State Rivers and Water Supply Commission of Victoria

STATE RIVERS AND WATER SUPPLY COMMISSION

W.E. BROMFIELD, B.C.E ., E.W.S. , F.I.E . A ust.

CHAI RMAN

J.S.F. ROG ERSON , B.C. E., E.W.S., F. I.E. Aust .. . .. ..... . . .. . . ... ... .. . ... .

D EPUT Y CHAI RMAN

D.J . CONST ABLE, B.C.E ., E.W.S., M. I. E. Aust.

COMMI SS IONER

R. BIRD, J.P., .. . ... . ...... . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . .. . .. . .. . . . SEC RETARY

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Offices and Centres

Commission Storages

Irr igation Districts

Stock & Domestic and Urban Supplies

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STATE RIVERS & WATER SUPPL V COMMISSION Locations of offices and centres, irrigation districts and water supply systems and major storages.

Major storages of t he Victorian Water Commission and the River Murray Commission (R.M.C.) grouped according to their r iver systems.

River Murray 1 Dartmouth System 2 Hume (R.M.C. )

3 Yarrawonga (R.M.C.)

4 KowSwamp

Ovens 5 Buffalo River System 6 Wi lliam Hovel l

Broken 7 Nil lahcootie River System 8 Mokoan

NEW SOUTH WALES

• Leongatha

Goulburn 9 Eildon Wi rnrnera 23 Bell field River System 10 Waranga System 24 Fyans

11 Green 25 Lonsdale 26 Wartook

Campaspe 12 Eppalock 27 Taylor River System 28 Pine Loddon 13 Cairn Curran 29 Rock lands River System 14 Tull roop 30 Toolondo

15 Laanecoorie 31 Moora Moora 32 Green/Dock 16 Kerang Lakes

17 Boga 33 Pyke's Creek 18 Newlyn/Hepburn 34 Melton

Coliban 19 Upper Coliban 35 Merrimu River System 20 Lauriston Macalister 36 Glenmaggie

21 Malmsbury River ystem 22 SprinQ Gully

Urban 37 Devil bend Storages 38 Lystertield

39 Tarago 40 Rosslynne

0 50 100

km

BASS STRAIT

STATE RIVERS AND WATER SUPPL V COMMISSION

590 Orrong Road, ARMADALE. Victoria. 3143 Telex: Waterco AA 30739

1978 VICTORIA

The Honorable F .J. Granter, M. L.C.,

Minister of Water Supply.

Dear Mr. Minister,

ANNUAL REPORT 1977/78 VOLUME ONE

October 16th, 1978

In accordance with provisions of the Water Act, the Annual Report of the State Rivers

and Water Supply Commission for the year ended 30th June, 1978, is submitted

to Parliament.

Yours sincerely,

W.E. BROMFIELD Chairman

State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.

CONTENTS

The Year in Brief

Water for Farms

Forward Planning

Salinity Control and Drai

Water Resource Management and Land Utilization

Water Resource Assessment

Finance

Administration

Victorian Water Supply Statistics

Lands Under I

Production

Capacities of Storages

No. 73-14218/78- Price 80 cents By Authority: F.D. Atkinson, Government Printer, Melbourne Financial and Irrigation Statistics for 1977-78 are contained in Volume Two of this Report. Ordered by the Legislative Assembly to be printed.

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THE YEAR IN BRIEF

•Irrigation usage throughout the State amounted to 2,896,382 M I, the second highest on record. The ability of the system to meet this high demand during a drought period enabled farm production to be maintained and demonstrated the benefits of irrigation for the State of Victoria.

•construction of the new Tyabb­Mornington Pipeline, which will permit the transfer of water from the Tarago­Westernport Pipeline to Mornington Reservoir for supply to Mornington, Mt. Martha and Mt. Eliza, was close to completion.

• Construction began on a 95 M I capacity service basin at Pakenham, while installation has commenced on three major pumping stations to boost pressures in the Dromana-Portsea area.

•Three new town water supplies began operating, while construction of new supplies either continued or commenced in fourteen other towns.

•Five new sewerage authorities were constituted and seven new schemes were approved.

•Further progress was made in the field of water treatment. New plants were constructed by local authorities in a number of country towns where the water quality was less than desirable.

•construction of the training centre for operators of wastewater treatment plants at the Department of Agriculture's State Research Farm, Werribee, was nearing completion.

•The Dartmouth Dam embankment level was constructed to a height of 159 metres above the river bed and 95 per cent of the total volume of 14,000,000 m3 of material was placed. The diversion tunnel was closed in November, 1977, and storage of water was thus commenced.

•The Lerderderg River- Goodmans Creek Tunnel, which is part of the Merrimu Reservoir Project, was completed.

•The development of guidelines for the identification of flood prone areas and criteria associated with their subsequent management was given high priority.

WATER FOR FARMS

Weather conditions were, generally, very dry throughout the State for most of the year with the most pronounced effects being in northern and western Victoria where many municipalities were declared drought areas. Although the irrigation storages received very low inflows in the winter and spring of 1977, carry over volumes held in the major storages enabled the strong demand for irrigation supplies to be met and the total deliveries for irrigation throughout the State amounted to 2,896,382 M I. This is the second highest figure recorded. Farm production was able to continue at a high level in the irrigation districts, particularly in pur~uits such as dairying, in contrast to the situation in the drought affected non-irrigated areas.

Irrigation Development Current emphasis in irrigation development is directed towards consolidation and improvement of existing irrigation facilities rather than creation of new districts or extensions of existing ones which would require large expenditures of public capital funds. Some further development is, however, likely to continue under private diversion where costs are entirely met from private sources.

