Board News
Change of government: what does it mean? The Board will discuss the change of government and what implications there may be for the industry and members. IAL will be seeking a meeting with relevant ministers (along with many others no doubt) in due course.
IAL info. Contact the IAL national office for information about Irrigation Australia. Your IAL interim board members are:
| Stephen Mills – chair |
Peter Toome – vice chair |
Peter Boettcher |
| Colin Campbell |
Russell Cooper |
Matthew Durack |
| Stewart Ellis |
Elaine Gardiner |
Trevor Guest |
| Karen Murday |
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Rod Carr from the Department of Environment and Water Resources is the government observer and Des Horton and Tony Oaks have been co-opted until the new constitution is finalised.
New website for IAL. Have you checked out the IAL’s new website? Your one-stop reference for information on IAL activities, news, what’s happening and who’s who in irrigation www.irrigation.org.au
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
News on activities from regional committees around Australia. You can keep up with IAL and industry news in your area and have your say about the future of your industry by attending local events and meetings. Brief reports of regional are given below. Contact your region to see how you can get involved or contact the IAL head office to find your local IAL regional representative.
NT. For information on activities in NT or to get involved with the local committee, contact Peter Giles at Oasis Irrigation, phone 08 8932 4141, email petergiles@oasisirrigation.com.au
South Australia. Next meeting is 11 December, 3.30 pm at Urrbrae Horticultural Centre, Rm R.01. Note there will be no committee meeting in January. For information contact Noel Johnston, email noel.johnston@samdnrmb.sa.gov.au
The October regional committee meeting was followed by a really successful media night, attended by more than 50 people attended, including radio, television and newspaper representatives as well as landscapers, garden centre’s and irrigation installers and suppliers were also present on the evening. Presentations were given by Craig Wright, Peter Toome, Ian Atkinson and Peter Le Riche. Special thanks to Philmac, H.R., Hunter, Toro, Netafim, Agrilink, and Underhill who took the trouble to support the event with exhibits.
South East Queensland. Next meeting is Tuesday 11 December at Landcentre, Woolloongabba starting at 5.15 pm. Please come along and have your say. For information contact the secretariat, phone 0413 334 679, email secy.seq@irrigation.org.au.
Darling Downs. For information about the next meeting and regional activities, contact David Wigginton, phone 07 48311711, mobile 0427 789 498, email wiggind@usq.edu.au
Northwest NSW. Next official committee meeting will be in February. The committee is looking to organise a local launch mid-December of the popular publication, Guidelines for Ring Tank Storages, which has been revised. For information about the next meeting contact Peter Taylor, email ptaylor@smk.com.au
Mining is growing as an industry in the region, and the regional committee recently toured a local coal mine in the region where it discussed development issues and constraints in relation to water availability and irrigation.
North Queensland. Date of next meeting to be advised. For information about the committee’s activities contact Barbara Moloney, phone 07 4721 5811, email barbara.moloney@irrigation.org.au
Melbourne. For information about the region’s next meeting contact Des Horton, phone 03 9313 8508, email dhorton@citywestwater.com.au
Western Australia. The next State Executive meeting will be held at 7:30am Tuesday 18 December at the Metro Inn, South Perth. For more information on WA activities contact Doug Hall, phone 08 9474 9089, mobile 0407 701 513, or email doug.hall@irrigation.org.au.
MEMBERSHIP
The formation of irrigation Australia Limited is an exciting development for members of the IAA and ANCID. Your membership will be automatically transferred to the new organisation. Membership renewals will be sent out in June 2008 for a new financial year membership cycle. It is also an ideal time to encourage colleagues, customers, suppliers and even competitors to join the new body and support the Australian irrigation industry in these challenging times. For a membership application form go to www.irrigation.org.au.
