Projects in development (Developmental Register)

Recovering Water for the Environment -The Shepparton Irrigation District Total Channel Control Project

Above: Outfall channel in Shepparton Irrigation Area (East Goulburn Main)

This project investigated the potential water savings, and the costs of achieving these, that could be delivered to the River Murray System through the implementation of Total Channel ControlTM in the Shepparton Irrigation District.

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Further investigation to list Shepparton Irrigation Area Water Saving Project on the Living Murray Developmental Register

This project will build on previous work which looked at installing channel automation within the Shepparton Irrigation Area. It will investigate the historical record of system outfalls, and then calculate the long-term average savings achievable through installation of channel automation.

Project Detail:

A pre-feasibility study is now complete for the recovery of water from the Shepparton Irrigation Area through the installation of channel automation technology. (Insert Link here) The study identified an estimated system water saving of 20GL based on 8 years of historic data (1996/97–2003/04). It is proposed that this study reassess the volume of savings over the full period of record to determine the long-term average savings. These savings would be allocated to the environment.It is proposed that the study also assess the changed timing of these releases, compared to uncontrolled outfalls, and determine the impact (if any) on downstream River Murray water users.There are a number of key issues that will affect the amount and value of savings that can be attributed to the project:

identify the relationship between outfalls (including the components outlined above) and seasonal allocation (or other relevant parameter i.e. rainfall);
determine a methodology for measuring the economic value of the benefits of timed release of annual volume of water called from storage; and,
calculate the long term Cap equivalent volumes for outfalls and water savings.

The results from this project will assist the development of the business case for the Shepparton water saving project and its placement on the Living Murray Development Register.

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Pilot Allocation Leaseback Measure project

Another water recovery project in development involves the use of innovative ‘leasebacks’. The inclusion of a ‘leaseback’ makes this pilot different from most other water recovery measures and most trades in the water market.

A leaseback arrangement involves purchasing water entitlements from willing sellers, but returning a portion of the water allocation to the seller under a contract with specific conditions negotiated by the buyer and seller.

A decision about whether this pilot project will proceed is scheduled for consideration at the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s October 2007 meeting.

Ongoing monitoring is included the pilot projects to ensure that they are implemented in a way that will inform any future decisions made regarding purchasing water entitlements.

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Page Last Updated: 14 Oct 2008 09:29