The Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) represents in excess of 400 water entitlement holders in the Gwydir Valley.
Our water entitlement holders are some of the most progressive in the world, actively engaged in, and innovating irrigated agriculture. From broadacre crops such as cotton to tree crops such as pecans, oranges and olives, our industry is diverse and productive. We are all acutely aware that reliability of water in the valley is low, and thus strive to Make Every Drop Count for the producer, the community and the environment.
Our vision is for the local irrigation industry, the environment and the Gwydir Valley community to have a secure, vibrant future, with the GVIA recognised as an industry leader.
The Gwydir Valley, centred around the town of Moree in north west NSW is an extremely productive agricultural region. Agriculture employs 20-30% of the population and contributes an estimate 7.8% of NSW’s total agricultural production. Irrigated agriculture is particularly important, contributing significantly to the social and economic wellbeing of the region.
The irrigated olive industry was initiated in the Gwydir Valley over 25 years ago. Olives are a vertically integrated industry
with the nationally recognised Gwydir Grove Olives the largest local producer and processor. In recent years the number of olive
trees has declined as some producers have switched from olives into pecans.
Oranges are a new irrigation industry in the Gwydir Valley, with the majority of the trees planted since 2005. It is currently expanding
with an expected area of 350Ha to be under production by 2020. The citrus industry in the Gwydir Valley is part of the locally owned and vertically
integrated Grove Juice business.
The pecan industry is an important irrigation industry for the Gwydir Valley. Trawalla, owned and operated by Stahmann Farms is the largest
in the region producing approximately 90% of Australia’s pecans. Australia is the fourth largest global producer of pecans. Stahmann Farms operate
the country's only commercial pecan shelling, value-adding and packing plant.
The Gwydir Valley is a diverse broadacre cropping region producing a range of both summer and winter crops. The primary winter crops include; chickpeas,
wheat, barley, and more recently canola. While summer plantings include sorghum, faba beans, mung beans, maize and sunflowers. The majority of the broadacre
cropping area is dryland.
Cotton is the most significant irrigated crop in the Gwydir Valley with an average of 70,000Ha. It is also an important dryland crop with an average of 79,000Ha annually.
The area planted can fluctuate from year to year, being dependant on either available irrigation water and seasonal rainfall.
Lucerne and Hay are niche crops in the Gwydir Valley covering an estimated 4,500Ha. Lucerne is produced primarily on smaller blocks and is irrigated by bore water
entitlements. Hay production includes Lucerne, cereals and pastures.
The turf industry has been a part of the irrigation industry of the Gwydir Valley for almost 20 years, but there are only two producers in the valley. It covers a very small
area of only 20Ha and is irrigated by bore water entitlements. The primary species produced is Buffalo.
The Gwydir Wetlands are a system of terminal delta wetlands, located downstream of the Gwydir River approximately 45kms west of Moree in north west NSW. They are recognised for their
unique vegetation and bird breeding potential. The wetlands are estimated to consist of approximately 6,829Ha of semi-permanent wetland and 77,949Ha of floodplain wetland.
WaterNSW monitor 51 river gauge locations in the Gwydir River and streams(418) using telemetry with data accessible in real time. These sites collect a range of information from flow rate,
discharge volume and river heights and assist WaterNSW in their role of water delivery operators whilst providing an indication of water availability.
All water in the Gwydir is managed by water sharing plans established progressively since 2004. Currently 19% of long term Gwydir river flows and 85% of sustainable yield of the Lower Gwydir
aquifer are available for irrigation. This has been reduced over time following reforms and water recovery for environment.
The are a number of groundwater sources including the Lower Gwydir aquifer used for irrigation and the Great Artesian Basin, including recharge zones. WaterNSW monitor
levels via 26 monitoring sites with data accessible in real time.
Groundwater provides reliable irrigation water, quality drinking water for towns and properties and is one of the region’s major tourism attractions.
