Irrigation - New South Wales
New South Wales
What is the extent of off-farm infrastructure used to support irrigation in New South Wales?
Irrigation reticulation systems consist of a variety of carriers including, constructed open channels (lined and unlined), natural streams and pipelines (gravity and pressurised to varying degrees). The length of distribution carriers and drainage channels for numerous water supply systems within the State is provided in the table below.
Victoria and New South Wales have the majority of channel carriers, representing 45% and 43% respectively.
| State | Natural Waterways as Carriers (km) | Length of Supply Channel (km) | Length of Supply Pipeline (km) | Length of Stock & Domestic Supply System (km) | Area Serviced by Surface Drains (ha) | Area Serviced by Sub-Surface Drains (ha) | Replacement Value of Assets 1999/2000 ($'m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 0 | 6,931 | 283 | 1,069 | 3,485 | 198 | 1,041,245 |
| Coleambally Irrigation Corporation | 0 | 516 | 0 | 162 | 95,000 | 0 | 128,831 |
| Jemalong Irrigation Limited | 0 | 300 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17,152 |
| Murray Irrigation Limited | 0 | 3,500 | 100 | 0 | 250,000 | 52,000 | 492,600 |
| Murrumbidgee Irrigation Corporation | 0 | 2,050 | 70 | 342 | 0 | 0 | 357,612 |
| West Corurgan | 0 | 565 | 0 | 565 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Western Murray Irrigation Area | 0 | 0 | 113 | 0 | 4,000 | 3,000 | 45,050 |
ANCID 2000
What are the main irrigation methods used in New South Wales?
A range of irrigation methods are used in the State including:
- Flood
- Spray/sprinkle
- Trickle/Drip
- Furrow
There is limited information available on the type of irrigation systems installed on various farms and the resulting environmental and/or production benefits. Available and anecdotal data indicate an increase in the adoption of more efficient water application methods, with the installation of this infrastructure occurring in all Greenfield irrigation districts. The move to more efficient irrigation practices reflects the increasing recognition that water resources are becoming scarcer, with demand for water increasing, and their adoption is a desired outcome for profitability and the environment. More information is required on the extent of adoption of these systems to and observed benefits. It is possible to collect this information as part of the next Australian Bureau of Statistics Agricultural Census.
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