Western NSW communities are being invited to offer feedback on a proposed $5.2 million water security project that could lead to more water being returned to the environment to better protect and restore waterways across the Murray Darling Basin.

The Trangie Agricultural Research Centre Syphon Project is designed to improve water security for its members, create long-term water savings, and aid in water recovery efforts across the basin. 

Modernising the 1968 syphon will reduce water losses and system failures by:

  • replacing nearly 400-metre of reinforced concrete pipeline;
  • lining 40,000sqm of channel with a barrier material to reduce erosion, conserve water and enhance irrigation efficiency;
  • installing an automated debris screen to prevent blockages and safeguard water infrastructure.

The syphon is a key piece of infrastructure within the Trangie-Nevertire Irrigation Scheme that supplies agricultural water to 33 farms across 102,000 hectares and enables water to be taken from its pump station and moved downstream, NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said. 

"The Trangie-Nevertire Syphon is a critical piece of infrastructure that enables water to get where it needs to go, but it’s now more than half a century old and is a major cause of water leakage and is at risk of failing completely if it’s not upgraded,” Ms Hingerty revealed.

“Modernising this infrastructure would hit the mark by recovering 800ML of water per year which is a major win for the environment and irrigators with the savings being shared equally between the two.,” she added 

If the project goes ahead, it will save approximately 800ML of water per year, with half of this going directly back to the environment and the rest being used for irrigation purposes.

“Any lever that we can pull to maximise water savings and boost water security in Western NSW, which is prone to drought, will put agriculture and the Murray-Darling Basin in a stronger position to withstand a more variable climate.

“The NSW Government has been very clear that it doesn’t support water buybacks, and this program is a great example of how overhauling water infrastructure can boost water for the environment without the need for buybacks,” Ms Hingerty explained. 

Submissions close on Monday, April 28.  Feedback will be considered carefully and will help determine if the project will progress to a formal funding application to the Australian Government.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on this proposed project, because community feedback will help us determine the next steps,” Ms Hingerty concluded.