Target 10 Communicator
July 2011 Edition
Environmental Site Assessments
An integral component of the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project (NVIRP) is to ensure all on-ground works, including construction activities, meet Department of Sustainability and Environment requirements with respect to native vegetation issues.
The Department of Primary Industries have been engaged by NVIRP to provide technical support to the modernisation project through the Environmental Site Assessment process. Specialised staff from the DPI Dairy Services Branch were selected for this important role to undertake assessment of environmental features within the proposed modernisation works areas across the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. These areas include the Murray Valley, Central Goulburn, Rochester, Torrumbarry and Pyramid Hill Irrigation Districts.
This Environmental Site Assessment process is necessary to ensure modernisation implementation has negligible environmental impacts. Environmental Site Assessments include:
- Native vegetation identification
- Cultural heritage issues
- Pest plant identification
- Farm access issues
- Compliance with current legislation
The Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project includes the upgrading or rationalisation of irrigation assets within the following Capital Works programs:
- Meters (Dethridge Wheels), see Figure 4.
- Regulators (Gates)
- Channel Lining and/or Decommissioning
- Connections (linking farms to the Backbone; including Meters, Regulators, Culverts, Crossings)
From time to time, DPI staff will be required to access existing irrigation easements to complete the Environmental Site Assessments. This will mean minimal disruption to landholders and allows prompt responses to NVIRP.
The Environmental Site Assessment process is important to the local community as it aims to retain significant high value environmental features. These environmental features can provide shade and shelter for stock during periods of inclement weather. Additionally, the process helps maintain and improve the integrity of the irrigation system in which the community relies on for agricultural production. The process is an integral component in supporting the social, economic and environmental factors across the irrigation network.
For further information with regard to Environmental Site Assessments, please contact Andrew Morrison at DPI Tatura Centre telephone (03)5833 5222 or email: andrew.morrison@dpi.vic.gov.au
Figure 4: Site proposed for Channel Rationalisation
