See also
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Centre-pivot spray irrigation system, Hay Plain - south-western New South Wales
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There are many parts of the Murray-Darling Basin where irrigation dominates the landscape and the regional economy. On an area basis alone, the Basin contains 72% of Australia's total area of irrigated crops and pastures. The important irrigation industries are dairy, cotton, rice and horticulture (in particular viticulture).
The value of irrigated production from the Basin has been estimated to be worth $3-$4 billion at the farm gate, with an estimated four fold multiplier in value through processing beyond the farm gate.
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The area under cotton in the Murray-Darling Basin provides 96% of Australia's total production for cotton. In 1998-99 this equated to 680 000 tonnes with a value of $1.25 billion. About 80% of the crop is grown under irrigation mainly along the Darling River and its tributaries in northern New South Wales and Queensland. In response to concerns with chemical use in cotton growing, the cotton industry has developed a Best Management Practice Manual for pesticide management. Arrangements are in place to achieve an industry objective for all cotton growers to comply with the manual by July 2001. |
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Cotton near Wee Waa, Namoi valley - Northern New South Wales |
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Centre pivot irrigation adjacent to river corridor
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Threats to nature conservation present complex challenges to irrigated regions. These regions have extensively modified landscapes that are often adjacent to areas that have a high nature conservation value.
Most of the significant irrigation areas in the Basin are included in catchment or regional Land and Water Management Plans. These plans include strategies to improve nature conservation and biodiversity management across the region, including wetland restoration and protection of vegetation and fish habitats.