"Collaboration and Innovation for Irrigation"
Welcome to the Water Technology Cluster Web-site! If you wish to go on the email distribution list for the WTC web-site & news updates, or have any feedback please contact Bruce at info@watertechnologycluster.com.au
► For latest news relevant to the Cluster scroll down to "LATEST NEWS" below.
**CLUSTER MEETING AUGUST 10TH 2010 11AM IN ECHUCA: Port of Echuca Motel
►FOR WEB SITE MAP: CLICK >>>> Click for Site-Map (Updated 3/2010)
STOP PRESS: Details in 'Latest News' below... *** Guide for MDBA Basin Plan release is delayed due to election *** Message from Penny Wong onMurray Darling submission *** Cluster meeting August 10, Echuca. *** Water technology Seminar Melbourne 28 July. ***Bureau of Meteorology and DPI joint seminars on August 5: subject Evapotranspiration MORE INFO? SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LATEST NEWS BELOW.
See further images from meetings in "Who We Are" in the meetings area
The Water Technology Cluster is a partnership between a range of regionally focussed organisations. They are collaborating to help improve the effective and efficient use of water within the irrigation industry. This collaboration will help the sustainable regional development of the irrigation area and its communities. Cluster members are represented from private business, local government, education, government agencies, government authorities, research and development, industry organisations and irrigators.
Cluster Vision. The Goulburn Murray to be known as the water technology capital of Australia: where businesses are attracted to profit from mutual support in order to collaborate, innovate and invest, and to export ideas and technology. Cluster Mission. To provide a collaborative forum to engage, facilitate, educate and lead: where knowledge and expertise is shared so regional businesses, organisations, communities and irrigators can create and develop water technology opportunities for the sustainability of future generations. The Cluster will thereby add significant value to the government and community investment in irrigation modernisation.
Congratulations from Minister Jacinta Allan 
Jacinta Allan
Minister for Regional & Rural Development
"Irrigated agriculture is crucial to the development and competitiveness of Provincial Victoria. The Brumby Government’s investment in the Foodbowl demonstrates strong support for this industry and significant efficiencies will be achieved both on-farm and in the form of public infrastructure. 
A vast array of water technology businesses across the Goulburn Murray region is crucial to the progress and efficiency of irrigated agriculture.
In September 2007 I announced Victorian Government funding of $150,000 to help establish the Water Technology Cluster in the Goulburn Murray region. This was to build relationships across a complex range of organisations interested in applying knowledge and technology to achieving efficiencies for the ultimate benefit of businesses and communities in the region. This phase followed significant feasibility work by regional businesses, shires, education and agencies, supported by Regional Development Victoria.
Significant progress has been made in developing the Cluster, with the establishment of this web-site for the use of the water technology sector and customers from the irrigation industry.
On behalf of the Brumby Government I congratulate everyone involved in the establishment and development of the Water Technology Cluster. I wish you success in building a competitive future for irrigated agriculture and its crucial support industries."
Minister for Regional & Rural Development
This web-site is dedicated to the late Ken Sampson and the great legacy he has left us in this region. Stay tuned for updates about plans for an enduring 'memorial' to Ken and his work. KEN SAMPSON 1950-2009: a true believer in partnerships and irrigated agriculture.
►See announcement in 'Latest News' on the irrigation region scholarship and the related appeal. ►Also see details of Ken's posthumous award of the Maclean Iedema Award by Irrigation Australia Limited on June 9 2010.►See photo below of Maree Sampson receiving the Award.
'LATEST NEWS'
►Bureau of Meteorology and DPI joint seminars on August 5: subject Evapo-transpiration.
Three related one-hour seminars will be held on August 5:
12 noon for public; 1.30 pm for service providers by appointment; and 8pm for farmers and service providers.
See details in flyer below.
►MDBA Guide to the Basin Plan release to be deferred
The Murray Darling Basin Authority has announced that it has decided to delay release of the Guide to the upcoming draft Basin Plan. It has decided to do this consistent with the protocols associated with the caretaker period during the federal elelction campaign.
It is hoped the process can get started again in August.
►Next Cluster Meeting: August 10, 2010 Echuca: 11am to 2pm: venue to be confirmed. On the agenda will be a report on the Cluster's RDV funded WaterSync research project findings and recommendations by Bruce Cumming and the DPI project team. Also on the agenda will be progress on Incorporation and a couple of other important issues for Cluster members.
► Seminar: exporting water technologies from Australia. July 28 1.30 pm, Melbourne.
Hear from people with experience in accessing export markets with a particular focus on Water Technology.
Overview: Australian water technology companies are highly regarded for providing quality products and services. In Australia, we benefit from having a climate similar to regions in the Middle East and the USA. Overseas companies are beginning to realise the value of using Australian companies on their water projects. A few Victorian water companies will share some of their experiences in getting a foot hold into international markets. HLB Mann Judd is proud to present a seminar to assist SMEs to export.
