On August 13, Australian officials announced support for ten water infrastructure projects across South Australia worth nearly $90 million.
The projects range from delivering additional water to Barossa Valley wine producers to supporting water efficient, high technology glass houses for growing vegetables at Virginia.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the projects, which are being jointly funded by the Marshall Liberal Government, the Commonwealth and partners under the National Water Grid Fund – Connections Pathway program, will provide a significant boost to South Australia’s agriculture industry.
“We know water is a critical resource for a successful agriculture sector and these 10 projects across South Australia will grow jobs by delivering new and affordable water, enhancing water security and helping stimulate regional economic development,” Minister Basham said.
Acting Minister for Environment and Water Stephen Patterson said the 10 projects would lead to both economic and environmental benefits.
“In a state where water is a precious commodity it’s important we invest in projects which improve sustainability and resilience,” Minister Patterson said.
The projects include:
- Waikerie Irrigated Agricultural Water Access and Security Project ($2.8m) – to service primary producers in the Lower Murray Catchment through the rehabilitation of effluent lagoons into a wetland, to collect and treat stormwater for reuse.
- Greenway’s Irrigation Trust ($2.5m) – investment in new pumps and in increasing capacity of the main trunk line to ensure a community irrigation scheme located in Nildottie provides water availability, reliability and efficiency.
- Recycled Water Pipeline to Nairne – Stage 1 ($1.29m) – includes a 1 km recycled water pipeline running from the existing water storage facility in Mount Barker, to Nairne, to enable supply to new primary producers.
- Callington connection ($1.58m) – a new 2km pipeline to connect existing council recycled water network to a recycled water storage facility. This will enable the storage facility to be used to supply primary production.
- Water Recycling Project - Seven Point Pork ($1.4m) – this project aims to reduce the use of mains water at this large Port Wakefield meat processing facility by upgrading its existing water recycling plant to produce water for irrigation use
- Project 312 - The Olive Oil Project ($8.88m) – a 5 km pipeline extension to the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS) network to supply water to 'The Olive Oil Project' at Two Wells and create capacity for additional connections in the area.
- Regional Recharge Farms ($800,000) - infrastructure works to form regional recharge farms or areas around the Port MacDonnell area where water is held, allowing it to recharge the aquifer and groundwater supply, preventing the need to reduce primary production water allocations further, increasing the security and reliability of water for primary production.
- Pogona Barbata ($58m) – the development and construction of high technology glass houses, and water retention and supply systems to create sustainable water management at a Virginia producer of herbs and cucumbers.
- Barossa Wine Grape Water Source Diversification ($9m) – development of water infrastructure around Roseworthy for irrigation supply for agriculture.
- Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area ($3.187m) - irrigation water delivery infrastructure to increase water use efficiency and ensure access to water when River Murray and Lower Lakes water levels are low due to drought or actively managed to generate environmental benefits.
SOURCE: Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall
