Another key milestone in Victoria’s largest water modernisation project, the Connections Project, has been reached with more than $100 million in critical Winter Works completed across the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID).
The Andrews Labor Government in partnership with Goulburn Murray Water is delivering a series of water-saving pipeline projects to enhance the irrigation district as part of the Connections Project, which is on track to generate 429GL in water savings each year.
Key achievements in this year’s Winter Works program include:
- Upgrading more than 33 kilometres of irrigation channel to fix leaks, seepage and generate water savings
- Installing more than 35 kilometres of pipeline for greater efficiency, improved water connections
- Undertaking works on more than 500 outlets across the irrigation district
- Installing more than 250 channel automation sites
As part of the Winter Works program, there were more than 100 different works and upgrades completed, more than 500 people employed and more than 250,000 hours of work completed.
A new landowner engagement process was used as a part of the works and was designed to simplify processes and to provide more certainty for landowners about the timing of works.
While more work needs to be done on some outstanding cases, the Connections Project is on-track for completion in 2020 – with more than 300 cases between landholders resolved since October last year, allowing more works to be completed.
Landowners are able to see the project’s proposed solution for their channel at connectionsproject.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville
“The Connections Project is delivering an improved water supply to our agricultural communities, modernising the irrigation district and providing a huge boost to local economies.”
“These crucial works are ensuring we deliver an efficient irrigation system that supports irrigators in regional Victoria into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Connections Project Control Group Chair Peter McManamon
“We’re upgrading the delivery network for improved water efficiency for irrigators and to ensure they are getting the infrastructure they need to maximise agriculture production.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020