Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Keeping water on the farm in the Murray region
Keeping irrigation water on the farm and re-using it is a key focus for Michael Pisasale in helping to put the Murray Land and Water Management Plan into practice.
As Murray Irrigation Limited's team leader for the Plan, Michael is responsible for progressing an environmental program that encourages economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture.
He works with six other staff across an area of one million hectares containing 2,500 properties, making up about a third of the Murray Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region.
Funding
The Australian and State Governments have put more than $3.6 million towards the Plan. Strong support comes from the Murray CMA.
Australian Government funding is used to provide incentives to irrigators in the Wakool, Berriquin, Cadell and Denimein irrigation areas to adopt sustainable farming practices.
"We inform and update landholders on aspects of farm management," Michael said.
"It's all about farmers taking ownership of and responsibility for the way they manage the landscape, including native vegetation and increasing awareness of biodiversity issues.
"A number of years ago there were serious signs of salinity affecting the region and when salinity comes up it affects everything from crops to native vegetation.
"Recycling and stopping irrigation water accessing the water table - with the aim of preventing salinity - underpins the main thrust of much of the work funded under our Plan."
Activities
Projects for which incentives are provided range from district-wide work to individual on-farm efforts. They include establishing sub-surface and stormwater drainage, farm planning, drainage re-use schemes, irrigation recycling, establishing perennial pastures, protecting native vegetation and research and development.
Workshops and field days funded under the Plan have been well patronised by landholders, with 25 field days held in 2005-06 attracting 1,400 people to learn more about native vegetation, salinity and biodiversity.
"We have excellent support from farmers for the Land and Water Management Plan because it's been developed with close community consultation, and landholders have been actively involved," Michael said.
In 2005-06 the incentives scheme led to the creation of 83 whole farm plans, 69 irrigation recycling systems and 65 recycle storage systems; the protection of 3,745 hectares of native vegetation; and the establishment of 7,261 hectares of perennial vegetation to reduce groundwater recharge.
More information
- Michael Pisasale, Murray Land and Water Management Plan Team Leader: michaelp@murrayirrigation.com.au
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