Irrigated Land

Irrigation is the application of water to land for the purpose of agricultural production. Irrigated land is defined as land managed by irrigation property owners.

Irrigated land is mostly located in the lower catchment areas of the Campaspe, Loddon and Avoca Basins. Intensive irrigation is provided and serviced via the Torrumbarry, Pyramid-Boort and Rochester/Campaspe Irrigation Areas. Irrigated land also includes upper and mid catchment areas, such as the potato growers in the central highlands area, river diverters and the vineyards of Bendigo and Avoca districts.

Coordination of natural resource management initiatives across the intensively irrigated areas is being achieved through the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (2007). This strategic 30 year plan is aiming to achieve "a diverse, proud and resourceful community achieving social, environmental and economic well-being firmly grounded in sustainable resource management".

Coordinating and assisting natural resource management across the less intensively irrigated areas across the upper Loddon, Campaspe, Avoca and Avon-Richardson catchments is based upon the same principles and frameworks as the lower catchment areas in order to provide consistency across the whole North Central catchment. However, a specific irrigated land and water management plan has not been developed for upper catchment areas.

Irrigation development and expansion across the entire North Central CMA is directed by the Regional Irrigation Development Guidelines. The Guidelines have been developed as a tool to help landholders meet the planning and licencing requirements for irrigation development.

Learn more about the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region .

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Regional Irrigation Development Guidelines

The Regional Irrigaiton Development Guidelines have been jointly developed to provide consistent and sustainable irrigation development across Northern Victoria by:

  • North Central CMA,
  • North East CMA,
  • Goulburn Broken CMA,
  • Department of Primary Industries,
  • Department of Sustainablity and Environment; and
  • Goulburn-Murray Water.

The purpose of the Guidelines is to:

  • Ensure irrigation development continues in a sustainable manner by minimising negative impacts on the environment and people.
  • Support landholders and relevant authorities to meet irrigation planning and licensing requirements.
  • Help mitigate the risks associated with applying water to land and ensure improved water efficiency through the application of higher irrigation standards.
  • Guide the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and heritage values.

The Guidelines are triggered by applications for:

  1. Water Use Licence applications for, or variations to existing Water Use Licences for irrigation purposes where the proposed irrigation development:
    - will occur on land for which there has never been a water use licence.
     - involves an increase in the annual use limit in an existing WUL.
    - involves an increase in the area to be irrigated in an existing WUL.
  2. Works Licence applications for a new Works Licence, renewal or variation of an existing licence for irrigation purposes.

The Guidelines are shaped and guided by four key documents. They are: 

 Further Information:

  • Regional Irrigation Development Guidelines Case Study
  • RIDG: At a Glance

 

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