Capital expenditure in irrigation districts during 1977/78 amounted to $4.6 million shared equally between supply and drainage works improvements. Expenditure on supply works, excluding major dam construction, was directed to improving the efficiency of water distribution and reducing operating

costs. Drainage funds were expended on groundwater control and surface drainage extensions as well as improvements in the Shepparton Region of the Goulburn­Murray Irrigation District and the Werribee and Macalister Districts.

Subdivision of lands in irrigation districts has accelerated in recent years. In some localities, particularly those adjacent to large urban centres, such as Swan Hill and Shepparton, this has resulted in an increase in the number of small properties for hobby farming and rural residential purposes. This trend has brought about significant changes to the irrigation system in these areas as additional supply facilities are needed which generally require more frequent operation to service the greater number of holdings. However, no additional revenue results from such subdivisions.

Irrigation Season The 1977/78 season followed a similar pattern to the 1976/77 season, the main feature being the continuation of very dry conditions throughout the northern areas of the State.

By the end of the irrigation season Lake Eildon had been drawn down to 42 per cent of its total capacity and Lake Eppalock to 43 per cent, the lowest these storages have been since construction, except for the drought year of 1967/68. Lake Hume was drawn down to 24 per cent of its capacity.

Despite dry conditions for much of the irrigation season, the seasonal allocation for the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation

District and for Campaspe Irrigation District irrigators reached 200 per cent of allocated Water Right on 10th April, 1978, following the early season announcement of 130 per cent at the beginning of August, 1977. General rains in late March and early April enabled the ultimate allocation of 200 per cent to be reached.

Some 27 per cent of irrigators in the Goulburn·Murray Irrigation District did not exceed their Water Right allocations; a further 26 per cent used 1 00 to 130 per cent of Water Right and the remaining 47 percent 130 to 200 per cent. 570 out of a total of approximately 10,400 irrigators in the Goulburn·Murray Irrigation District took advantage of the Commission's decision to permit transfer of sales allocations between separate holdings worked as a single farm, the quality so transferred amounting to 29,100 M I.

Off·quota supplies were made available for a short period in August to irrigators receiving supplies from the Murray, Goulburn and Lodden Rivers. Additional off-quota supplies were made available on the Murray in September and October when shorHerm surplus flows occurred in specific reaches of the River. The total off-quota supplies amounted to 33.460 M I.

In the Shepparton Region, there was a continuation of the recession of water­tables from the peak levels reached in

Commission officer inspects a peach tree in a Gou!burn-Murray District orchard. Most of Australia's export canned and deciduous fruit· peaches, apricots and pears - comes from the District.

WATER FOR FARMS (CONT.)

1975. Above average rainfall from March, 1978. onwards reversed this trend and watertable rises of varying magnitudes were noted. However. in the most sensitive areas (horticultural). levels were still satisfactory at the end of 1977/78.

Similar trends were evident in the Kerang Region, where watertables were generally deeper than their normal level through 1977 and early 1978, With the wet conditions in the latter part of 1977/78, watertables commenced to show a rising trend to former levels.

In the Macalister Irrigation District deliveries totalled 131.407 M I which included 19.743 MI of off-quota supplies during the spring months.

Inflows to Lake Glenmaggie were lower than any previously recorded during the late spring and summer months and, as a consequence, the volume was reduced from a full reservoir in mid-October to only 15 per cent of its maximum capacity in mid-March. However, heavy rains in G ippsland during late March and early April resulted in substantial inflows and enabled the seasonal allocation of 120 per cent of Water Right at that time to be lifted so that there was no restriction on irrigation supplies for the remainder of the season.

Deliveries in the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation Districts where there were no restrictions on irrigation supplies. totalled 19.700 MI for the season.

Production of dried fruit in the Sunraysia area was seriously reduced because of hail damage at Red Cliffs and Merbein.

Private Diversions The private diversion of water direct from streams was authorised during the year under 2549 licences and 8731 annual perm its. The volume authorised for irrigation was 299,600 M I.

Metering of private diversions under licence has progressed to the stage where the overall metering program throughout the State is 90 per cent complete, costing some $370,000 to date. Supply under annual permits is not metered.

Until Dartmouth Dam is operational, the only uncommitted resource available for private diversions from the northern stream systems is some 3,500 M I from Lake William Hovel! on the King River. Summer flows in southern stream systems are, with minor exceptions, also fully committed. 1\Jew diversions can be authorised only on condition that the whole of the summer water requirement is met from winter-filled storages.

Irrigation from groundwater authorised under 4,350 licences totalled 243,500 M I. Excessive drawdown, with only 32 per cent metered usage of authorised volumes. continues to be a matter of concern in the Koo-wee-rup/Dalmore G roundwater Conservation Area.

Salinity Control Salinity readings in the River Murray at Pental Island were well below 500 E.C. units for most of the season which is quite acceptable. As a result of close control of irrigation outfalls, Barr Creek flows were, generally, low and practically the whole Creek flow was diverted to the

Lake Tutchewop operative basin during the critical spring and summer months. The resulting salinity benefit in the River Murray at Pental Island ranged from 50 to 150 E.C. units.

Salinity levels in the Sunraysia region measured at Merbein varied between 500 and 800 E,C. units for much of the season. The Lake Hawthorn Diversion Scheme was operated to the maximum extent possible to divert saline flows from Mildura and Merbein areas to inland evaporative basins with salinity in the River reduced by up to 30 E.C. units.

Wimmera Mallee Domestic and Stock System Approximately 208,000 M I was released for the irrigation and stock and domestic systems in the Wimmera/Mallee in 1977 I 78, the largest volume since 1967. Despite dry conditions through out the Wimmera/ Mallee for most of the year, crop yields were about average in most areas.

The quantity of water in the Grampians storages has now fallen below one-third of its maximum and, in just over two years, has fallen from an all time peak of 755.240 MI to 218.000 M I by the end of June 1978. This trend, if not halted by good catchment rains, could result in severe restriction in future seasons.

