Ten water infrastructure projects across SA are among 40 nationwide which are set to share in $108-million in federal funding under the National Water Grid Connections funding pathway.
SA projects include irrigation water delivery infrastructure upgrades and creation of groundwater recharge areas to refill aquifer and groundwater supply.
The projects will contribute to delivering secure, affordable and reliable water for regional and rural Australia, and will improve water access to primary producers.
Specifically, the SA projects will create up to 1867 hectares of additional irrigable land, and connect 96 new customers or properties to water supply.
They are expected to create 1225 megalitres in additional storage capacity in SA, and create 1895 megalitres per annum of increased water availability, and will support 62 jobs during construction and 859 ongoing jobs.
The SA projects are as follows.
- Barossa Wine Grape Water Source Diversification - new infrastructure will be constructed to supply 800 megalitres per annum of additional water from a new source into an existing agricultural water supply system for wine producers.
- Callington Connection - a new 2 kilometre pipeline will be constructed to connect a recycled water storage facility, to supply primary production.
- Greenway's Irrigation Trust - the current river pumping station will be upgraded, enabling producers to shift to higher value crops.
- Improving water deliverability and accessibility in the Lower Murray reclaimed irrigation area - Irrigation water delivery infrastructure will be upgraded, as part of a pilot project to ensure continued access to water for irrigation.
- Pogona Barbata - Water for High-Tech Horticulture - a reverse osmosis plant and water retention and supply systems will be developed and constructed to improve water efficiency for high yield and high margin produce.
- Project 312 - The Olive Oil Project, Two Wells - a 5 kilometre pipeline extension will be constucted to the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme distribution network, with capacity for additional connections.
- Recycled Water Pipeline to Nairne - Stage 1 - a one kilometre pipeline will be constructed from a recycled water storage facility, improving access to primary producers in the region.
- Regional Recharge Farms - groundwater recharge areas will be created to refill aquifer and groundwater supply to minimise reductions in water allocations for primary producers.
- Waikerie Irrigated Agricultural Water Access and Security Project - a wetland and stormwater pipe infrastructure will be constructed for primary producers in the region.
- Water Recycled Project - Seven Point Pork, Port Wakefield - a water recycling plant will be upgraded, which will enable approximately 182 megalitres per annum of water to become available for irrigation for higher value crops in the area.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce said the funding would allow for infrastucture projects put forward by states and territories, to proceed.
"The National Water Grid Connections is all about driving the construction of smaller-scale projects over the next two years to provide short term economic stimulus," Mr Joyce said.
"The $3.5 billion National Water Grid Fund is paving the way to national water security, while promoting local economic activity and job creation along the way."
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