Welcome to new members for November:
Steven Farrell, Roma Street Parkland, BRISBANE, QLD
Dan Berry, State Water Corporation, DUBBO, NSW
Chris Shorey, Tyco Environmental Systems, MILPERRA, NSW
Sam Rinaudo, Abbeydale Developments Pty Ltd, MYRTLEFORD, VIC
Stewart Dunlop, Watervation Pty Ltd, ROCKHAMPTON, QLD
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Metering certification scheme. IAL was recently appointed by DEWR to develop a certification scheme for people who will select, install, maintain and verify meters for non-urban irrigation metering. Alison Carmichael will manage this project, running it concurrently with the existing certification program under the guidance of the Metering Expert Group convened by DEWR. Peter Toome, IAL Deputy Chair and Bill Heslop of Goulburn-Murray Water are both members of this group. This is a good example of the high regard IAL, with the combined membership and expertise of the former IAA and ANCID, is held in by government and the value its professional staff can add to members by ensuring direct and realistic input into important policy and regulatory initiatives. Where possible the new scheme will be based on the water services training package. Alison is interested in talking to people who have an interest in rural metering. For more information contact Alison, email alison.carmichael@irrigation.org.au
Irrigation Efficiency Training Course dates 2008. Check the IAL website for dates for 2008 courses. For information contact Catherine Parbery, phone 02 9476 0142, email catherine.parbery@irrigation.org.au
Cert. III in Irrigation in Sydney. Ryde TAFE will be conducting a part-time Certificate III in Irrigation over two semesters in 2008. Cost is $654. Semester 1: Monday 3:30 – 10:00 pm + one Saturday; Semester 2: Wednesday 6:00 – 10:00 pm + 3.00 – 6.00 pm Saturdays. Registrations at Ryde TAFE, Banksia Building 1.00 – 7.00 pm Friday 1 February or Monday 4 February 2008. For details contact Judy Bates, phone 02 9448 6383, email judith.bates@tafensw.edu.au
CID exams advance notice. The next round of CID exams will be held 20 February 2008 in each capital city around Australia. For information contact Catherine Parbery, IAL head office, phone 02 9476 0142, email certification@irrigation.org.au
National industry recognition; something for everyone. In 2006 your association expanded its certification program for irrigation practitioners who are dedicated to best practice and supporting sustainable water use. Certification is now offered to irrigation managers, operators, contractors, installers, retailers and agronomists. Take advantage of $100 application fee until 30 March 2008. Certification applications received before 30 March will need to be accompanied by $100; after that the fee of $200 will apply. For information go to http://www.irrigation.org.au/ci_moci.html
Urban Best Management Practice Guidelines. The essential guide for the commercial irrigation sector. Your concise guide to best management practice for designing, installing, maintaining, and operating irrigation systems in an urban setting. The Guidelines now include a handy checklist for assessing system compliance. Get your copy now from the IAL: $22.00 inc. GST for members and $33.00 inc. GST for non members. Call 02 9476 0142 to order your copy. A simpler document aimed at the home gardener has also been produced. This would be suitable for IAL members to distribute to the general public and domestic customers and a print ready version can be downloaded from the IAL website at http://www.irrigation.org.au/download/standards/Home%20Gardener%20FINAL%20web.pdf
CGS Groundwater short courses. For information on courses go to www.groundwater.com.au
AWARDS
MacLean Iedema Award nominations. Every two years, coinciding with Irrigation Australia the MacLean Iedema Award is presented to an individual or group making a significant contribution to irrigation in Australia. Nominations are now open for this prestigious award. Nomination forms and further information are on the IAL website.
Photo competition. For those of you who can’t resist taking irrigation photos, here’s your opportunity for fame (and a bit of fortune). Entries are open for the IAL’s 2008 photo competition, sponsored by Irrigear. Four categories: irrigation and people, irrigation and the environment, irrigation efficiency – rural, and irrigation efficiency – urban. For an entry form go to http://tinyurl.com/2ky98t
Next Big Thing. Entries are now open for the Next Big Thing Award 2008. This annual event is a nation-wide competition to find, showcase and award leading-edge new Australian innovations – new ideas with the potential to become the 'next big thing'. Winners receive over $50,000 in cash and prizes plus valuable media exposure. For information visit www.innovic.com.au
AROUND INDUSTRY
Federal government priorities. An ALP statement released 20 November outlined its key commitments on water as follows:
- invest $1 billion in urban desalination, water recycling and stormwater capture projects that are consistent with environmental best practice and are carbon neutral
- invest $250 million modernising and repairing existing water systems and infrastructure in towns and cities
- establish a national target of recycling 30% of wastewater by 2015
- invest $250 million in direct rebates for rainwater tanks and grey water systems in households
- give households low interest green loans of $10,000 so they can more easily install water and energy efficient products, such as rainwater tanks and solar hot water
- work with industry, farmers and community groups to return water to rivers and conserve water in towns and cities
- bring forward $400 million under the National Plan for Water Security to fast-track improvements in water efficiency, significantly invest in key water infrastructure projects and address over-allocation.