Dairying is ~·he rnos1 widespread land use in ~he Gou!burn !\/U""A:Y !rrigat1on District.

WATER AND SEWERAGE FOR TOWNS

Urban Water Supply Systems -Commission Districts The Commission directly administers four major urban systems, viz. Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula, Otway and Coliban Systems, as well as some 60 small urban systems spread over the State.

The level of growth in the four major urban systems continued to increase substantially. The greater proportion of new services were connected in the Mornington Peninsula System which increased at a rate of 5.2 per cent involving a further 3782 new services.

The works program was directed at the extension and augmentation of all the systems to provide for this additional development, allowing for only limited works to improve water quality because of the limitation of funds for capital works.

Total revenue from rates and charges was generally increased by about 18 per cent to provide for inflation and to cover the costs associated with the capital works program and additional services.

Some 120 water supply extensions, undertaken by landowner finance under the Local Government (Subdivision of Land) Act, 1973, were connected to provide a service to about 1200 lots throughout the four areas. Improvements in financial arrangements enabled these schemes to be completed at a faster rate, thus providing a better service to property owners. Total landowner contributions amounted to $990,000.

During the year, 1250 subdivisions within exisiting urban districts, were submitted for the Commission's consent prior to the sealing of plans. Recent amendments to legislation have removed anomalies relating to the payment of distribution contributions on properties fronted by subdividers' mains.

The current rate of growth of services {5.2 per cent) over the four major systems is expected to continue at least into the middle 1980's.

Mornington Peninsula System In general, consumption was high. There were only isolated instances where water pressure was less than desirable. Improvements to the system are being undertaken to augment supply to the majority of these low-pressure areas.

Augmentation of major headworks and trunk conveyor mains continued during the year to increase the volume of water available to the rapidly developing Mornington Peninsula. Some $3 million was spent on these projects during the year.

The Tarago-Westernport Pipeline, costing $19.7 million and commissioned in 1977, will increase the transfer capacity from Tarago Reservoir to the distribution system serving the Peninsula and provide a supply to the new 300 M I capacity Tyabb Basin which was largely completed during the year. This basin will provide balancing storage for areas supplied from the Tarago-Westernport Pipeline.

Construction of the new Tyabb­Mornington Pipeline, which will permit the transfer of water from the T arago­Westernport Pipeline to Mornington Reservoir for supply to Mornington, Mt. Martha and Mt. Eliza, is also nearing completion.

To improve supply to the higher areas of Mt. Eliza, the Commission approved the installation of a pumping station at Mornington Reservoir and a new 500 mm diameter pipeline. Pipes were purchased and construction will commence in the 1978/79 financial year.

Negotiations are continuing with the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works and the Treasury to conclude arrangements for a bulk supply from Cardinia Reservoir to supplement supply to the Mornington Peninsula. In the meantime, the Commission has adopted a route for the new Cardinia-Frankston Pipe I ine to bring water from the Reservoir into the system. Design works for the pipeline are under way and construction is scheduled to commence in the 1978/79 financial year.

Control of the supply to Hampton Park and South Dandenong, at present supplied from the Lysterfield Reservoir, was transfered to the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works on 1st July, 1978. Lysterfield Reservoir will, therefore, no longer be required for urban use and its future is to be determined by the Government following recommendations by a Committee set up to report to it on this matter.

Capital works for the fluoridation of the water supply to the Mornington Peninsula were completed and plants at Hallam, Tonimbuk, Devilbend and Tarago operated satisfactorily.

Improvement works are also being undertaken for supply to other parts of the system and the new pipelines augmenting the supplies to the townships of Cranbourne and Pakenham became operational.

Construction began on a 95 MI capacity service basin at Pakenham, while installation has commenced on three major pumping stations to boost pressures in the Dromana-Portsea area.

5

The Commission approved, in principle, major works to improve supply to existing consumers and, at the same time, provide for large-scale development in the Berwick, Narre Warren and Harkaway areas of the Mornington Peninsula, at an estimated cost of $11 million.

Residents in Upper Beaconsfield now have a reticulated water supply following commissioning of the scheme during the year. Supply to the township of Wonthaggi improved as a result of the placing into service of a 2 M I capacity standpipe together with improvements to the reticulation system.

Bellarine Peninsula System Water demand on the Bellarine Peninsula over the period November to December, 1977, was 34 per cent higher than previously recorded and the continuation of this trend into January had the effect of significantly depleting storages. lt became necessary to reduce demand, mainly by banning fixed sprinklers, until 14th February, 1978, when normal supplies were resumed, following improvement in the storage position.

The works program over the last two years has been considerably expanded and expenditure very greatly increased. The implementation of the proposed forward look program, together with the duplication of the Bellarine pipeline, being undertaken in stages by the Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust. wi 11

ensure an adequate supply for the predicted development of the Bellarine Peninsula.

A total of $945,000 was spent on capital works during the year to provide additional water supplies in the Oueenscliff. Point Lonsdale, Torquay, Jan Juc, Drysdale and Wallington areas because of significant increases in new development, and to provide improved supply to existing consumers.

The new Drysdale-Portarlington Pipeline, which will benefit new development and existing consumers in the Drysdale, Portarlington, Indented Head and St. Leonards areas, was brought into service in November, 1977. Work also began on the first stage of replacing the existing Oueenscliff pipeline, including provision of a temporary booster pumping station. These works are expected to be operational by the summer of 1978/79 and will improve the supply to existing and future consumers in the Oueenscliff and Point Lonsdale areas.

Otway System Diversions from the Gellibrand River at Carlisle and from the Lower Gellibrand River, through the South Otway Pipeline,

WATER AND SEWERAGE FOR TOWNS (CONT.)

provided adequate resources to meet demand without excessive storage draw-down.

Some $380,000 was spent on cap ita! works throughout the system to improve water quality and quantity, as well as faci I itati ng operations generally.

