WaterNSW today advised that with low volumes of water available and continued hot, dry conditions, the single block release for 2020/21
general security deliveries in the Gwydir Valley will be brought forward.
The revised dates for the block release from Copeton Dam are:
Releases will commence on Friday 26 November 2020, and
Releases will cease around 24 December 2020.
Orders must be placed prior to 18 December 2020 via iWAS or calling the helpdesk via 1300 662 077. For users West of Moree place your
orders ASAP to help ensure effecient delivery.
As part of the NSW Government's commitment to regulating and measuring floodplain harvesting, changes to the Water Management (General)
Regulation 2018 to include floodplain harvesting requirements are being proposed.
The proposed changes aim to improve the management of floodplain harvesting across NSW and will:
allow for floodplain harvesting licences to be issued,
After not being able to plant our irrigation efficiency trial last season due to no water, it is great to now have crops in the ground for
this season. The trial will include a look at the new surface drip system from Netafim, a new EnviroNode Farm Automation Controller on the Smart Siphons, the lateral system, the original bankless system and the new fully automated bankless system with Padman Stops auto
winches.
The Darling River in the northern basin contributes on average about 14 per cent of the total flow in the River Murray (the southern basin)
at the point where the Darling enters the Murray.
In reality, most years do not deliver an average contribution from the Darling River. Averages mask extreme fluctuations in Darling flows,
which are driven by the ephemeral and dynamic, boom and bust nature of rainfall in the northern Basin.
This means that major changes to inflows from the northern basin have only minor impacts on total Murray inflows. For example, DPIEW
recently stated in an update to stakeholders that a 10% reduction in inflows from the Lower Darling would result in only a 1.4% reduction in total inflows to the River Murray.
The greatest influence on NSW allocations is the flow from the upper Murray catchments.
Floodplain harvesting is the capture and use of overland flow water flowing across a floodplain during a flood. Farmers everywhere in
NSW (north and south) capture over land flow water as part of their works approval requirements to store rainfall on farm to mitigate
environmental impacts. Farms are specifically designed for this purpose.
Farmers on floodplains have flood protection works designed to exclude overland flow outside of the developed area, to protect their crops,
homes and farm infrastructure from damage.
Overland flows generally occur only when there is major flooding. If there’s no flooding, there’s no floodwater to capture. There was
localised flooding in the Namoi and Lower Gwydir Valleys (Mehi region) in February 2020, this was the first event to occur in both those
regions since 2011 and 2012, back when Menindee Lakes was full and spilling. The Gwydir had moderate flooding in Spring 2016 and Menindee Lakes filled to 92%.
GVIA vice chair Jim Cush, who also farms in the NSW Border Rivers and the Namoi, is relieved the Healthy Floodplains project - established
to oversee the licencing - is nearing its end.
"It's been a long time coming, especially considering it started with the River Management Committee discussions that committed to
licencing during the development of our first water sharing plan in the early 2000s," he said.
"The Department is finally getting its act together."
Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) has welcomed the state government's commitment to moving forward with its management of
overland flow with the release of draft accounting rules and floodplain licensing outcomes for the Border Rivers, the first of the five
valley's.
The GVIA supports that all water take should be measured with the majority of take to be metered through highly accurate devices. All
measurement must be auditable, verifiable and within accuracy requirements. We know active irrigators in our region adopt the most accurate technology commercially available.
In November 2020, the first site in the Gwydir went live on the new NSW Government Data Acquisition Service.
NSW DPIE recently announced no further allocations for the Gwydir Valley. Total water available remains at 37,000 megalitres for
general security irrigation and 44 megalitres for environmental users after 5,000 megalitres of high security allocation was
transferred into their general security account. The essential supplies account is now 4,000 megalitres in deficit, which will need
to be addressed prior to any new allocations.
Water NSW announced that unless conditions improve a single block release for general security allocations will be scheduled for 7 December
and continue for approximately 28 days. General security water will need to be stored on-farm as used as required.
(Photo: irrigated wheat prior to harvest, west Moree, NSW by Lou Gall).
