Talking Water - Tuesday 16 May, 2023
This week's contents
Operations
- Draining commenced
- S&D - fill dams now
- 2023 Winter Works
- Safety over winter
- Water Delivery Performance
- Talking Water data to 16/5/2023
Business
- Sponsorship program
- Job vacancies
Industry
- Indicative allocation for 2023-24
- Natural Hazards workshop
- Metering virtual marketplace
- Non-urban metering session
- MDBA regional water conference
- 2024 Nuffield scholarships open
Operational Update
2023 Maintenance areas – draining commenced
The 2023 Winter Works program has ramped up this week, with all maintenance areas now in draining mode. These areas will not have guaranteed deliveries over the winter works period.
For areas not closed for maintenance, the guaranteed delivery dates can be found by clicking the button below and you can review how we deliver in our Season Operating Plan.
Stock & Domestic – time running out to fill your dams
Water may not be available over winter for stock and domestic supplies because:
1. you are in an area closed for maintenance, or
2. levels in your channel section may not be high enough to allow water delivery.
We encourage you to fill your dams now to ensure you have adequate water supplies through until August.
2023 Winter maintenance activities
Works to be completed in the maintenance areas include:
· 174 regulator or offtake concrete remedial works,
· 132 civil and mechanical repairs and upgrades,
· 218 slip meter outlet cleans,
· 260km of channel de-silting, and
· 138 erosion control jobs on structures.
In preparation for the commencement of work, briefings for our field team and around 60 contractors were held in early May covering the schedule, activities, and safety requirements.
Activities are also well underway in the field including clearing and grading for channel de-silting and import of materials.
If you want to discuss this year’s program, call us on 1300 138 265 or email us at customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au.
You can check your Operational Area via the “My Outlets” tab in your Customer Portal, as shown above.
Safety over winter
Our team triples over winter to deliver more than $8 million worth of maintenance and asset upgrades over a 10-week period from June until August.
The works are critical to the effective functioning of our channel network during the irrigation season.
Works will increase heavy machinery activity and vehicle movements across the Murray Irrigation footprint, particularly near channels.
Please be aware of any safety signage and adhere to any changed road conditions, especially during foggy, wet, or rainy conditions.
As noted in our Work Health and Safety Policy, Murray Irrigation is committed to the safety, health and wellbeing of all people involved in our business.
This includes for the community, road users and the landholdings where our works are planned.
Performing our winter works safely is our highest aim. Our safety record bears this out and is a key focus in our planning and delivery of the works.
Please let us know if you have any concerns or report any issues by calling us on 1300 138 265.
Water Delivery Performance 8/05/2023 - 14/05/2023
Talking Water data 16/05/2023
All the detailed data for Murray Irrigation allocations, delivery, channel flow and Water Exchange temporary trade data is available on our company web page below.
To see the latest data for Murray system storages and rivers, visit the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's River data page.
Business Update
Murray Irrigation Annual Sponsorship Program
We’re inviting local community groups to submit applications for our 2023 Community Sponsorship Program by 29 May.
Our annual grants initiative supports a broad range of projects and activities that promote community participation, safety and wellbeing across our service footprint.
It’s a great way for us to support and celebrate some of the wonderful community-driven initiatives that are happening in our region.
Applications can be downloaded from our company webpage via the link below.
We can't wait to hear from you!
Want to work for Murray Irrigation?
We've currently got a number of amazing job opportunities at Murray Irrigation.
If you're looking for a career change, love working in a fast-paced environment with a supportive team and opportunity for career progression we'd love to hear from you.
You can view all our current vacancies on our website.
Industry News
DPE final indicative allocation for 2023-24
The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) released a Water Allocation Statement yesterday, noting indicative allocation for 2023-24 “… is likely to be a commencing general security allocation of around 50% of entitlement.”
The DPE advises that the next water allocation statement will be published on Saturday 1 July 2023.
Workshop to help Navigate Natural Hazards: Moama 25 May
An interactive workshop to help farmers and small business manage the financial impact of natural disasters is being held on Thursday, 25 May from 8.15am until 12.30pm at the Moama Bowling Club.
Come and learn how to develop your personalised risk management plan for your business from experienced agricultural and risk management consultant, David Brown.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) NSW is running the workshop with funds provided by the Australian and NSW Governments.
Metering and Measurement Virtual Marketplace
The NSW Government has developed the Metering and Measurement Virtual Marketplace to help water users find duly qualified people (installers) and suppliers of non-urban metering and floodplain harvesting measurement equipment in their local area.
Non-urban metering information session: Deniliquin 17 May
The Department of Planning and Environment's Water group is holding a series of information sessions about the non-urban metering framework in the southern inland region.
There will be a session in Deniliquin on 17 May at the Deniliquin RSL Club, from 10.00am.
Water users are invited to come along to find out about the new requirements, what they mean to you, and what you need to do to comply.
MDBA regional water conference
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is hosting its annual regional water conference, River Reflections, on 14 and 15 June.
Tickets are on sale to attend in person in Narrabri, NSW. You can also attend most sessions online via live streaming at no cost.
2024 Nuffield Scholarships now open
Nuffield Australia is awarding up to 20 scholarships to farmers this year, valued at $35,000 each.
These scholarships give Australian farmers the opportunity to study farming practices in New Zealand, Europe, and the Americas, and to share their findings to increase practical farming knowledge and management skills and techniques for drought and resilience, across cotton, grains, dairy, wool, and horticulture.
Applications are open now to Australian citizens, typically aged between 28-45, who are engaged in farming, horticulture, fishing, or associated industries - and close on Friday, 9 June 2023.
