2010 Irrigators Survey
Friday 9 April 2010
NSW Water Minister, Phil Costa today encouraged irrigators across NSW to contribute to future water planning by participating in the 2010 Irrigators survey.
Minister Costa said the survey was open to irrigators from the major regulated river valleys in NSW.
“This is an opportunity for irrigators to contribute to water management planning and better inform future State Government decisions on water issues,” Minister Costa said.
“Water users will be asked about their operations, enterprise, water use efficiency, water trading, employment and other economic and social indicators, to help the Government identify what changes have occurred since the last survey in 2006.”
“The responses to the survey will be used to evaluate water sharing plans into the future, and are a vital component in ensuring we get the balance right.
“The 2010 Irrigators Survey is open to all irrigators from regions where the first 31 water sharing plans commenced in 2004.
“We are also very keen to hear from water licence holders and shareholder from within irrigation corporations such as Murray Irrigation, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Coleambally Irrigation, Western Murray Irrigation, as well as private irrigation districts and trusts.
“The survey is a voluntary 20 minute phone interview, and responses will remain anonymous and all information will be treated confidentially.”
The NSW Irrigators’ Council Chief Executive, Andrew Gregson said this initiative comes at a time when members have been calling out for more research into their industry.
“It’s an important study, and we will certainly be actively encouraging our members to participate,” Mr Gregson said.
“I strongly encourage all irrigators to participate in the survey and give 20 minutes of their time for this important study,” said Mr Gregson.
About 11,000 irrigators eligible to participate in the survey have been contacted in writing and asked to register their willingness to take part. Irrigators wishing to participate in the survey can lodge an expression of interest with the NSW Office of Water via the website by 30 April.
A report outlining the results from the 2006 survey, as well as details on lodging an expression of interest for this survey, are on the NSW Office of Water’s website at www.water.nsw.gov.au
Irrigators in the following 31 ground and surface water sharing plans have been invited to participate in the survey:
Regulated River Water Sources
Gwydir regulated river
Lachlan regulated river
Macquarie and Cudgegong regulated rivers
Murray and Lower Darling regulated rivers s
Murrumbidgee regulated river
Upper Namoi and Lower Namoi regulated river
Hunter regulated river
Unregulated River Water Sources
Adelong Creek
Apsley river
Castlereagh river above Binnaway
Commissioners Waters
Coopers Creek
Jilliby Jilliby Creek
Kangaroo river
Karuah river
Mandagery Creek
Ourimbah Creek
Phillips Creek, Mooki river, Quirindi Creek and Warrah Creek
Rocky Creek, Cobbadah, Upper Horton and Lower Horton
Tarcutta Creek
Tenterfield Creek
Torrumbee Creek
Upper Billabong
Upper Brunswick river
Wandella Creek
Wybong Creek
Groundwater Sources
Dorrigo Plateau surface and Dorrigo Basalt groundwater
Alstonville Plateau groundwater
Kulnura Mangrove Mountain groundwater
Stuarts Point groundwater
Tomago Tomaree Stockton groundwater