Water NSW have reopened the bulk water delivery planning survey until 30 October 2020. Please take the time to complete this short survey to lodge an expression of interest (EOI) for any future supplementary events that occur this water year and to tell
WaterNSW about your regulated river water requirements for the season ahead including stock and domestic needs.
Do not complete this survey if you have already. They will collate the information to help determine water requirements for the
upcoming season. With less than 37GL of water to deliver for irrigators, orders will be grouped together to limit losses and you will
be required to take water in a block and store water on-farm, if you want to access it. We will also work with environmental water
users to coordinate where possible.
Urgent and due by 30 October 2020.
A reminder to members regarding their responsibilities for keep log books as part of the mandatory conditions for their licences, which can
differ for Regulated, Unregulated and Groundwater users depending on the water source. It is best that water users are familiar with
these conditions, which can be accessed via searching the NSW Water
Register
and selecting the first search option and either searching your WAL or you licence number (90AL). For more information visit our page.
Irrigation Australia has announced the first dates for the NSW subsidised storage meter installation and validation courses. To ensure
you have a compliant storage meter with the NSW Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy, your storage meter must be inspected and or new
approved meter, installed by someone that has completed this course.
Copeton Dam is at 16.3% capacity with all essential supplies reserved for two years. General security and environmental allocations
total 5.07% for the year with 38,000 megalitres available to irrigators and 39,000 megalitres available to environmental water users. This
does not include any allocation available as high security which is 13,000 megalitres for irrigators and 5,700 megalitres for environmental
water users.
WaterNSW are intending to operate via one bulk delivery for general security customers - please complete the survey or contact WaterNSW to
ensure your needs are considered.
Industry has developed a 'Metering Implementation Schedule' to capture your farm information in relation to surface water, groundwater and
floodplain harvesting metering and measurement. Its purpose is two-fold and it is a priority for all water users that fall within the first
metering deadline of 1 December 2020 and who have eligible floodplain harvesting ROIs. The document will capture data to inform industry
progress, future timelines and existing measures in place to meter and measure take.
There are no other government systems in place to capture this information and it is important indsutry, government and the community can
collect data to understand the progress made towards NSW new metering rules and the market challenges in meeting them. For this reason, we
request you send the completed form back to your industry group for collation.
Many farms in the Gwydir Valley have gravity components internally, however there are limited numbers of gravity diversions for the
purposes of accessing either regulated or unregulated water. You need to check your Works Approval via WaterNSW
register selecting A particular water licence or approval (including
conditions) if
you know your 90AL number ORA particular property
(in relation to water licences or approvals) to find your 90AL number using your Lot and DP.
Then see what has been listed there - if it says diversion channel you have until 1 December 2021 to ensure your meter meets the new
metering rules. If not, you must meet the requirements for larger than 500mm pumps by this December or for smaller sites, 1 December
2021.
NOTING as per WSPs the metering installation can be located anywhere between the point of extraction and the first inlet/outlet
locations.
The NSW Government released their 20- 40-year draft Gwydir Regional Water Strategy to look at how to improve regional water security, build
resilience and stronger communities and environments. It is about how to best manage the challenges that are facing the Gwydir region. This
strategy looks at historical and a worst case scenario of climatic sequence as part of the assessment of challenges that may face the
region. The strategy provides a long list of proposed projects, both infrastructure, rules-based, research and review and skills
orientated, to be considered by the community. These should be reviewed by the community as a chance to have a say on
future investment in the region.
There is a live webinar on 15 October 2020 and face-to-face meetings in Moree on 22 October 2020.
Not all pipe diameters have AS4747 pattern approved meters available (see
current list). For
example, whilst there is a meter approved to 1800mm it is only manufactured in 200mm diameter increments. We encourage you to seek
transitional arrangements for your existing meter provided it can meet those requirements available here.
Where that is not an option, you can request a S.233 of the Water Management (General) Regulation 2018 from the Minister.
We have developed a template that captures the required site information and the evidence needed from your Certified Meter Installer to
support why a metering solution is not currently available. For example this has been used for a 1500mm pipe where there is not a
pattern approved meter currently on the market.
Where this situation may apply to you, you should act quickly to seek the exemption before the required deadline. Please contact the
office to discuss.
