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

PROGRAM REPORTS
Executive Officer’s Report
Ken Sampson
Executive Officer
Shepparton
Irrigation
Region
Implementation
Committee
The year 2006-2007 has been one of achievement
and progress in the implementation of the
Shepparton Irrigation Region component of the
Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Regional
Strategy.
The partnership program with the Catchment and
Water group of DSE is delivered with our regional
partners in G-MW, DPI and DSE. The progress
towards our targets for on-ground works continues
to be impressive.
The support given by agency staff and the regional
communities has been enthusiastic and dedicated
towards achieving positive results.
Future Directions
Major new challenges will face the Shepparton
Irrigation Region Implementation Committee from
2007 with the release of the next stage of the
State Government’s Our Water Our Future water
policy plan. The focus is still on water savings but,
in response to drought and climate change, has an
increased emphasis on securing water for urban
communities.
For the irrigation sector the package of reforms
known as the Food Bowl Modernisation Project,
consists of a program of works to upgrade ageing
and inefficient irrigation infrastructure. Works will
be implemented over five to eight years with the
aim to increase the efficiency of delivery systems.
In June, 2007 a $1 billion commitment was made
by the Victorian Government for the Food Bowl
Modernisation Project. This will fund Phase One
of the two-phase project. The project once fully
implemented, targets water savings of approximately
450GL by the end of 2015. The first 225GL will be
split ⅓ : ⅓ : ⅓ between Melbourne: Environment:
Irrigators and the rest 50:50 between the
environment and irrigators.
Whilst the Food Bowl Modernisation Project has
specific water savings targets, the modernisation
of irrigation infrastructure also provides long-term
commitment to the region’s industries and will be a
basis for regional growth and renewal.
These major changes in water policy mean that
the SIRCIS and its main delivery programs need to
evolve once again.
Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment
Strategy Programs
• Environment and Biodiversity Programs
• Farm Program
• Tackling Pests Program
• Surface Water Management Program
• Sub-surface Drainage Program
• Monitoring Program
• Program Support
• Research Projects
• Waterways Program
Environment and Biodiversity Programs
Program Goal: To prevent and, where possible
rehabilitate the natural environment of the Region from
loss or serious damage from high watertables and
salinity.
Activities and achievements
Environmental and Tree Growing Projects
The Environmental and Tree Growing Projects
have provided advice to landholders throughout
PROGRAM REPORTS
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