Sustainable Irrigation Program
Proudly working alongside Gippsland farmers for over 25 years to achieve a highly productive and sustainable irrigation community.
About
Together with Agriculture Victoria, we’re working with the irrigation community to keep water and nutrients on farm and out of the local waterways, including the Gippsland Lakes.
The Sustainable Irrigation Program provides funding and support for irrigators in the Macalister Irrigation District and across the broader Lake Wellington Catchment.
Further partnerships with agency and industry bodies is coordinated through the Lake Wellington Sustainable Irrigation Group. The Sustainable Irrigation Group is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan and its integration with other strategies and activities as appropriate (e.g. irrigation modernisation programs, the Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy, research collaborations, etc).
Membership of the Lake Wellington Sustainable Irrigation Group includes:
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Agriculture Victoria
- Southern Rural Water
- Environment Protection Authority
- Gippsland Water
- Wellington Shire
- GippsDairy
- Food and Fibre Gippsland
Activities focus on improving water use efficiencies, adopting best management practices and keeping phosphorus on farms where it supports soil health and pasture growth. By improving how irrigation is designed and managed, farms also reduce the impact from salinity and water-logged paddocks that can reduce farm productivity.
The program is underpinned by the Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan, a long-term strategy that outlines how irrigators, industry and government will work together to achieve a highly productive and sustainable irrigation community that values and protects its natural and cultural assets.
Projects and opportunities to get involved
- Irrigation Farm Planning (Incentives Program)
- Irrigation Extension Program (delivered through Agriculture Victoria)
- Irrigation Demonstration Trials
- Irrigation Reference Group
- Salinity in the Macalister Irrigation area
Publications – Environmental Strategies
- Gippsland Irrigation Development Guidelines 2023 (PDF IMB)
- Gippsland Irrigation Development Guidelines Fact Sheets (PDF 2MB)
- Lake Wellington Land and Water Management Plan
Lake Wellington Catchment
You can explore the Lake Wellington Catchment map and the video we created to celebrate 25 years of sustainable irrigation “How 25 years of sustainable irrigation has transformed central Gippsland” can also be viewed from the links below.
Project Partners
- Agriculture Victoria
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Landholders
- Southern Rural Water
Funding
The Sustainable Irrigation Program is a part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Sustainable Irrigation Program, implemented in Gippsland by Agriculture Victoria and the West Gippsland CMA.
Latest news
Celebrating sustainable farming
Celebrating a 25-year pivot towards sustainable farming future This year, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is celebrating the 25th…
Water the key to future proofing Gippsland farms
Join our Irrigator Reference Group
We are on the hunt for irrigators to join us in ensuring Gippsland irrigation practices are world class.
