Irrigation Modernisation – The Lake Wyangan Project

The Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA)

Infrastructure Modernisation Planning

Characterised infrastructure into zones

Cost of operating and maintaining infrastructure

Revenue generated by customer charges

Volume of average annual water losses

Ability to meet all necessary contract and legal obligations

Agronomic potential of soils

Environment value of surrounding area

Land use changes/land use zones

Infrastructure Modernisation

Improve system efficiencies Meet changing customer

needs Reduce asset ownership costs Generate water savings Reduce infrastructure

footprint

Infrastructure Modernisation Strategy

Replace lined channels with gravity pipes

Replace Dethridge Wheels with compliant flow meters

Automate flow control structures

Support on-farm water efficiency improvements

Application for Australian Government funding under the Water for the Future initiative

Alliance Delivery Model

Used successfully on infrastructure projects Enables early commencement of the modernisation program Provides for constructor input during the design phases Strong likelihood of achieving outstanding performance Ensures high standards of work Provides opportunities for local

firms Maximises likelihood of

mitigating time/cost overruns Maximises the potential for

staff development

Lake Wyangan System

Closed system within a catchment of 7,000 ha Supplying around 200 properties Ageing concrete-lined gravity supply channels Constrained system

limited to 220 ML/day Mix of hobby blocks,

horticulture and large area Social amenity provided

by Lake Wyangan

Background

Lake Wyangan Modernisation

Replace ageing infrastructure that is at risk of failure Enable delivery of contracted levels of service Minimise the impact on water levels and water quality and

the overall environmental health of the Lake Wyangan catchment

Realise the estimated water savings target for the project

Objectives

Planning Options

Upgrade the existing supply system – Focus on renewal of ageing assets over water savings

Reconfigure the existing system – Focus on providing a secondary supply system for some areas

to address capacity constraints Build new assets to alleviate requirement to upgrade some

capacity constraints – Focus on creating new asset over renewal of existing assets

Options considered

Lake Wyangan Modernisation

Reline and widen 15.8km of ageing concrete-lined channel– Replace 122,000 sqm of concrete lining

Replace open channels and ageing pipelines with 13.8km gravity pipelines

Replace Dethridge wheels with flow meters compliant with Australian Standard AS4747

Install channel automation of flow control structures

Install remote monitoring of meters

Scope

Technical Risk Reduction

Earthwork remediation and compaction Concrete mix Shotcrete application Panel jointing materials Shotcrete finish

Shotcrete Lining Trials

Construction program

Construction will commence in May 2013 All works to be completed by November 2014 Pipeline and channel works have been designed to minimise

supply disruptions. Customers notified in advance of periods when the supply

system will be unavailable Priority for construction is:

– Supply and installation of gravity pipe lines– Channel re-lining and earthworks– Meter replacements– Channel automation

Construction Program

Customer Engagement

Timing May 2013 –Nov 2014 Nov 2013/Nov 2014

Planning options

Survey and detailed design

Outlet designs

Stakeholder forums

Individual face-to-face meetings

Construction:

– Civil

– Mechanical

– Electrical

Acceptance testing

New system begins operation

Key steps

Oct 2011– ongoing Oct 2011 – May 2013

Planning and design

Construction Testing/ Commissioning

Building relationships

Lake Wyangan Modernisation

Forecasting future customer behaviour and intentions Managing customer expectations Developing and adopting new design rules Establishing new business processes Anticipating changes to operating

practices Compressed construction window Delivering a successful project for

MI, customers and the region

Challenges

Acknowledgement

The Lake Wyangan Modernisation Project received funding of $50 million

from the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative through

the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in NSW

END