Program to support modernisation.

• Completed projects are seeing the water savings and are very happy with the new infrastructure .

ReviewFarm Water Process Review

• A well run program but the processes are complex

• Alignment with NVIRP modernisation has been good

• Tension has been around the eligibility criteria to be connected to the modernised delivery system and those who may miss out.

• Different conditions for different funding sources create confusion

Lessons learntCommunications and Complexity

• Currently implementing four funding programs (in two Rounds) same basic elements, with some different conditions and processes.

• Slight differences can easily make the program unfathomable for many irrigators very quickly.

• Target the right information and level of detail to the right audience.

• The importance of good communications, developing relationships and trust cannot be over emphasised.

• Aspirational target of “Elegant Simplicity” and is still aspirational

Conclusions• The Farm Water Program is delivering

environmental outcomes in Northern Victoria and to the Rivers .

• Overwhelming positive Feedback from irrigators participating in the program

• It’s win for the environment and the regional community.

• The Consortium running the program must continue to ensure that the program responds to feedback

• Need to adapt to drivers that impact upon the successful program delivery.

What are the irrigators saying

What are the irrigators saying

• Irrigator Pat Quinn from Cohuna has installed about 280 hectares of pipes and risers on his property.

• The expected water savings are around 500 megalitres and about 250 megalitres transferred to the environment.