Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Rose Jackson MLC, NSW Minister for Water
One of Australia's largest irrigation companies has completed a major network overhaul, significantly boosting water delivery and efficiency across over 190,000 hectares of irrigated land, supporting agriculture and driving regional economic benefits.
The $124 million Murrumbidgee Irrigation Automation Finalisation Project (MIAF) was delivered in partnership with the NSW Government and funded under the Australian Government's former Off-farm Efficiency Program which has since been replaced by the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program (RRWIP).
The project upgraded 1724 meters and outlets, automated 335 regulators, refurbished over 20 kilometres of open earth channels, constructed over 5.5 kilometres pipeline and constructed a new 5,000 ML surge reservoir to service the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area in Southern NSW.
This has resulted in 6.29 GL of water returned to the environment to help meet NSW's Murray-Darling Basin Plan commitments.
On top of the MIAF project wrapping up, the $62 million Urban Channel Pipelines Project is now under construction and will return another 2.5 GL of water to the environment.
Funded under RRWIP, the project will replace ageing concrete and open channels with new pipeline reconfiguration, and rationalise associated infrastructure. The project will result in reduced water losses from evaporation and seepage, while more efficiently delivering supplies to irrigators, stock and domestic customers and towns.
To learn more, visit: Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Water, Murray Watt:
"The Australian Government remains committed to delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in a way that balances the needs of our agricultural industries, our communities and our environment.
"The result of these two projects - one of which is up and running and another that is already under construction - will be just under 9 GL of water returned to the environment. This is a great example of what can be achieved for the environment when we partner with the agriculture sector.
"It is essential that we continue to take the necessary action now to protect the Murray-Darling Basin for future generations.
"I thank Minister Jackson for her ongoing collaboration with us and her passion for her communities - I look forward to working together as we deliver the Basin Plan."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson:
"This upgrade is a big win for the region. It means more water going back to the environment, better delivery for farmers, and local jobs along the way.
"It's helped modernise how water moves across the Murrumbidgee. That makes a real difference for farmers managing their crops and for communities relying on water security.
"And we're not stopping here. The next stage is the Urban Channel Pipeline, which will save even more water by cutting down on losses and improving how supplies are delivered.
"This is exactly the kind of practical investment we need. It shows we can meet our environmental goals, support local communities and reduce the pressure for buybacks."
Quotes attributable to Murrumbidgee Irrigation CEO, Brett Jones:
"The modernisation of the MI integrated supply system is already delivering a host of irrigator benefits. These upgrades have given us a delivery system which will underpin a more flexible, timely and efficient water delivery network for many decades to come.
"Of course, this is not the end of the journey simply the beginning of our next stage, focusing on delivering greater value from our assets and always looking for the next improvement opportunity to support our irrigators.
"Updating aged and outdated infrastructure puts our communities and industries in the best possible position to weather water challenges and improve water security across Griffith and Leeton."
