Water, Land and People - Goulburn Broken Catchment ...

Salinity targets achieved since 1990
Several actions to combat land salinisation and waterlogging have a negative impact on river salinity. However, the
actions need to be completed as a package simultaneously to warrant investment from landholders. The net result is
progress towards Regional Catchment Targets. These are listed as ‘accountable actions’ on the Murray Darling Basin
Authority Salinity Register.
The levels of government funding have declined in real terms since targets were set in the 1990 Shepparton Irrigation
Region Land and Water Salinity Management Plan (SIRLWSMP). At the current rate of investment implementation
targets will not be met until approximately 2030 (rather than 2020 as forecast in the 1990 SIRLWSMP).
* Total includes 2712 re-use systems installed pre-scheme
Long-term strategy implementation progress
• Farm works (landforming, re-use systems, private groundwater pumps) are ahead of schedule;
• Regional infrastructure (public drains and public groundwater pumps) is behind schedule due to declining
government investment;
• Works targets set in 1990 and reviewed in 1995, 2001 and 2006 are again being reviewed because of the likely
large and unforeseen decline in salinity threat;
• Tasks to establish management systems (stakeholder forums, partnerships, technical input, review processes etc)
have been thoroughly completed;
• The Shepparton Irrigation Region community’s Foodbowl Modernisation project, which began implementation
in 2008 through the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, is also helping to reduce salinity threats (it is
primarily aimed at achieving water savings for the benefit of the environment, irrigators and Melbourne’s water
supply).
APPENDICES
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