Copeton Dam is located on the Gwydir River upstream of Bingara on the north-west slopes of NSW. It is one of the largest inland dams in NSW with a capacity of 1,364,000
megalitres of water. It was initiated in 1966 to provide town water supplies and to boost irrigated agricultural production in the Gwydir Valley.
The Water engagement roundup is a live monthly webinar update about ongoing and upcoming engagements and consultation on important water
policy, reforms and programs for NSW. This month we focus on the NSW Groundwater Strategy.
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (New South Wales)
The Habitat Action Grants are funded from the Recreational Fishing Trusts which direct revenue generated by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee
towards onground actions to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW.
Angling clubs, individuals, community groups, local councils and organisations interested in rehabilitating fish habitats in freshwater and
saltwater areas throughout NSW can apply for grants of up to $40,000.
Habitat rehabilitation projects which may be funded include:
removal or modification of barriers to fish passage
rehabilitation of riparian lands (river banks, wetlands, mangrove forests, saltmarsh)
re-snagging waterways with timber structure
removal of exotic vegetation from waterways and replace with native species
bank stabilisation works.
Grants are open until the 29th of September 2023Read More
Improve the rate and reach of R&D adaption and adoption
Enable successful cotton industry expansion
Respond to biosecurity threats and assist in the event of natural disasters
The Role
With the incumbent moving on, there is now the need for a replacement CottonInfo Program Lead. Reporting to the CRDC GM
Communications and Extension and working closely with the joint venture partners, the role is responsible for leading the extension program
and supporting a team facilitating the adoption of R&D in the Australian cotton industry.
The CottonInfo Program Lead is responsible for shaping, implementing and delivering against the CottonInfo strategic plan in this execution
role, influencing the team delivering key information to market.
This includes delivering on KPI’s around:
The Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust invites applications from people who are actively involved in water and environmental
science, systems, advocacy, policy or management, to participate in our unique Leadership Program. This transformative Program is designed
to foster courageous leaders who will drive the sustainable and equitable management of Australia’s waterways and natural
environments. The PCT Leadership Program enables participants to develop their leadership capabilities, communication skills and
ability to drive change.
Limited to 16 participants, this remarkable journey significantly changes the clarity, confidence, shared vision and strategic capability
of each participant, and enhances their capacity to take up leadership roles within their organisations and communities.
Applications for the 2024 Leadership Program are now open, and will close on 15 October 2023. The 2024 Program will run
across two sessions: 17-22 March 2024 and 19-24 May 2024. Further group work and meetings will occur online between these two
sessions.
To apply for a position in the Program, please read the information provided in the links,
prepare your application material, and submit via the online application form prior to the closing date. To apply you will need a current
CV, statement of claim addressing the selection criteria, two current referees, and your ‘pitch’ for why you are the right match for this
Program.
Applications are open for the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), the flagship program of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
(ARLF). Over 30 diverse leaders from across rural, regional and remote Australia, come together for a series of unique and immersive
experiences to develop their leadership capabilities. The program takes place over 15 months and develops the capacity of individuals as
leaders in ways that are transformational in many, using face-to-face experiential learning supported by online engagement and peer-to-peer
mentoring.The program will commence in June 2024 and finish in September 2025 (four sessions with over 40 contact days). For more
information about the ARLP, visit https://rural-leaders.org.au/programs/australian-rural-leadership-program/ TO APPLY: You need to apply via our online platform -https://apply-rural-leaders.smapply.io/prog/australian_rural_leadership_program/.
You will need to register first.
The Australian Farm Data Code (the Code) was developed and adopted by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in consultation with industry,
and with support from the Australian Government.
The Code is intended to inform the data management policies of product and service providers who manage data on behalf of farmers. It is
also a yardstick by which farmers can evaluate the data terms and policies of those providers. Benefits to farmers include:
increased awareness and understanding of the ways in which providers are collecting, using, and sharing their farm data;
a framework to compare providers and inform negotiations about data terms and policies; and
improvements to industry-wide data practices over time.
Benefits for service providers include: clear and agreed guidance on data policies and a helpful framework to inform
discussions with farmers about data.
Read More