Members click the link to see the metering updates.
The NSW Legislative Council (Upper House) recently supported a disallowance motion to rescind the NSW Government’s Water Management
(General) Amendment (Exemptions for Floodplain Harvesting) Regulation 2020
the “exemption” on water users needing to hold a water licence
to utilise their approved floodplain works as of 3 July 2008 (eligible floodplain harvesting works), to collect overland flow. The
small steps in improving the regulation of FPH made by the exemption decision have been wound back, at a time when all stakeholders want to
move forward and have ensure water take is accountable, measured, transparent and within the allowable limits
So what does it mean? Who does it impact or benefit? Where to from here?
Tonight, the NSW Legislative Council voted to redact the Exemption Regulation on floodplain harvesting following the tabling of the
Inquiry Report here.
This means FPH regulation now reverts back to the NSW Water Act 1912 and NSW Government has less tools to manage its take, including
limiting the use of structures built after 2008. The historical status quo has now been returned.
The decision will divide NSW communities and is a distraction from what the NSW Government should be focusing on, which is the better
regulation of this form of take within the contemporary legislative framework of the NSW Water Management Act 2000.
This decision doesn't impact water users as we clearly outlined in our submission but seeks to further undermine the communities confidence
in water management in NSW through miss-information and petty politics.
Only a fully implemented licencing regime with monitoring and compliance will address those concerns. Most speakers participating in
the debate supported regulation through licencing, due (before tonight) by July 2021 and we welcome their support of its
continued implementation.
A positive move by NRAR to visit the region and talk first hand about the upcoming metering deadline for 1 December 2020. We hope the
Department and Minister follows your lead.
There’s a clear communication gap with these new rules and future FPH rules, impacting many. We support NRAR taking up this gap and
providing improved communication to water users.
NSW DPIE announced a 3.07% allocation this month for General Security users, including the environment following inflows into Copeton Dam
(which was at time at 16%). This brings the total allocation for 2020 to 4.77% and the total volume of water available to General S
ecurity irrigators to 37GL with environmental holdings at 38GL.
Ordering/deliveries will not be on demand and users should complete the WaterNSW survey to indicate your needs to coordinate bulk
delivery.
Remember, every 1% that Copeton Dam rises equates to an estimated 1.89% General Security allocation.
Save the Date: The GVIA will host the Smarter Irrigation for Profit 2 field day on Wednesday the 10th of February
2021.
We will be having the field day at Keytah, where several of our Smarter Irrigation researchers and partners will be talking about new
technology, smart sensing and remote control. Follow the link to the website for more information on Smarter
irrigation for Profit 2
The Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association will host an online Annual General Meeting on 30th September 2020, starting at 10am. The
AGM will be followed by a General Meeting until 12pm. The location will be the GVIA office, 100 Balo Street Moree. Our COVID
Safe Plan restricts the number of attendees and as a result, we will be providing an online option via Microsoft Teams for video
conferencing or dial in. Members must RSVP to either secure a seat in the office or receive their personal conference link. Nominations for the GVIA Committee are being
received, please see the link below to access the nomination form. All financial members as of June 2020 are eligible to nominate.
NSW DPIEW have released a new guide: 'What
water users need to know'
about the NSW non-urban metering reforms. This handy tool outlines the required steps for water users to take to ensure they are
compliant by the required due date, the first of which is 1 December 2020. New telemery devices have also been added to the list of
approved devices, which we are informed can be ordered via your supplier.
Local certified meter installers can be located via the Irrigation Australia
website and searching for a CMI: https://www.irrigationaustralia.com.au/
GVIA Provides Submission into the Independant Assessment into the Norther Basin First Flush
GVIA providing a submission into the Independent Panel's Assessment of the Northern Basin First Flush saying.
The Northern Basin 2020 First Flush event was unprecedented in uniting stakeholders around the Northern Basin in demanding the NSW
Government do better at managing competing critical needs in times of drought. It became obvious that during the event, in the absence of a
clear and transparent set of rules that set a strong framework to address competing critical needs in the well-defined scope of the public
interest, the event would be seen as unduly influenced by one or another set of stakeholders.