A program of mains renewal in the townships of Terang and Carpendeit was completed during the year. A similar program was approved for the Otway Rural District, and for Cobden, to be installed in the 1978/79 financial year.

Improvements are under way for the offtake and screening arrangements at the Arkins Creek diversion weirs. These works, to be completed in the 1978/79 financial year, will improve water quality in the system.

Water quality for the township of Warrnambool was improved by the installation of a chlorinator at Brierly Basin.

Coliban System The unusually dry weather experienced in the September-March limited the initial allocations for irrigation to 115 per cent of permit volumes. With unrestricted urban supplies it was expected that storages would be drawn down to minimum carry-over volumes by the end of the year. However, rainfall later in the year increased the amount of water in storage and permitted the irrigation allocation to be increased to 125 per cent of permit volumes.

Urban consumption for the year was higher than previously recorded reflecting the I ong, dry period experienced.

Work has continued on a water mains replacement program in the Greater Bendigo area, Castlemaine and other towns served by the Coliban System. This $1 million program of works will improve water quality and water distribution operations in these areas.

Improvements to water supply systems serving the townships of Sebastian, Taradale, Elphinstone, Marong and Maiden Gully are either, under way or, approved for installation. Of these works, the most significant is the supply to Marong-Maiden Gully where considerable subdivisional development is occurring. In this case the Commission proposes a three stage, $0.5 million program of works based on supply from the Specimen Hill Reservoir.

Upgrading of the supply system serving Maldon is now complete with the commissioning, during the year, of a 5 MI storage tank, the last phase of a $1.4 million program of works.

Works are proceeding in each of the three separate supply systems serving the Greater Bendigo area. A $1.5 million pumped supply system utilising the Spring Gully Reservoir was brought into operation during the year.

Other Commission Urban Districts Installation of a pipeline commenced to en ab le fully treated water to be

supplied to Merbein from the works of the Mildura Urban Water Trust. lt is proposed that the Trust will assume control and management of the works supplying the Merbein Urban District.

Major works completed in other urban districts included a new main at Red Cliffs and a new ground level storage at Sea Lake.

Local Authorities Water Supply The \!Vater Commission generally supervises the activities of local water authorities (Waterworks Trusts and Local Governing Bodies) which have been constituted as separate responsible bodies under the provisions of the Water Act.

New town supplies began operating at Girgarre and Merino. The Bacchus Marsh Shire Council was constituted as a local governing body for the purpose of supplying water to the township of Myrniong.

The construction of new town supplies continued at Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven, Girgarre, lnverleigh, Loch, Merino, Nyora, Poowong and Shelford while construction commenced at Caramut, Cowwarr, East Shepparton, Myrniong and Porepunkah.

General approval has been given to proposals for supply to Nowa Nowa, Tallarook and Waubra.

Concreting the floor of the new Tyabb basin, at the ao•....vnstream end of the Tarago~Westernport pipeline. Part of the pipeline can be seen above the bank at too left.

There are now 207 local authorities, including the Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board, the Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust and the West Moorabool Water Board providing supplies to 317 towns.

Work continued on the replacement of Horsham's main supply pipeline with some 2.7 km of 675 mm diameter, concrete-lined, steel pipe being installed. Construction of a 36 M I capacity concrete-lined excavated basin, with an aluminium roof, to augment the water supply to Portland, was completed at a cost of $617,000.

A contract was let for $1.6 million for the construction of a combined 24 M I capacity raw water and 20 M I capacity, clear water above ground concrete storage at Warrnambool.

Water treatment plants are under construction at Hurstbridge, Maryborough and Warracknabeal, while tenders are being invited for new plants at Traralgon and Cobram. In addition, the Swan Hill Waterworks Trust began supplying treated water to Lake Boga, following completion of a pipeline from the Trust's system to the township.

The number of towns which receive a fully treated supply has increased from five in 1954 to forty-eight by June, 1978.

Sewerage Works New sewerage authorities were constituted for Broadford, Daylesford (including Hepburn), Shire of Healesville, Shire of Narracan (Trafalgar and Yarragon) and Strathmerton. There are now 128 constituted sewerage authorities throughout Victorian country areas, in addition to the Geelong Water and Sewerage Trust, the Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board, and the Eildon Sewerage District, which is administered

the Commission.

New sewerage schemes were approved for Ballan, Bright, Gisborne, Rosedale, Stanhope and Woodend, and arrangements are proceeding for the constitution of sewerage authorities for these towns in the near future.

The scheme for Yinnar was generally approved and the Yinnar Sewerage District was proclaimed. This scheme will be operated under the control of the Morwell Sewerage Authority.

Preliminary reports were submitted for schemes at Glenmaggie (and Glenmaggie East), Coongulla and Barmah, bringing the number of schemes currently under consideration to forty-two.

Construction of a steel standpipe (water supply tank} which will serve part of the Mornington Peninsula Water Supply System.

Three new sewerage schemes at Eden hope, Hastings and Yea began operating during the year bringing the number of sewerage systems in operation to 107. Schemes for lnverloch and Sunbury will commence operation late in 1978.

The Tallangatta Sewerage Authority was amalgamated with the Shire of Tallangatta Sewerage Authority to enable sewerage works to be undertaken at Tallangatta and Bellbridge.

New schemes are under construction in Bellbridge, Cobden, Cowes, Creswick, lnverloch, Melton, Nagambie, Romsey, Sunbury and Tongala.

Funds expended on sewerage works authorised by the Commission amounted to over $3.3 million from Works and Services funds and some $20.5 million

from private borrowings.

Operator Training Centre Work is well advanced on the construction of the Centre for training operators of wastewater treatment plants being established by the Water Commission at the request of the Victorian Water Resources Counci I, at the Department of Agriculture's State Research Farm, Werribee. The Centre is being financed mainly from a grant of $360,000 spread over two years, made available through the National Sewerage Program Support Activities.