Date: 28 July 2010 Time 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Venue: Level 1, 160 Queen Street Melbourne
RSVP: 21 July 2010 to Ben Cusack bcusack@hlbvic.com.au or 03 9606 3324
Venue: Level 1, 160 Queen Street Melbourne
RSVP: 21 July 2010 to Ben Cusack bcusack@hlbvic.com.au or 03 9606 3324
► MORE CONSULTATION FOR BASIN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE RULES: Message from Minister Penny Wong
A further consultation period will give stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the new water infrastructure charge rules proposed for the Murray Darling Basin. The water infrastructure charge rules aim to promote greater transparency in setting fees and charges levied on the operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure. The rules will help to ensure that fees and charges payable to operators for water services do not exceed levels required to recover costs.
Following advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Minister for Water Senator Penny Wong announced her intention to make the rules. “These water charge rules will mean greater transparency and consistency in the way fees and charges are levied across the Basin," Senator Wong said. The advice provided by the ACCC on the water infrastructure charge rules and accreditation of state regulators has been carefully considered by the Government.
The Government intends to adopt the ACCC’s recommended three-tiered approach to the regulation of water infrastructure operators in the Basin. The proposed rules also provide for the accreditation of state regulators to undertake price approvals or determinations. However, the Government has indicated that it proposes to make a number of changes to the ACCC’s draft rules. For this reason, a further consultation period will be held on the proposed rules.
Submissions should be lodged by 10 September 2010. Information about the water infrastructure charge rules and how to make a submission can be found at: www.environment.gov.au/water
►Article published on Maclean-Iedema Irrigation Australia Award presentation:
Click Here for an article kindly published in the Country News on the Award posthumously awarded to Ken Sampson by Irrigation Australia. http://www.countrynews.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=201006282618972
► Additional consultation on draft Murray-Darling Basin Plan: new Guide to the Plan out in August
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority will hold an additional stage of consultation on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, before release of the proposed plan later this year. As part of increasing the effectiveness of the consultation, the MDBA will launch a new Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan. MDBA Chair Mike Taylor said that given the importance of community feedback the comprehensive guide will be launched in August and "will enable people to see all the details of what is being proposed in plain English and to build a good understanding of the issues. In addition, it will give interested parties the opportunity to provide us with feedback ahead of the release of the Proposed Basin Plan later in the year.”
The guide will feature key content of the Proposed Basin Plan including: proposed Sustainable Diversion Limits on water use; environmental watering requirements; the minimum supply of water required to meet critical human water needs; water quality and salinity objectives; and separate, detailed guides for each of the Basin’s 19 catchments. CLICK here for PDF of MDBA media release on consultation process CLICK here for PDF of MDBA Introduction to Basin Plan process
► Farm Water Program: GBCMA selects projects from EOI expression of intent process.
Following the receipt of Expressions of Intent (EOIs) for the region's $25.8 million Farm Water Program, projects have been selected for inclusion into a Business Plan to be submitted to the Australian Government for assessment. GBCMA received 179 eligible EOIs, totalling more than $40 million. Funding sought for the improved flood irrigation component exceeded the $22 million available for this activity," Chris Norman GBCMA CEO said. "Therefore, a ballot of eligible EOIs was conducted on 1 June 2010 to select projects for inclusion in the Farm Water Program Business Plan. Irrigators who are interested in Round 2 and do not have a Whole Farm Plan should develop one as soon as possible."
► Water Technology Cluster takes next step to Incorporating at June Cluster Meeting:
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The Cluster has formally triggered the next step in getting Incorprated Status in Numurkah on June 16. Three key motions were passed at the meeting: 1. The Cluster will formally adopt "Water Technology Cluster" as its entity name. 2. The Statement of Purpose for the Cluster will be the Vision, Mission and Terms of Reference which can be found on this web-site. 3. Greg Laidlaw was given the Authorisation to proceed with the application for incorporated status. Roger Wrigley was selected to continue on as the chair of the Cluster as it moves into its next phase.
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Wendy Buck presented a report on the successful Irrigation Expo held in May. Click on the Irrigation Expo tab at right to view images from the Expo. Dennis Santamaria who was on the Expo organising committee raised the idea of setting up an Events Committee. This Cluster sub-committee will coordinate the 2011 Expo. It will also jointly develop and run other events like field days, doing this in cooperation with key Cluster partners in particular DPI, NVIRP, GMW and the CMA.
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Bruce Cumming gave an update of the Cluster's WaterSync research project which is funded by Regional Development Victoria. Bruce is working with the DPI Practice Change Research Team and discussed interim findings and observations. This part of the project is focussing on changes adopted by farmers following modernisation. It is getting a better understanding of the range of things farmers do on their farms in response to the changes triggered by the modernisation process, and the factors affecting those choices. In the process it is identifying the type and mix of products and services irrigators are likely to need from Cluster members in the future as modernisation progresses .
CLICK HERE for June 2010 Cluster meeting notes
► New Report Released: Intercepted water use report from National Water Commission.
