Feedback open on two major water efficiency projects

Residents and key stakeholders are being invited to have their say on two major projects in the Griffith region that could significantly boost water efficiency on farms, improve environmental outcomes and contribute to NSW’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan targets.

With the support of the NSW Government, agricultural enterprises McDonell Farms and Erin Pastoral have applied for funding under the Australian Government’s Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program for proposed projects that would save millions of litres of water with new and improved networks.

McDonell Farms, which manages 1000 hectares of irrigated land near Leeton, is proposing $6.3 million of works including a 510ML storage dam and an upgrade of the drainage recirculation system by creating a bankless layout of channels with improved infrastructure and fully automated irrigation across the entire property.

It’s estimated the project will save 1200ML of water each year through reduced water losses caused by evaporation in the current network and by allowing for more flexible water capture and delivery. 80 percent of this entitlement would be returned to the environment as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to meeting its Basin Plan targets.

The proposed $1.9 million Erin water efficiency project would deliver a new state-of-the-art supply and reticulation system for stock and domestic use right across this 8,500-hectare property north of Hay which is home to cropping, wool, fat lamb and beef production.

It’s expected to achieve water savings of between 130-150ML each year and will return 110ML of water to the environment.

Feedback will be considered to help determine if the projects will progress to a formal funding application to the Australian Government.

Submissions close at 5pm on 22 May 2025 and can be made via an online form or by uploading a written document at: Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure program.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said:

“These projects are looking promising, but we need to continue undertaking due diligence including getting community input to ensure all the pros and cons are weighed up carefully before we determine if they move to the next stage which involves NSW submitting a formal funding application to the Commonwealth.

“The McDonell Farms overhaul would reduce water losses caused by evaporation in the current network and allow for more flexible water capture and delivery, building on a string of upgrades that have already been completed to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.

“Meanwhile, the Erin project would tap into the Gunbar Water Scheme for the first time to reduce reliance on the Lachlan River, replacing the existing failing channel system and pipes on the farm with 67km of new pipelines, 3 solar powered pump stations, 37 storage tanks, 35 troughs, and a remote monitoring system.

“The NSW Government has been steadfast in its opposition to buybacks and these programs show how overhauling infrastructure can return water to the environment without the need for voluntary water purchases.

“This is the chance for the public to have its say on these major water initiatives which could be gamechangers for the region, so I strongly encourage people to have their say.”