The Sunraysia Modernisation Project (SMP) enhancement will see the project area extended to provide irrigators in the Red Cliffs district (VIC) with year-round access to irrigation water.
The project is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth and Victorian State governments and Lower Murray Water (LMW).
SMP Project Director, Mike Walsh said, “These works ensure that the Red Cliffs District receives maximum benefit from the $120 million dollar SMP, the biggest upgrade of irrigation infrastructure in the history of the Sunraysia region.”
“As we progressed through the SMP’s detailed design phase we identified opportunities where we could value‐add, and the Red Cliffs Pipeline System is the third enhancement we’ve been able to incorporate,” Mr Walsh said.
“The work at Red Cliffs will now extend the proposed pipeline by an additional 3.9 km, from C re‐lift pump station to Pillars Outfall,” he said.
“This means the area serviced by 365‐day supply in the Red Cliffs District will increase by 905 hectares. In Red Cliffs 91.5 % of irrigation assessments will receive 365‐day water supply, up from 71.5% previously planned.”
Mr Walsh said a major benefit to the Red Cliffs community would include additional channel removals through urban areas.
“2.2 kilometres of channel through Red Cliffs will now be removed, including the channel running adjacent to the nursing home. Three council channel bridges and several private bridges will also be removed,” he said.
Mr Walsh said the additional work would be achieved within the agreed budget, without any extra capital expenditure or funding and within existing project milestone dates.
The Red Cliffs announcement follows enhancements previously confirmed for the Merbein and Mildura Districts.
“Our focus is to deliver 365‐day water supply to as many irrigators as possible. Our aim is to deliver a flexible and practical plan to achieve the maximum possible benefit for irrigators and the community,” Mr Walsh said.
