The proposed projects aim to save a combined 12 billion litres of water. Photo: NSW Government.
The NSW Government is calling for feedback on two major water efficiency projects in the Riverina that aim to reduce the need for water buybacks and save a combined 12 billion litres of water.
The community is invited to have its say until Tuesday 15 July.
The two proposed projects include the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Channel Lining and Piping Project (MICLPP)and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Barren Box Efficiency Improvement Project (MIBBEIP), which will receive funding from the Federal Government’s Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program.
The $132.3 million MICLPP will save 5.95 billion litres, with 4.98 billion saved going back to the environment, while the $126.9 million MIBBEIP will see 4.77 billion litres out of the 6 billion litres saved going back to the environment.
The projects build on a program of completed works including supply automation, meter outlet upgrades, stock and domestic pipelines, channel upgrades and system reconfiguration.
The MICLPP will upgrade channels to minimise water loss, on top of regulators, outlets and escapes to enable automated system control and accurate water measurement. The overhaul aims to deliver almost 5 billion litres of environmental water.
At the same time, the MIBBEIP aims to boost efficiency across the Wah Wah Irrigation District, minimising losses at Barren Box Storage and Mirrool Creek while integrating solar generation to extend the system’s operational hours.
Proposed works include upgrading the pump station, regulator and channel capacities, upgrading existing surge reservoir and constructing a new 3.5 GL surge reservoir and installing new solar facilities at pump stations.
Water saved from the proposed projects will contribute to NSW’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan targets.
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Executive Director of Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty hopes these proposals will reduce the need for water buybacks.
“This program is all about providing efficient and effective water delivery to farmers and water users through smart infrastructure upgrades, helping to ensure the health and sustainability of our rivers and waterways,” she said.
“We’re committed to meeting our Murray-Darling Basin Plan obligations in full, and these proposals could help us get there while supporting Riverina communities and businesses and minimising the need for water buybacks, which we do not support.
“We need to take an in-depth look at the proposals and weigh up all the benefits and drawbacks, and community feedback will play an important role in helping us determine which projects will progress to a formal funding application.
“I invite locals to learn more about these project proposals and have their say by 15 July.”
Community feedback will be used to determine whether the projects will progress to a formal funding application to the Federal Government.
Submissions can be made here and will close on 15 July.
