Cadell Plan Success in Murray Shire
The Cadell Land and Water Management Plan has proved a huge success in Murray Shire. A partnership between the government and the local community, it aims to achieve environmental, economic and social sustainability within its designated area. Covering 299,000ha, it is bounded by the Murray, Edward and Wakool Rivers and Gulpa Creek, encompassing the majority of the Murray Shire area as well as small sections of Wakool Shire and the Deniliquin Council area. Cadell has a rural population of around 4,750 people.
The Plan was developed in response to the ever-increasing rising water tables of the 1980s which threatened to induce land salinisation, endanger biodiversity, cause a decline in the local river systems and reduce agricultural productivity. Native vegetation was also under threat, with fears that animal and plant species would also be lost.
Implementation, which began in 1995, targets high water table management, channel seepage control, surface drainage and on-farm practices. The Plan promotes best practice management of the properties within its boundaries with on-farm practices, developed as part of a long-term farm management strategy, looking at both financial and environmental impacts. They include preparation of farm plans and introduction of irrigation recycling as well as encouraging changes in crops and pastures, along with the timing of irrigation watering.
The farming community has embraced the Plan and has worked hard towards its implementation ‘putting their money where their mouths are’. From the beginning of the Plan over $12.5M has been spent in the district through the Plan on improvements, of this, $8.8M has been claimed through the incentive program. But they are not carrying the burden alone. Each landholder has access to incentives through the program by demonstrating an awareness of best management practices, submitting a farm map identifying soil types, remnant vegetation, waterlogged and saline areas, as well as current and proposed irrigation layouts.
Money is available for the development of farm plans, construction of on-farm storages and implementation of recycling systems as well as seed for establishment of perennial pastures. There is also substantial incentive money available to fence off and rehabilitate stands of native vegetation and new areas of vegetation. Landholders can learn more about the Cadell Land and Water Management Plan by contacting the Project Officer, Claire Fitzpatrick at Murray Irrigation on 03 5881 9392.
Contact details
Claire Fitzpatrick, Project Officer
Tel: 03 5881 9392
clairef@murrayirrigation.com.au
