Avon Landholders Developing Self Sufficiency Options
When we hear the phrase "use water wisely" we automatically think of how we can reduce our water use. This is the key to the long term sustainability of this precious resource.
The Avon Catchment Council aims to improve the efficiency of water use in the Avon River Basin through the development and implementation of water management plans. The plans form a major component of the Water Management and Self Sufficiency Project run by the ACC and consulting firm GHD. The project is funded by the Australian and State Government's National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
Improved water management on farms will reduce reliance on scheme water in the region. Implementing the plans should result in improved water harvesting through the installation of dams and rainwater tanks.
Reduction in the volume of scheme water consumed by landholders will capture water that could otherwise have a negative impact on agricultural land through erosion, waterlogging and salinity.
Morbinning Gully Catchment (in Beverley) is the first of four sub-catchments selected and landholders are working towards achieving catchment-wide self-sufficiency with farm-level water management plans.
Improved use of surface water run-off and ground-water sources will lead to reduced reliance on scheme water. This will address associated issues such as erosion, water logging and salinity, which is of significance to a region with 27% of agricultural land threatened by salinity.
The ultimate target is for 50% of agricultural properties in the selected catchments to capture as much water as they use, resulting in a water balance on their properties. This reduces the volume of water imported into the region during dry times. This is particularly important in drought years.
Matt Giraudo of GHD said a preliminary water management plan has been completed for Morbinning, with a positive response from landholders.
"Most landholders would like to be self-sufficient as reliance on the current system carries risks of increasing cost of scheme water, or declining infrastructure which could lead to a decreasing water supply".
GHD's audit of Morbinning Gully water usage shows that 86% of total water usage from all sources in the catchment is for stock consumption, whereas 60% of scheme water is used on crops, in the house and garden.
"Landholders in the area are keen to develop alternative water resources, however the incentive scheme provided by the Avon Catchment Council has been the catalyst for landholder support."
"With the high cost of developing alternative resources that allow for self-sufficiency, these incentive schemes are important."
The planning stage is now complete and negotiations with landholders on investment opportunities are underway. Implementation of on-ground works will begin later in the year.