The Centre, the first of its type to be established in Australia, is expected to be completed by the middle of September, 1978.

MAJOR PROJECTS

Dartmouth Dam Dartmouth Dam, currently approaching completion in north-eastern Victoria, is an earth and rockfill embankment which will be 180 m high, Australia's highest dam to date. The 4,000,000 MI capacity reservoir, with a catchment of 3600 km2 , will increase the River Murray system's seasonal and long-term carry-over capacity and improve its regu lation.

The dam and associated works are being bui lt for the River Murray Commission under the supervision of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, Victoria , the Constructing Authority for this project . The three States of New South Wales , South Australia and Victoria are partners with the Federal Government in the scheme, each being represented on the River Murray Commission . The estimated cost of the project in March 1978, was $ 128 mi llion.

At the end of June, 1978, the embankment level for all zones was some 159 m above the riv"!r. The volume of material placed was 95 per cent of the total volume of 14,000,000 m3. The contractor for the project, Thiess Bros. Pty. Ltd ., expects to complete work on the embankment in November 1978.

The year's activities were highlighted on 3rd November, 1977, when the diversion tunnel, which had been in use since 1975, was closed and storage of water commenced. This event was marked by a subsequent visit by the Premier, the Honroable R .J. Hamer, who lowered the 25 tonne stainless steel bulkhead into position at the bottom of the low-level outlet tower to permit storage of water to proceed.

Fo llowing closure of the diversion t unnel, construction of the low-level valve and expans ion (energy dissipation) chambers proceeded. The valve chamber will house two slide gates each 1.5 m wide by 3.0 m high . These gates were supplied under contract by the Ordnance Factory, Department of Manufacturing Industry, at Bendigo.

The high-level outlet works were completed. Reinforced concrete structures completed during the year included the 3 1 m high intake tower at the upstream portal of the high-level tunnel, the shaft and hoist house for the coaster gate, and the valve house and outlet chute at the downstream portal. The coaster gate which w as also supplied under contract by the Ordnance Factory at Bendigo was installed .

The release of water through the high­level outlet works will be for both irrigation and hydro-electr ic power generation . The State Electricity

Commission continued construction of a power station of 150 MW capacity at the downstream toe of the embankment. A commencement was made with the construction of a 4500 M I capacity pondage which will smooth out discharge f luctuations aris ing from operation of the power station on peak load.

All works under the main dam contract , except the final c lean-up and departure, are expected to be completed by December 1978.

Merrimu Reservoir Project­Stage Two The contractor completed the Lerderderg River- Good mans Creek Tu nnel, and the Commission's day labour forces cont inued construction of the diversion weir on the Lerderderg River.

Concrete for t he invert of the tunnel and the downstream condu it section was placed.

Work on the weir is well advanced. All foundation and grou ting works have been completed, while some 66 per cent of the total concrete has been p laced. Fabri cat ion of metalwork for the three radia l gates began and design of the control mechanism is well advanced.

Other Storages Replacement of lock gates and the installation of electrically operated hydraulic equipment are in progress at Torrumbarry Weir. Valves and associated fixtures are being replaced as requ ired.

A program of surveil lance of major dams was instituted and regular maintenance was carried out to ensure the safe, long­term operation of these works.

EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

Work •n p r o gress in the valve chamber of the diversion tun nel at t he Dartmouth Dam.

General view of the Dartmouth Dam showing the different zones of the embankment. In the

for ground , a survey team is at ork.

20 0 tOO 200

FULL SUPPLY LEVEL

8

SCALE OF METRES

WORK COMP L ETED 30TH JUNE 1978

FORWARD PLANNING

The Water Commission's broad objective within its statutory responsibilities is to advise the Government on water policy and management of the water resources oft he State. In planning the conservation, control and use (in lcuding re-use) of those resources it has regard to the economic, environmental and social aspects of their development and management. In doing so the Commission co-operates with other Commonwealth, State and Local Government agencies to ensure the optimum development of those resources in the best interests of the wider community.

Major projects generally require a considerable time to pass through the stages of investigation, preliminary design, public inquiry, Government approval, detail design and construction. For that reason and to facilitate the forward planned management of the water resources of the State, on a priority basis, the Commission allocates capital funds for investigation into particular projects in its long term works and financial program.

Some of the items included in the Commission's current forward planning program are presented below.

Mitchell River Dam Detailed design of a 15,000 MI capacity dam on the Mitchell River, approved by the Government in 1974, will commence

The Water Commission makes use of Earth Satellite

Imagery as a tool in the assessment of different

aspects of Victoria's water' resources. In this case, the

image is of Westernport and Port Phillip Bavs.

in the 1978/79 financial year. The proposed site of the dam is at Tabberabbera. near the Wentworth River junction, upstream of the Mitchell River gorge. The storage will enable private irrigation on the Mitchell River flats. under licence, to be extended to all irrigable lands on the flats. lt will also provide a reserve for future urban and industrial development in the region, and ensure that a river-freshening flow is maintained past Bairnsdale.

Any subsequent development of the Mitchell River water resources would depend on construction of a much larger storage in the vicinity, but this is not included in present plans.

Latrobe River System The question of storage construction in the Latrobe River system, particularly to support further development of therma I power stations in the brown-coal fields in the Yallourn-Loy Yang area, was the subject of an Inquiry by the Parliamentary Public Works Committee which has now completed its hearings, and will be publishing its report in the near future.

