Drainage & Water Management
The overall purpose of our program is to evaluate water management at a regional scale, and reduce the uncertainty about the use of deep and arterial drainage. It includes a major drainage project at Dumbleyung.
There is considerable uncertainty about the effects that deep drains in major valley floors may have on agricultural production; on communities with the likelihood of increased flooding; on the environment with increased flows and acidity; and on infrastructure such as towns, roads and rail. Deep drainage is seen by many land managers as an effective tool to mitigate the effects of salinity. Approximately 1000 kilometres of drains are being constructed each year so it is very important to reduce uncertainties before large integrated drainage schemes can be constructed.
The Department is also adding to the Engineering Evaluation Initiative by additional investment in understanding the downstream impacts of drainage.
The objectives of this component are to:
- evaluate engineering options and to improve their use in managing dryland salinity for economic, social and environmental benefit through improved siting, design and cost-benefit analysis
- safely dispose of discharge waters
- implement works within a regional drainage context
- build the capacity for the Department to respond to proposals for rural drainage in accordance with the inter-agency Memorandum of Understanding.