The National Water Commission has released Australia's first ever nation-wide baseline assessment of water interception activities, calling for all Australian governments to take action on this critical issue.The Surface and/or groundwater interception activities: initial estimates report shows that the total volume of water unaccounted for as a result of land use activities outside our current water entitlement regimes and planning frameworks equates to almost one quarter of all the entitled water on issue in Australia. A combined annual volume of 5600 gigalitres is intercepted, with forestry plantations using approximately 2000 gigalitres a year (GL/yr), farm dams 1600 GL/yr, stock and domestic activities 1100 GL/yr, and overland flows (floodplain harvesting) on average 900 GL/yr.
This report documents: 1. the location of significant intercepting activities that fall outside the current entitlement framework. 2. the potential rate of expansion of each activity over various time periods. 3. estimates of water usage of each activity in water management areas used in the Australian Water Resources 2005 report. The report also includes a definition and description of activities that intercept surface water and groundwater. It identified the these activities for further analysis: overland flows; farm dams; stock and domestic bores; plantations; peri-urban development. CLICK HERE FOR Exec Summary of NWC Interceptions report June 2010 For download of full report CLICK HERE www.nwc.gov.au/resources/documents/No_30_June_2010_Surface_and_or_groundwater_interception_activities.pdf
► National Water Commissioner Report on Water Trading
National Water Commissioner, Mr Laurie Arthur, has released Impacts of water trading in the southern Murray-Darling Basin. The report documents that water trading is providing significant economic, social and environmental benefits across the southern Basin. It includes an assessment of the impacts of water trading from 1998-99 to 2008-09-a decade marked by severe and prolonged drought.
Mr Arthur says that the report 'demonstrates that water trading is a major success story for water reform in Australia. Without the ability to trade water, the impacts of drought in the region would have been much worse-for both individuals and rural communities. Participation in water markets has given irrigators much needed flexibility in how they run their farm businesses during tough times-helping them to improve cash flow, retire debt and manage risk.' CLICK for PDF summary of National Water Commission Report on Water Trading
CLICK for PDF of Cover and Contents pages Water trading report
To download full report Click on http://www.nwc.gov.au/www/html/2816-impacts-of-water-trading-in-the-southern-murraydarling-basin.asp?intSiteID=1
► Victorian Auditor-General Report on Modernisation Now Available:
the Auditor General's Office has released the results of an audit into Irrigation Modernisation. The report Irrigation Efficiency Programs is available on their web-site or can be purchased in hard copy for $20.00. Click here for PDF links to the full report and to a summary.
http://download.audit.vic.gov.au/files/09062010_Irrigation_Full_Report.pdf
Click here for PDF of Vic Auditor General Summary on Irrigation Efficency Programs
►Ken Sampson wins prestigious Award. Ken Sampson has been posthumously awarded the prestigious Maclean-Iedema Award.
This Award is given by Irrigation Australia Limited every two years to someone who has made a very significant contribution over an extended period to the irrigation industry. The Award was announced at the Irrigation Australia Conference Dinner at Darling Harbour in Sydney on June 9.
Maree Sampson, Ken's widow, accepted the Award, and Steve Mills chair of GMW spoke eloquently about Ken's contribution to the Irrigation Industry over many years. The submission for the award was forwarded on behalf of the Sampson Leadership Trust by Bruce Cumming. A copy of the support material for the citation is on the web-site for general viewing. CLICK here for PDF of Sampson Citation for Maclean Iedema National Award It includes support statements from Michael Taylor of the Murray Darling Basin Authority and Steve Mills Chair of Goulburn Murray Water.
The Award Criteria: Commitment – An outstanding record of commitment to the development of their industry. Contribution – The recipient will be judged to have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the industry. Performance – The performance of the individual should be deemed exceptional. Persistence – The performance will have been sustained over an extended period of time. The Extra Mile – The performance of the individual will extend well beyond the normal demands of the person’s occupation, profession or position within the industry.
►The WTC 2011 Irrigation Expo will be on the 18th and 19th May 2011 at Echuca Racecourse for further info contact Wendy Buck Expo Chair on 0438 052630 or expo@misg.com.au - see you there.
► Announcement: Ken Sampson memorial trust to provide scholarships in irrigation region:appeal opened April 14:.
After the sudden and tragic loss of Ken Sampson in October 2009 a group of his friends has banded together to set up a trust in his memory. After much planning a Trust has been set up to oversee the awarding of scholarships on an annual basis within the irrigation region. Ken was a strong supporter of development of young people in many ways, and had community involvement and development at the top of his priorities as shown by his life's work. The scholarship process is consistent with Ken's unselfish ideals, and his interest in a sustainable irrigation industry.
There is now an opportunity to contribute to this important appeal. The appeal was formally launched on Wednesday April 14 with John Dainton as the chair of the appeal. The target is to raise over $100,000 to allow the awarding of a perpetual scholarship.
Please consider a personal, and a corporate contribution to the appeal. For further information on how you can support this new scholarship appeal for the irrigation region, email Bruce on info@watertechnologycluster.com.au
Click here for background info on Sampson Leadership Trust
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