IVIerrimu Reservoir Enlargement The Merrimu Reservoir project has been planned in three stages since its inception in 1967 to provide greater security for existing irrigation in the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation Districts, and to support planned urban growth at

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Melton and Bacchus Marsh. Stage One comprised construction of the Merrimu Reservoir on Coimadai Creek to a capacity of 19,000 Ml and a tunnel to divert flows from Goodmans Creek to the reservoir. Stage Two comprised construction of a diversion weir on the Lerderderg River and a tunnel to Goodmans Creek, upstream of the Stage One diversion, while Stage Three will involve the enlargement of Merrimu Reservoir to 74,000 MI by raising the dam and carrying out associated works. The estimated cost of the enlargement is $11.3 million.

National Water Resources Program Under the Commonwealth National Water Resources (Financial Assistance) Act 1978 the Commonwealth is empowered to grant financial assistance to the States in connection with the development and management of national water resources.

Victoria. along with other States, has made a submission of projects for inclusion in the program. Although some assistance by way of non-repayable grants is expected towards the cost of implementation of salinity control measures in Northern Victoria over the next one or two years, these contributions wi 11 have little effect on the total availability of capital funds for water supply and drainage projects.

SALINITY CONTROL AND DRAINAGE

Combating Salinity in Northern Victoria The Commission's proposal put forward in 1973 for a $40 million (1975 costs) program of works and measures for salinity control and drainage in northern Victoria are still under public inquiry by the Parliamentary Public Works Committee. The Committee has already reported to Pari iament on one item, namely the Mildura-Merbein Groundwater Interception Scheme.

Depending on the outcome of decisions concerning other major items, such as the Lake Tyrrell Scheme, it is expected that expenditure on salinity control and drainage could build up to a level of about $4 million annually by 1980.

One of these proposals, namely, the interception of highly saline groundwater seeping into the River Murray between Mildura and Merbein, was strongly supported by the Committee in the Progress Report of June 1977. The Commission has since proceeded with detailed site investigations to finalise design in readiness for construction which is planned for commencement in the 1978/79 financial year.

The initial phase of construction, for these works, estimated to cost $660,000 will comprise groundwater pumping installations spaced along 10 km of the River Murray frontage upstream of Merbein, with connecting pipelines to an intermediate storage in Lake Ranfurly. A pump station and rising main will link with the existing pipeline, which takes saline water from Lake Hawthorn to the Wargan Basins, for disposal by evaporation.

The second phase, estimated to cost $150,000, will comprise an additional six groundwater pumps spaced upstream towards Mildura Weir, with connecting pipelines to the Stage One works. On completion, the works will be capable of intercepting highly saline groundwater containing a salt load of more than 60 tonnes a day.

The Commission is preparing further updated evidence on other components of its proposed strategy. During the year attention was concentrated on the Lake Tyrrell Scheme, Shepparton Region groundwater control and Nangiloc­Colignan drainage.

Lake Tyrrell The Lake Tyrrell Scheme, still under consideration by the Committee, would involve enlargement and extension of existing works to divert flows from Barr Creek for disposal by evaporation. Barr Creek, which drains irrigated lands in the

Cohuna- Kerang area, is a major contributor of salt to the River Murray. The present diversion works terminate in Lake Tutchewop and several other smaller lakes, the evaporative capacities of which are already fully utilised.

To en ab le a greater proportion of Barr Creek flows to be diverted and disposed of, it would be necessary to increase the capcity of the diversion works at Lake Tutchewop, and extend the disposal line to additional evaporation areas. lt is proposed that the initial phase of the Lake Tyrrell Scheme would take water from Lake Tutchewop to evaporative basins at the "mineral reserves" near Lake Boga. The second phase would extend the disposal line to Lake Tyrrell, 80 km west of Lake Tutchewop. The total cost of both stages of the scheme would amount to nearly $30 million.

The Lake Tyrrell Scheme is seen as an adjunct to a comprehensive system of groundwater extraction bores to protect irrigated areas throughout the Shepparton Region. The scheme would counteract additions of salt to the Murray resulting from outfalls of the non-re useable portion of extracted groundwater from the Shepparton Region.

Shepparton Region Work has proceeded on the installation of bores for protection of the horticultural areas in the Shepparton Region. This work had been commenced as an emergency measure before the current inquiry began. Work has also proceeded, on a long"term basis, to extend surface drainage for irrigation areas in the Region. There are now 55 bores operated by the Commission for groundwater control in horticultural areas in the Shepparton Region and a program to complete the protection of these areas is proceeding, with expenditure of about $200,000 a year.

Salinity of the extracted groundwater varies from place to place with an average of about 2500 E.C. units. As much as possible is injected into various supply channels for re-use, subject to conditions which limit salinity of the resulting mixed supply. Operation of the pumps is also subject to rules which limit any resultant rise in River Murray salinity due to the discharge of non-reusable groundwater via drains or supply channel outfalls.

Investigations Work continued on the installation of groundwater monitoring bores to build up comprehensive regional grids in the Shepparton and Kerang Regions. Intensive subsurface investigations commenced

11

near Karadoc Swamp, upstream of Red Cliffs, to examine the possibility of establishing interception works in that locality, similar to the Mildura-Merbein works, which would intercept a relatively concentrated flow of highly saline seepage into the River Murray in that area. Investigations were also begun, in conjunction with the Department of Minerals and Energy, on the relationship between groundwater behaviour in the "deep leads" and shallow aquifers.

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND LAND UTILIZATION

The Commission is not a statutory planning authority with respect to the development and utilization of land. lt does, however, by virtue of its responsibilities under the Water Act, the Environment Protection Act, the Local Government and Cluster Titles Acts and the Drainage of Land Act, have ~m important bearing on planning for land use, particularly with respect to servicing, liquid waste disposal and to flood plain management. In these latter matters it does have regulatory powers.

There has been a large increase in the number of hobby farms and rural residential development which add significantly to the responsibilities of servicing authorities and municipalities, both in their resource planning and servicing rates.

Flood Plain Management The development of guidelines for the identification of flood prone areas and criteria associated with their subsequent management was given high priority. Through the Flood Plain Management Committee, established by the Victorian Water Resources Council, the Commission assisted in the production of suitable guidelines to enable a State-wide policy to be formulated.

