THERE will be no irrigation supply from the main canal for up to 11 weeks to allow Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) to upgrade all major regulating structures.
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MI chief executive officer Brett Jones said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the way the business operates.
“These upgrades (from late May) will increase the main canal flow capacity and flow rates, which will in turn help us to reduce long term costs,” he said.
The $15-million dollar refurbishment of the main canal, funded by the federal government, will enable MI to maximise the benefits of the $118 million already invested in automation projects across the network. “It will also support any future investment in the network,” Mr Jones said.
From May 26 to early August there will be no access to irrigation water from the main canal and the supply systems that branch off it.
“This means that we are unable to schedule a winter watering period this year,” Mr Jones said. “We are looking at all avenues to minimise the impact on customers.”