Xenophon makes River Murray a priority. Xenophon makes River Murray a priority. Newly elected SA independent Senator, Nick Xenophon, who will take his place in the Senate next July, says that the most critical issue facing SA was water. Underlining this, his first action after the election was the visit irrigators in the Riverland, where he stated that a national water plan that ensured the survival of farms on the River Murray was a priority. Nick Xenophon says he is determined to use his power in the Senate to bring water back into South
River Murray drying up. Peter Cullen warned last month that the Murray-Darling is drying out. While this would seem to be a statement of the obvious, what he was saying is that this isn’t a short term issue. As a result of climate change and increasing competition for water from urban users as well as electricity generation, supply will become even more variable. The MDBC says that there is more than a 75% chance that the amount of water available next July would be less than this year. Earlier this year, in July, allocations were zero for the River Murray, and while they are still zero for NSW, they have gone up recently to 20% on the Victorian side of the river and 22% in South Australia.
Unhealthy gums. A report by MDBC has found that 76% of the vegetation in the national park at Hattah Lakes, near Mildura, was in a poor to degraded condition. This backs up another report, commissioned by the Victorian Government, that 54% of red gum forests along the Murray River are deteriorating while 16% is identified as “poor to dead”.
Pipe sizes not negotiable. Melbourne Water has confirmed that pipe sizes for the Sugarloaf Pipeline will not be changed. The largest outer diameter pipe will be 1.75 m for the section of pipeline north of the Great Dividing Range, while south of the range the pipe will be 1.4 m. While some locals on the Goulburn River system in Victoria have been voicing concerns that the pipeline will result in less water being available to irrigators, the project managers confirm that the pipeline will save 225 billion litres of water that would otherwise have been lost to seepage and evaporation, which will be divided between irrigators, the environment and Melbourne. For information go to website
SA allocations increased. SA Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, announced last month that allocations for 2007-08 would increase to 22% from December 1, based on the latest assessment from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. An increase in available water across the basin due to better inflows than previously forecast and more water released from the Snowy Mountains Scheme is the reason for the increase. For more information go to website
Releases from Dartmouth Reservoir increased. MDBC planned to gradually increased releases from Dartmouth Reservoir in October and November to meet growing demand for water along the River Murray System. In October releases were to grow from 200 ML/day to 500 ML/day while from mid November higher rates using a variable flow pattern from 1 500 ML/day to 5 000 ML/day were planned. MDBC said that Dartmouth was at 18% capacity and if it stays dry to will fall to 13% by early January. If extreme dry conditions persist through early 2008, levels will continue to drop towards the minimum operating level by May. For the latest information on Murray River operations go to www.mdbc.gov..au/rmw/river_information_centre
Survey studies irrigators’ economic issues. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) began a survey of irrigators in the Murray Darling Basin 10 October to gather information about the profitability of irrigation regions and the issues faced by irrigators. The survey is looking for information on irrigated agricultural production, the financial situation of irrigators, and the issues faced in maintaining farm profitability. According to ABARE, the survey is an important first step in addressing the issues facing irrigators. Results for 2006-07 will provide a base period for examining future trends in industry performance. Survey results are expected to be released in June 2008.
French company buys Hardi. A report in The Australian in November announced that Auriga Industires has sold Hardi International and subsidiaries, including Hardi Australia, to Exel Industries. Exel, a French-based group with a turnover of $505 million, manufactures and distributes spray equipment while Hardi International has a turnover of $225m and has about 1000 employees with subsidiaries in nine countries. The merged companies will be the world’s largest spraying specialists.
Guidelines and Ring Tank Storages revised. The updated Guidelines and Ring Tank Storages has now been completed and is available at website. This has been an 18-month project run in conjunction with the Darling Downs Committee and many other supporters.