Considerable scope emerged for the practical analysis and application of flood plain management strategies. Work continued on some 38 major flooding investigations, highest priority being given where towns are subject to flooding; in particular, Echuca, Kerang, Nhill, Nathal ia, Morwell, Traralgon, Seymour, Benalla and parts of Bendigo. In these investigations analyses were made of the flooding characteristics of major stream systems and the effects on existing and planned development. As such, each study represents an essential input to the planning activities of the responsible authorities.

The investigations aim to identify, in consultation with all relevant agencies, acceptable strategies for the future management of flood prone lands within the overall objective of ensuring the wisest use of such lands. In many cases, aspects of existing or planned development are incompatible with natural and inevitable flooding characteristics. This calls for wide and frank discussion with authorities and people concerned, and the opportunity is taken to develop such consultation by the formation of ad-hoc consultative groups. This process has now been formalised in legislation enacted during the year.

Amending legislation also clarifies the role of the Commission as a drainage

authority and empowers the Commission to undertake, with the approval of the Government, positive action in implementing flood plain management strategies.

Considerable attention was given to the drainage and flooding characteristics of lands proposed for subdivision where such subdivisions were referred to the Commission for its consent pursuant to the Local Government (Subdivision of Land) Act 1973. Some 4000 subdivisions were processed, many of which required detailed analyses in this regard.

Opportunity was taken, both in respect to the area under investigation and in respect to specific problems highlighted during subdivision analyses, to advance community awareness of flooding problems by production of plans showing relevant areas. This process involved direct ground survey as well as production of aerial photographs and, in a number of instances, satellite imagery showing actual flood events.

As part of the establishment of an extensive network for the systematic collection and recording of flood data throughout the State, some 38 gauging stations were installed, with various types of continuous recording facilities to enable the characteristics of flood flows to be measured and recorded. Gauges were installed along major river systems, and in other areas under specific investigation, to enable peak flood heights to be recorded. As it becomes available this information wi 11 be recorded, for general use, on aerial photo maps of the flood plains.

Mapping programs were initiated for detailed survey and preparation of large­scale maps of flood prone areas. Highest priority was given to areas adjacent to

12

towns and cities that are located on flood plains.

Mapping is currently in hand for areas near Shepparton, Bendigo, Horsham, Echuca and Lang Lang.

River Management Twenty-seven river improvement trusts and four drainage trusts continued to operate under the River Improvement Act.

An amount of $1,100,000 was allocated by the Government to river improvement trusts and drainage trusts for works during the year. In addition, frontage grants amounting to $68,640 were authorised, which, together with a carry­over of frontage grant money from the previous year, resulted in a total of $1,192,380 being available; this amount was approximately 50 per cent of the funds requested by the trusts in their estimates.

Studies were continued by the Standing Consultative Committee on River Improvement, which was established in 1975 to advise the Commission on matters relating to stream management through out the State. The Committee completed a report recommending a strategy for stream conservation in the Wan non Valley. Guidelines for river management

works are being developed by the Commission in co-operation with River Improvement Trusts and the Consultative Committee.

Flood restoration grants totalling $486,410, in respect of the October 1976 flood, were carried forward into the 1977/78 financial year, while grants totalling $95,600 were made available to the Snowy and Latrobe Trusts to repair

sustained in the Spriny 1977 floods.

Works undertaken with the a id of a special grant of $165,000 to the Pental Island Improvement Trust, to complete the

lnfra··red aerial photography is an source of information to the Water lt plays a significant role in the Commission's progran1 of flood protection activities The photograph shows the extent of in the city of Traralgon caused by the of the Traralgon Creek on June 6, 1978.

remodelling of the l_oddon Floodway, are in progress.

River Improvement works on various streams were continued by municipal councils and other authorities with assistance by way of grants from the Rivers and Streams Fund. Grants totalling $140,346 were made "'"."....,'"'""'c'rl with $123,923 in the 1976/77 financial year and revenue received into the Fund for the year was $148,659.

Recreation Facilities at Storages Toll barriers were installed on access roads to the public picnic areas at Lake

and at fVelton, Cairn Curran, Malmsbury and Lauriston Reservoirs, at a cost of $46,500. An entry fee of 40 cents per vehicle is charged and these fees will be used for maintenance of the amenities. Consideration will be given to the installation of toll barriers at other storages after a suitable trial period.

A sewerage scheme was constructed at Creek Reservoir where sewage and effluent from the three public

toilets is to evaporative oxidation A grant of $20,000 was from the Department of State Development, Decentralization and Tourism to enable this work to be carried out.

works were also carried out

13

Lake Eildon, Vlctoria's largest reservoir, is the most popular inland boating and sports venue in the State.

in two sections of the Kimbolton Recreational Area at Lake Eppalock, at a cost of $43,500.

Following an by an inter-departmental the Government placed restrictions on further recreational development around the Lake, at least until further studies of the effects of existing development have been carried out.

Other works include and improvements to access roads at Lake Eppalock, Laanecoorie and Upper Col iban Reservoirs, the extension of boat ramps at Lake Eildon and Lake Eppalock, and the provision of picnic tables and barbecues at various storages.

An engineering consortium was commissioned to carry out a study to determine the recreational of Lake Eildon and its environs at an estimated cost of $45,000. The results the study, which are expected late in 1978, will assist in determining future Commission policy on recreational

at Lake Eildon

A new houseboat wastewater pump-out facil was established in the Ford arm of Lake Eildon by a private marine operator under licence to the Commission.·

WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT

Measurement of Surface Water Resources In June 1978 there were approximately 600 gauging stations operated by the Commission, of which 480 were on rivers and streams and the remainder on artificial carriers.

