Irrigation Network Renewal
The Project involved real-time monitoring and control of flows, lining the main channel, installing sprinkler and drip irrigation system and a central data repository of irrigation system flows and abstractions. The water entitlement aspect of the project was developed to help transition from inefficient practices and low value crops to efficient practices and higher valued crops, improving the overall economic productivity of the GMID.
At a project cost of US$1.29 billion, funded in large part by the Government of Victoria, the project succeeded in improving the channel’s water supply efficiency from 79 percent to 92 percent, based on volumes of water delivered. In terms of water withdrawal in agriculture, it managed a notable reduction of 204,387,000m3 due to reduced evaporative losses and reduced return flow.