National Program for Sustainable Irrigation - Changing Irrigation Systems and Management in the Harvey Irrigation Area

Changing Irrigation Systems and Management in the Harvey Irrigation Area (DAW45)

Assessing and planning sustainable development opportunities

Principal Investigator	Ken Moore: ph 08 9388 1172/0414 498 981 (mob) Email kenn@boorara.com
Host Organisation	Dept of Agriculture, Baron Hay Court South Perth WA 6152
Issue or Problem to be Addressed	The Harvey Irrigation Area (HIA) located around Harvey in the southwest of WA currently has around 10,000 ha of land under permanent irrigation for dairy farming, beef grazing and horticulture, with a total irrigable area of approx 30,000 ha. The region is presently experiencing some soil salinity problems and produces drainage water that runs to environmentally sensitive estuarine receiving bodies. There is significant pressure on Perth's water supply and there is significant pressure to transfer further water to Perth. It is questionable whether the current levels of groundwater pumping are sustainable.
Objectives	Bring innovation to irrigation systems and agronomy on-farm in the South West Irrigation Area that will increase water use efficiency and farm productivity, and reduce ecological impacts through factors such as water and nutrient seepage to the water table, downstream nutrient run-off and soil structural problems. Demonstrate and document a model of integrated R&D and knowledge management through a strategic alliance that is capable of achieving sustainable irrigation on-farm and extended across the broader farming community and irrigation area with lessons. Develop a learning and information exchange strategy to provide opportunities for SWIA irrigators to learn from other Australian irrigation areas and industries. Demonstrate the energy efficiencies and overall energy balance of a pressurised gravity-fed piped system of irrigation water delivery.
Comment	The essence of Project DAW45 evolved from the initial idea of an on-farm trial comparing centre pivot and surface irrigation; to a demonstration case study of the comparative performance of pivot and surface irrigation; to recognition that the greatest benefits will accrue to farmers and the HWIA by improving the performance of both centre pivot and existing surface irrigation.
Research Timeline	Stage two was completed by July 2006.
Research Partners	Boorara Research and Management, Harvey Water, Horizon Farming WA Pty Ltd, Kuzich & Co. Irrigation Specialists, Dale Hanks Farming Enterprise, Department of Agriculture, WA
Proposed Funding	Funding will not exceed $250,000 from the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation. The final project budget is expected to be at least $500,000.

Final Report February 2006

Milestone Report - End of Stage 1 - February 2004 (PDF File -146Kb)

Notes for Media - February 2004

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