With this in mind, we largely support the recommendations proposed by the panel. However, we do offer a number of suggestions to be
considered in the process of refining the final report included opportunities to improve data gaps and improve the information base for
future discussions. Of importance is an independent and thorough assessment of flow outcomes and alternative scenarios. Without fully
understanding a range of scenarios, we cannot fully objectively review the event and properly inform any future debate about improved
frameworks. Without this information we may very well focus on a range of reforms that may or may not be required.
Here is our first reminder regarding the first deadline for the NSW Non-urban water metering reform for larger than 500mm surface
water pump
installation is quickly arriving, with all works finalised by 1 December 2020.
It is important that everyone assess using the NSW Government's Metering
Tool
whether you are required to have your surface water metering work checked and validated or a replacement meter installed with telemetry by
this date. All water users must assess their obligations and MAKE DUE EFFORT to meet these obligations in the required timeframe.
NSW DPIEW announced a 1.7% allocation to General Security and environmental water holders for the end of July 2020. This brings
total available water to General Security water users to 22,000ML with environmental water holders having 34,000 ML, not including high security water. Copeton Dam is holding 14.7% capacity with essential supplies secured for two-years.
This means now every 1% that Copeton Dam increases by can equate to an estimated 1.89% allocation for General Security and environmental
water holders.
The NSW Government has launched the Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy 2020 for the northern Murray–Darling Basin - Wednesday,
19 August 2020, 10:30am - 12:30pm.
The policy applies to landholders in the northern Murray–Darling Basin who will receive a floodplain harvesting water-access license under
the NSW Floodplain Harvesting Policy (2018) in 2021 and will allow water harvested from northern Basin floodplains to be accurately
and reliably measured for the first time.
The NSW Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy will be rolled out in stages and water users will be required to comply with the floodplain
harvesting measurement rules by July 2021 or July 2022, depending on their onsite storage capacity.
The NSW Government released the NSW Floodplain Harvesting Measurement Policy 2020. This announcement provides one of the missing pieces to
understand how NSW plan to manage this access under a licencing regime, which is due for implementation by 1 July next year in the Gwydir
Valley. We e have been calling on the policy for some time, so that water users have due time to meet their obligations.
“The policy is an ambitious program but an important step forward in water management that our local industry has been committed for a long
time to achieve.”
Photo: Storage device already installed on an empty storage, waiting for the drought to break.
Follow the link to the recent GRDC Irrigation update with input from Nick Gillingham from Keytah and Lou Gall from GVIA. There was also a
great presentation from Matthew Harrison on WaterCan Profit. Thank you to GRDC and ICAN for the opportunity to participate.
Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase II is a partnership between the irrigation industry, research organisations and farmer groups,
the objective of which is to improve the profit of over 4,000 cotton, dairy, rice, grains and sugar irrigators. There are 14 sub projects
including: New irrigation technologies such as new sensors, advanced analytics to improve irrigation scheduling and strategies to reduce
water storage evaporation. Cost effective, practical automated irrigation systems and a network of 36 farmer led optimised irrigation sites
such as Keytah here in the Gwydir. We have just launched our new web page for of videos and project information. .
The Feral Pig monitoring program supported by the NSW Government and the NW LLS is drawing to a close. We have conducted a range of
monitoring and management activities including collaring and tagging pigs, trapping and shooting. As we move into our winter cropping
season pig damage will become more evident, especially as many pregnant sows have been observed. The GVIA can provide support to local
landholders who participate in group control activities and would appreciate information on crop
damage
caused by feral pigs. Please contact
us for more
information.
An independent panel has released a draft report on the management of the 2020 northern Murray-Darling Basin first flush event
that restricted access in the Gwydir Valley to unregulated, supplementary and floodplain harvesting in February 2020.
The panel is seeking community feedback on its draft report following an earlier public consultation in May 2020 and are hosting an
online webinar with their draft results on Monday, 27 July at 1pm.
Its encouraged all members should participate.
Limited capacity is available in the GVIA office to attend due to COVID restrictions, please contact the office.
