Yanco renewal projects get go ahead

6 Mar 2018 4:50 PM -

MEDIA RELEASE BELOW PROVIDED BY MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION

Yanco Village will soon reap the benefits of Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s extensive modernisation program, with $10 million worth of projects given the green light last week.

Planned works include the Yanco Stock & Domestic and Earthen Channel Rehabilitation project’s.

Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) CEO, Brett Jones, said the modernisation funding provided a great opportunity to rescale operations to meet the changing needs of Yanco Village customers.

"It is also a great opportunity to give something back to the community that is the birth place of irrigation in this area," he said.

"At MI we are building a new future together with our customers, and the community. These works will help us to do that."

The projects will involve considerable land rehabilitation and beautification works where channels are removed or piped.

A low pressure pumped pipeline and gravity piped system of channels will allow for the removal of open channels. Benefits include a safer environment through the removal of narrow crossings, improved aesthetics, better water control and a reduction in escape water and maintenance.

MI General Manager, Asset Delivery, Jody Rudd, said that MI have engaged with Yanco customers to determine what they wanted to do, and this consultation will continue throughout the implementation of the project.

"Some villagers told us that they no longer want the added cost of irrigation network access," he said.

"Others had concerns about open channels running close to their boundaries."

"We also needed to take account of Yanco community needs," Mr Rudd added.

"As a proud part of the local community, we see this as an opportunity to realign our supply network with contemporary community needs."

Mr Jones said that MI is committed leveraging off the benefits of modernisations projects to deliver value to all customers.

"It isn’t just Yanco customers who will be advantaged by the project," he explained.

"All customers will ultimately benefit through operating and maintenance savings and lower future refurbishment costs.

"This will in turn help us to reduce long term costs and keep prices down."

This program of works is funded by the Australian Government in exchange for water savings. MI and the Australian Government are working together to deliver projects that will optimise economic, social and environmental outcomes in the MIA.

For more information please contact MI on 6962 0200.

Photo: MI General Manager, Asset Delivery, Jody Rudd inspecting a channel in Yanco

Media Contact: Peter Duncan, Communications Officer, phone 0427 235 646 or 02 6962 0200.