Today marks a century of irrigation in the Macalister Irrigation District and we're celebrating the past and future opportunities to build on the region’s agricultural success.
On the 15 October 1925, the first flows of water were delivered along the Main Northern Channel to supply farms in the Boisdale area, and Gippsland’s fledging irrigation was born.
Southern Rural Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said the vision and hard work of the region’s forebears laid the foundations for a legacy we are proud to build on today.
“Building Glenmaggie Dam and delivering reliable water was a game changer for the region and enabled 3,600 hectares to be brought into production, primarily for sugar beet,” he said.
“Today, the Macalister Irrigation District covers 53,000 hectares of land that produces some of Australia’s finest food and fibre that people love here and overseas,” he said.
Much of the district’s water infrastructure was built in the 1920s and provided the lifeblood to enable prosperous farming communities to grow around Maffra, Sale and Stratford.
Mr FitzGerald said Southern Rural Water’s recently completed modernisation program has secured the region’s farming future and enabled farmers to invest in next-generation technology.
“Together with the Victorian and Federal governments we’ve invested nearly $200 million over the last two decades replacing outdated infrastructure with new pipelines and automated outlets,” he said.
“These upgrades are allowing us to save water, implement best-practice water use and allow farmers to invest in technology that makes them more efficient, productive and climate resilient,” he said.
Southern Rural Water completed the Newry Pipeline in February 2024, wrapping up the final phase of the Macalister Irrigation District Modernisation Project.
Mr FitzGerald said the project has delivered a legacy that sets up the region for future success and allows conversations for how more benefits can be achieved.
“While we are reflecting on the past today, we’ve already started reimagining what’s to come through our Macalister Fresh Project,” he said.
“We’ve been working closely with our customers, community and partners to develop a vision for the future that will drive further investment and provide a pathway for achieving our regional aspirations by 2050.
“We’re excited to be working on the next phase of the Macalister Irrigation District’s journey and look forward to shaping it with the people who care about the region as much as we do.”