Water NSW has released an updated version of the surface water and groundwater assignment forms for undertaking allocation trades to
capture updated information regarding water trades. It is important that you utilise these updated form via the Water NSW
website.
NSW Department has announced the starting allocations for water users for the new water year 2020-2021 with all water users (Stock and
Domestic, Towns, High Security, Supplementary and Unregulated in the surface water systems and Groundwater) receiving 100% except
General Security users. General Security water users have access to ongoing carryover water of 12GL for water users and 31GL for
environmental water holders via the NSW DPIE-W.
The Water Management Act 2000 in Section 4A
describes overland flow as water including floodwater, rainfall runoff and urban stormwater that his flowing over or lying on the ground as a
result of rain or any other kind of precipitation. That means that anyone who has infrastructure developments to capture, manage
and/or store water on their farms and who irrigate with this water, can also be collecting overland flow, not just those in the five
northern valleys who are "floodplain harvesters". This definition is regardless of any other requirements of other NSW
regulations (such as the NSW EPA Act) and various licence conditions, to capture and retain water on farm to avoid environmental
impacts.
Unfortunately in NSW there are a few remaining long-term legacy issues, the fact water management is coordinated through two legislative
frameworks is one of them. That means that some approvals, rules and extraction is managed according to rules within the original NSW
Water Act 1912 but the majority are within the contemporary regime of the NSW Water Management Act 2000.
Government inaction has meant that the majority of irrigation infrastructure and flood work approvals are yet to be converted into the new
legislative framework. This has been an on-going issue for more than 20-years. But this is important when considering the
"legal status" of floodplain harvesting in NSW, which is one of the last forms of extraction to be converted from the descriptive
allowances in the Water Act 1912 into volumetric licences in the Water Management Act 2000, which is due for completed next year. Just
because its not managed or represented within the Water Management Act, doesn't make it illegal, if its allowed under the Water Act
1912.
This is why its important the Healthy Floodplains Project is completed on time next year, to bring this historical form of extraction into
the same licensing framework as others and enable government to better regulate, measure and report on it. Its proper implementation
will cap extraction within historic limits, ensure the sustainability of the industry but also leaving more water on the floodplain.
The department, together with WaterNSW, will be holding public information sessions via webinar during May and June 2020 with the session
for the Norther region, including the Gwydir on 28 May 2020. See the link below to register for this presentation.
The sessions will provide
an update on the water availability outlook, climatic trends, system flows and storages levels. Lessons learnt from the current drought and
the impacts of drought on groundwater will be discussed, as well as ongoing support available for communities.
Water availability including prospects for allocations for the new water
year starting July 1 2020 will also be discussed.
The NSW Government has appointed an independent panel to assess what improvements can be made to better manage the use, communication and
application of temporary restrictions like those used in February 2020. These restrictions were used to manage the first major
water flows following rainfall across the northern Murray-Darling after record drought conditions.
The panel is now seeking feedback from the community on their views and experiences in relation to the first flush event and suggestions on
the future management of these events. They invite you to make a submission or give your feedback by completing the survey available on the
review website.
The GVIA will be providing our own feedback via this survey, and we encourage members and all stakeholders affected by these events, to
directly provide their own individual experiences and feedback to the panel.
All submissions are due this Thursday, 14th May for the farm-scale validation, eligibility and infrastructure submissions
to floodplain.harvesting@dpi.nsw.gov.au. Note any extensions must be
requested in writing and agreed to prior to the submission closing date.
This is a valuable step and it doesn't have to be complicated.
These submissions are your responsibility to complete and submit. But we are here to provide guidance to you where we can, please do
not hesitate to email or contact Zara to discuss.
DPIE-W announced the Gwydir Valley received it’s first allocation since February 2018 with 1.9% allocation (or 10.56GL) issued to water
users including the environment. Inflows into Copeton Dam since February this year are greater than 60% of the total inflows into the dam
over the last 2.5 years.
The allocation announcement together with a full reserve essential supplies reserve (for two years) in Copeton Dam and recent supplementary
availability below the dam, signals for the first-time in years that the whole catchment has a good soil moisture and any rain should
generate flows into our river systems. Whilst the drought hasn’t broken, it’s a good start for water users and the region.
