Ten per cent allocation announced
US more fortunate irrigators on the Murrumbidgee River system have been fortunate enough to get a starting allocation of 10 per cent of what we own for the coming irrigation season.
Unfortunately, my mates on the Murray River system have started on their usual zero per cent allocation of what they own.
At the time of writing, I have not found out what my crow eating mates have got.
But I am sure they will be stuck on their usual 100 per cent of what they own.
Off quota water
IT is nothing to do with my farm, but the Murray water system has got at least 10 days of what they now call supplementary water.
This is great for our district as things are drying out very quickly.
It also means that we can put some water in our Moulamein town lake.
Due to the limited capacity of our lake pump, it will mean about an inch a day for us old fellas or about 2.5cm for the young ones.
This supplementary water may be extended as there is a bit of excess flow coming down our rivers.
We have had a sniff of supplementary water in our Murrumbidgee system, but I was not game to mention our two days that we got last month until my Murray mates got some, except for Paul Fitzpatrick. I rang him because that is what we do to each other.
Don’t worry, he sent me photos of his pump running when he was able to start up.
We may get one more day of supplementary water in our Billabong Creek in the very near future.
They are getting it at the top so it is on the way.
Well done to those in charge. It shows that there is still a bit of common sense left in our very mixed up world of irrigation.
Bring it on.
Moulamein Heritage Village coming to life
THIS will be great for our little town.
The Moulamein Development Committee are to be congratulated for their tireless work in getting this project up and going.
Stage one received $473,000 from round two of the federal government Drought Communities Program Extension.
This will see the relocation of the jewel in the crown of the village, the Jeraly Woolshed, also the historic Weral Horse Stables, the Moolpa Station Blacksmiths Shop and also every kids favourite that went to school in Moulamein or Dhuragoon.
The old Dhuragoon School Building will also be relocated to become the information centre for the heritage village.
President Drew Harris said that funding has been a significant boost for the Moulamein economy, which has suffered from the drought of recent years.
There was also a further $95,000 grant to help the project as well as build a new modern amenities block at our caravan dump site to provide convenience for the travelling public.
Murray River Council mayor Chris Bilkey has welcomed the funding and said that the project has the potential to highlight and showcase the history of the region.
“Moulamein certainly has a great story to tell and the heritage village will be a living, breathing experience for tourists, school children and residents alike. With the ability to offer educational programs and heritage preservation experiences,” Cr Bilkey went on to say.
Work is well under way and it will be very interesting to see this great project come together. Well done to all involved.
River levels
THE Edward is steady at around 1.3 metres and 1000 megalitres a day.
Whether the rivers rise or fall at the moment with supplementary water on the go will depend how many farmers had the pumps ready to go with no water for two years.
I have heard there were a few desperate phone calls to the district mechanics and electricians as it was not announced until 8pm on a Friday night that it would start at 8am on Saturday morning.