JOB SPOT
Irrigation Sales. A leading manufacturer in irrigation has an opportunity for an energetic, motivated person to join a well established national sales team to service the current dealer network across industrial and municipal markets and identify and develop new opportunities for the business. Based in Melbourne, you will work with a wide variety of customers including dealers, contractors, consultants and government bodies to promote products and educate and train customers and end users in product application, installation and use. Exceptional communication and presentation skills, sales experience in the landscape or irrigation industries and a good understanding of irrigation products and systems are a must. A relevant tertiary qualification will be an advantage. This role offers an excellent opportunity to lead growth in a growing and captive market. An attractive remuneration package including a fully maintained company car and commission structure will be offered to attract a high achiever. For more information contact Simon Nardo, phone 03 9825 4131 or send your application in WORD format to snardo@tannermenzies.com. Confidentiality is assured.
PEOPLE
Australian editor for ICID journal. Congratulations to Dr Hector Malano on his appointment as editor if the ICID journal. It is a significant honour both for Hector and IAL.
FOR THE DIARY
Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition 2008. To be held 20 – 22 May 2008 at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The biennial event is off to a terrific start with 70% of exhibition space already booked. Jolyon Burnett, IAL CEO, says that the National Plan for Water Security is a great opportunity for the irrigation industry to demonstrate that it uses smart technology and we have the most efficient systems. For bookings or information, contact Event Manager Robby Clark, phone 02 9556 7992, email irrigation@eft.com.au or visit the website www.irrigationaustralia.com.au
Cert. III in Irrigation in Sydney. Ryde TAFE will be conducting a part-time Certificate III in Irrigation over two semesters in 2008. Cost is $654. Semester 1: Monday 3:30 – 10:00 pm + one Saturday; Semester 2: Wednesday 6:00 – 10:00 pm + 3.00 – 6.00 pm Saturdays. Registrations at Ryde TAFE, Banksia Building 1.00 – 7.00 pm Friday 1 February or Monday 4 February 2008. For details contact Judy Bates, phone 02 9448 6383, email judith.bates@tafensw.edu.au
CGS Groundwater short courses. For information on courses go to www.groundwater.com.au
SMART APPROVED WATERMARK UPDATE
The Smart WaterMark consumer awareness campaign is now well underway following the launch of www.smartwatermark.org in National Water Week. The web site now includes a video of the Garden Guru’s Smart WaterMark piece broadcast nationally. A program of activities to promote the scheme across Australia will continue over spring and summer with events already held in SA, NSW, Victoria and WA. The Smart WaterMark retail pack has been distributed to around 120 nurseries and garden centres. New consumer leaflets have been widely distributed including through water utilities, government departments and Smart WaterMark certificate holders along with over 180 Bunnings Stores nationwide. If you would like a copy of the retail information pack or our consumer leaflets please phone 02 9290 3322 or email marketing@smartwatermark.info or call.
HANDY LINKS
- The second edition of IAL’s Guidelines for Ring Tank Storages has been released and is available online. The guidelines bring the latest information on correct construction techniques, up-to-date information on maintenance, and a new section on responding to failure. To download the guidelines go to website
- Check out the online Water Education Resource Hub, an initiative of the NSW Government’s inter-agency Metro Water Education Group, which includes the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney Catchment Authority and Sydney Water. The resource is designed to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for everything to do with water education.
- Three water scenarios for 2025 have been developed by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development. Check them out at www.wbcsd.org/DocRoot/Q87vukbkb5fNnpbkbLUu/h20-scenarios.pdf
REGIONAL COMMITTEE CONTACTS
North Queensland
Geoff Chaillon
gchallion@typac.com.au
Darling Downs
David Wigginton
wiggind@usq.edu.au
South East Queensland
Lindsay Peel
ljpeel@bigpond.com
NSW North West
Peter Taylor
ptaylor@smk.com.au
Sydney
Pat O’Shannessy
patrick.oshannessy@toro.com
Central and Far West NSW
Ken Rogers
ken.rogers@dubbo.nsw.gov.au
Melbourne
Des Horton
dhorton@citywestwater.com.au
South Australia
Craig Wright
craigw@philmac.com.au
Western Australia
Greg Stewart
greg@totaleden.com.au
Northern Territory
Peter Giles
petergiles@oasisirrigation.com.au
ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
Backwash is a monthly newsletter published by Irrigation Australia reporting on developments in the irrigation and related industries. For more information or to contribute article ideas contact anne@naturallyresourceful.com.au
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