In a world first, the government is using LiDAR to construct images to estimate the volume of floodplain harvesting captured in private
water storages in the Northern Basin valleys as reported in The Land last week. The article said "There is a combined capacity of
1450 gigalitres within 1386 private on-farm storages across the Northern Basin, which are filled infrequently and only during wet
periods." and Minister for Water, Ms Pavey said "...the department is able to determine both the capacity and volume held in
private on-farm storages with much greater accuracy....Using this technology, we were able to assess the volume of floodplain harvesting was
around 20GL during this time [the temporary restriction in February 2020]. Now, over 380GL has made it to the Menindee Lakes, reconnecting
the Lower Darling to the Murray River for the first time since 2016," she said.
We think it's important that the NSW Government release results like this, to build confidence and show their significant investment in FPH
monitoring and compliance. As we know, floodplain harvesting opportunity arises in a flood, when there is plenty of water available for
everyone. These results demonstrates this fact, with take only 5% of the total flow measured at Menindee Lakes, more than 1000km of
river channel and floodplain downstream, with no impact to the achievement of the targets for critical needs required at the time.
As the current season is drawing to a close and winter planting is getting underway, the Smarter Irrigation for Profit researchers are
looking to see what you want to know more about with regards irrigation. We have developed a 4 question survey and would love your
input.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SIP2_Webinar
With recent catchment rainfall, water availability has improved across the catchment with inflows into Copeton Dam as well as approximately
10% Supplementary allocation available from inflows below the Dam. The region has moved down to Stage 2 for Drought Management, due
to the forecast of 2-years supply of all essential water requirements including towns. A small deficit for General Security delivery
remains and must be addressed prior to any new allocations.
Industry has developed a simple farm validation tool to assist members in interpreting the Department's farm-scale validation data as part
of the Healthy Floodplain program. We have also compiled a list of questions and things to consider with the aim of providing
you support in determining whether you need to prepare a submission to amend any information of not.
Note individuals must submit by the new deadline of 14 May 2020, directly to the Department or have requested a further extension, prior to
this date.
NSW Government has released the draft Terms of Reference into their Independent Assessment into the First Flush in the northern basin - the
management and communication of temporary restrictions implemented in February 2020 to achieve flow outcomes within the valley and
downstream in the Barwon-Darling. There is an opportunity to provide input into the review via a multi-step submission process, starting
with the Terms of Reference. The GVIA will be working on suggestions to improve the terms including ensuring the panel has relevant
technical input into the effectiveness of the event by considering northern basin hydrology and flows.
DPIE- W will be hosting a webinar on Friday 27th March, 10am-12pm for all eligible floodplain harvesters in the Gwydir Valley to provide
information on:
- Letters that are being sent out at the end of March, which will detail your eligible floodplain harvesting works and other information
that will be used to determine a floodplain harvesting entitlement for your farm.
- The submissions process.
- Next steps in the Healthy Floodplains Project.
Invitations were sent by the Department on Friday, please contact the GVIA if you did not receive this email via gvia@gvia.org.au or the
floodplain.harvesting@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
GVIA Office Closed
With the response to Covid-19, the GVIA office is now closed and staff are rotating being in the office. Appointment can be made if
required. Our work continues and both Zara and Lou are still available by phone; 02 67521399 or email. Please dont hesitate to contact
us. Stay safe and well. Thank You
The GVIA represents in excess of 450 water entitlement holders in the Gwydir Valley. The organisation works to represent the interests of
our members and secure a viable future for our region through ensuring water rights are protected and water use by members, the environment
and our river operators is efficient and sustainable. We work together to build a better future for our region and make every drop
count.
Our role provides a voice for our industry and region to decision makers, our local community and the broader public. This can involve
writing and commenting on policy proposals, inquiries and participating in meetings with key stakeholders including Ministers and Department
staff. We take seriously our role in improving grower research and innovation in our industry.
The Gwydir CGA would like to invite you to join us for the 2020 Gwydir Field Day.
