THE
MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION AREA (MIA)
The
MIA has been dogged by controversy since it was first mooted in 1904. A
major conflict of opinion was expressed concerning the size of the
farms. Originally, provision was made for small horticultural
holdings only. Experience has shown the need to diversify forms of
production but this can only come about through larger holdings. In
this way it is possible to bring large areas of second class land
into production under irrigation. The production of wheat, wool and
fat lambs on irrigated farms has added to the wealth of the MIA.
RICE:
No single industry has however, enjoyed such spectacular success as
rice growing. Rice was first tried as an experiment in the early
1920s and subsequently gained favour with large area farmers. The
area planted is more than 30 000 ha with an average yield of about 6
tonnes per hectare. Each farm is connected to the Water Resources
Commission's (WRC) supply system of about 3 000 km of channels to
convey the water from the main canal to farm boundaries.
THE
MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION AREA (MIA)
In
addition, the Commission operates a drainage system to collect
surplus water from Burrinjuck Dam to each farm boundary by
gravitation. There are about 3 000 farms supplied with water from the
MIA scheme. Generally, there are two types of farm within the MIA:
-
horticultural farms averaging about 16 ha
-
mixed farms of about 180-200 ha on which rice, winter
cereals and pastures constitute the major land use.
Each
farm has attached water rights ensuring a guaranteed minimum amount
of water. Additional supplies are available on request and if
available. Horticultural farms use about 98 megalitres per of water
annum on average compared with mixed farms which use about 895
megalitres on average.