The field day will provide an opportunity to look at some new and innovative technologies including the CSD variety trials, XtendFlex , a
machine vision app for insect management and the canopy temperature sensors. There will be an update from the CSIRO breeding team and the
NSW DPI water productivity benchmarking project.
This statement is provided as a response to concerns raised due to misinformation regarding northern embargoes and floodplain harvesting.
Our organisation supports the need for a first flush to provide flow for critical human needs. We also are on record requesting greater
transparency around the decision to utilise, amend and remove temporary pumping restrictions in NSW. This process must be undertaken with a
clear methodology, based on fact and science and communicated communities both up and downstream.
On the back of last week’s bureaucratic bungling, Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association are warning that the lack of responsiveness by
government and transparent processes are sacrificing our farmers and wasting precious water.
Once again this week our farmers have been crucified on the back of bureaucratic bungling. On late Friday afternoon, the Department of
Planning, Industry and Environment's Water division applied an embargo for the first time on overland flow via a text message. Whilst
the sentiment of this decision to protect flows for critical human needs is supported by northern communities, it is the level of disregard
for how a natural system behaves during extreme weather events such as a flood and the lack of consultation about rule changes that has
farmers fuming.
The Gwydir Field Day has had to be postponed due to wet weather. Neither farms are accessible due to heavy rainfall.
We will notify you as soon as we are able to reschedule the event.
Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association together with Namoi Water have provided the following statement regarding the current management of
river flows and localised flooding in parts of our valleys. This statement will be progressively updated as more information becomes
available.
There is no question that we and our communities support the importance of connectivity flows in drought. We fully support flows to provide
critical human needs.
NSW DPIEW informed users via the EWN that they have lifted temporary water restrictions on unregulated water users in the Mehi subcatchment
(until 17 February 2020), this adds to the lifting of restrictions in the Millie and Thalaba sub-catchments in the south-western section of
Gwydir Valley. Restrictions to floodplain harvesting activities in the Mehi and Thalaba sub catchments have also been lifted. These
expire on 12th February 2020.
Reasons for the decision are stated as being: over the last 2 days there has been in excess of 150mm of rain in lower Gwydir. Flows in the
Mehi River are at 4000ML/day and 4,500ML/day in Moomin. Flows in the Barwon Darling are at 9000ML day at Collarenabri and 5000ML day at
Tara. Flows from the Mehi are backing up due to high flows in the Barwon Darling.
Most flow targets have been met, and is now expected that targets at Brewarrina, and possibly Bourke, will also be met.
The main intent of lifting this order to minimise flood impacts, and allow farmers to move water around their property.
Water NSW have expanded their Early Warning Network to manage notifications for temporary restrictions to pumping conditions (in addition
to dam safety and flood notifications). It is recommended all water users subscribe to this process to be sent an email and SMS on any
announcements from Water NSW regarding access arrangements.
DPIEW have lifted the restrictions to unregulated licence access in the Thalaba and Millie Creek Subcatchments as of 9:53pm tonight. This
is because of high rainfall in the lower part of the Gwydir valley has resulted in the public interest test being met for these water
sources, and unregulated take from the above water sources will not materially impact on downstream flows in the Barwon Darling.
To receive updates on temporary restrictions, you must register for the Early Warning Network here.
Contact the office for more information.
The NSW Government has enacted a temporary restriction on floodplain harvesting across the northern basin to preserve any flows in the
northern river system for towns, stock and domestic supply and the environment. This temporary restriction order will apply to the take of
water for the purpose of floodplain harvesting, except in the case where the take of water is rainfall runoff from irrigated areas with
tailwater return drains or water cannot be reasonably prevented i.e. it is passive take. You will need to refer to the exemption
details via the Department's website. We will forward any further information when it becomes available.
The Gwydir Cotton Growers Association would like to invite you to join us for the 2020 Gwydir Field Day which will be showcasing new and
innovative technologies including the CSD variety trials, XtendFlex , a machine vision app for insect management and the canopy temperature
sensor. There will be discussion on the impact of temperature and climate on cotton production as well as an update from the CSIRO breeding
team.
RSVP to Secretary@gwydircotton.com.au or call Lou on 0427 521 498 or 02 6752 1399