The gauging policy is to maintain permanent stations at key sites on major rivers, and to have temporary stations moved to new sites after recording flows for a period sufficient to establish correlations with key stations. River flow records have now been accumulated for 517 rated stations, with records exceeding ten years at 330 stations, twenty years at 156 stations, forty years at 51 stations and eighty years at nine stations.

Since 1964 gauging programs in all states have been aided by Commonwealth Government assistance under the National Water Resources Assessment Program.

The annual flow of rivers in Victoria varies widely between flood and drought years. The average flow is about 20,000,000 M I, of which about 80 per cent is in the eastern half of the state, distributed in about equal parts north and south of the Divide.

The total capacity of water storages in the state, completed and under construction, is about 10,000,000 Ml. Annual diversions are about 4,000,000 M I, 90 per cent of which is for irrigation.

Water Quality Monitoring Bacteriological and chemical water quality monitoring programs were provided for Commission supplies and for most water supply authorities outside the metropolitan area. Analysis of surface water sup pi ies was also carried through out the State as part of the National Water Resources Assessment Program.

In addition, comprehensive analytical and interpretative programs were provided for the following authorities , * the Environment Protection Authority

for ambient water quality testing of metropolitan waters and for analyses in connection with prosecutions;

* the Ministry for Conservation for the Gippsland Lakes Input Streams Study, a segment of the Gippsland Regional Environmental Study; and the Western port Input Streams Study, as a segment of the Western port Regional Environmental Study;

* the Australian Water Resources Council -in relation to two research projects carried out on behalf of the Council, viz, the Tarago Reservoir Stratification Study and the study into methods of analysis for organic compounds in water and wastes.

Regional laboratories, established at Frankston and Bendigo, resulted in a more satisfactory level of water quality surveillance in these areas. This will allow more information for day-to-day operational decisions on water quality to be provided, as well as establishing the required data base for planning longer term improvements in water quality.

The Lerderderg Gorge, site of ad iversion weir which the Convnission !s constructing as part of the Merrimu ProjecL Aesthetics and landscape are important aspects of the environmental planning of the weir.

Pollution Control The Commission continued in its role of a delegated agency of the Environment Protection Authority, with the primary objective being the protection of the beneficial uses of surface waters. The major control of waste discharges is by licensing and the finalisation of environment protection policies is awaited so that such licencing can be co-ordinated through out the State.

Regular sampling of waste discharges is required under the terms of the licence and enables compliance with licence conditions to be monitored. This process wi 11 soon be helped by the use of a central computer which will process all monitoring information and I icensi ng statist ics.

Advice of a general nature was given to licensees to assist them to comply w ith licence conditions. Where negotiations failed to achieve desired results,

prosecutions were undertaken, resulting in five convictions during the 1977/78 financial year, and a maximum fine of $13,500 for a dairying company.

Pollution complaints were received at a rate of almost forty a month, an increase of more than 30 per cent on the 1976/77 financial year. Spillages of o ils and other hazardous materials increased, particularly from road accidents, and involved the Comm iss ion in clean ing up operations in co-operation with the Stat e Emergency

Service, Victoria Po lice, Country Fire Authority and other agencies.

Cont inued improvement in waste discharge qual ity can be expected as further funds become available and progress is made in the training of treatment plant operators.

Tests are conducted at the Commission 's laboratories to exam ine water quality. These tests Involve the mak ing of specia l nutrient media which enable m icro o r ganisms to grow so that they become v isible without the a id of a microscope.

DELEGATED AREAS OF R ESPONSIBILI T Y FOR WATER POLLUTI O N CONTROL IN VICTOR IA-

•State Ri vers and Water Supp l y Commission (also referred to as The Victorian Water Commission)

• Melbourne and Metropolitan Board o f Works

D L atrobe Valle y Water and Sewerage Board

D Dandenong Valley Authority

FINANCE

Total Revenue The total revenue received by the Commission was $36,883 ,754 which included $25,821,873 for water rates and charges. The comparable figures for the 1976/77 financial year were $33,024,691 and $22,327,255 respectively.

Total Expenditure Vote: The total vote expenditure was $46,274,197 of which $23,021,323 was for maintenance and operation of the Commission districts. The comparab le figures for the 1976/77 financial year were $41,278,319 and $21,177.226 respect ively.

Works & Services: Expenditure f rom Works and Services funds tota lled $46 7 million which included $26.5 million expended on Commission works. The balance of $20.2 million was paid by the Commission to other Authorities and included $9.1 mil lion t o the River Murray Commission in respect of V ictoria's contribution toward the cost o f Dartmouth Dam, $4.6 million to Waterworks Trusts and $2.7 mill ion to Sewerage Author ities. The expend iture from Works and Services funds in the 1976/77 f inancial year was $42.1 mill ion of which $25.2 milli on was in respect of Commission works.

Sales of Water

Significant Expenditure from Other Funds: Dartmouth Dam Construction

Account, $35,250 ,350. Agency Trust Account , $3.452,126. Water Supply Development Account,

$1 ,183,678. River Murray Commission Trust

Account, $835,516. Public Account- Recoups, $686,606. Plant and Machinery Deprec iation

Fund , $623,676. Various Emp loyment Funds, $415,592.

Drainage Rate and ood Protection

Rate and Charge .

Recoup on Account ./---- of Payments

from Revenue.

L...------------- General Rate

REVENUE 1977/78

1. FARM PRODUCTION a) COMMISSION WORKS

Irrigation 0 istricts Flood Protection Districts

....---------- Drainage & Salinity Works Mitchell River Project etc.

b) OTHER AUTHORITIES River Improvement

\---- Trusts Dartmouth Dam Project (R .M.C. ) etc.

2 . URBAN SERVICES & DRINKING WATER a) COMMISSION WORKS

Mornington, Bellarine, Coliban

'------and Otway Systems Lake Merrimu Project etc.

b) OTHER AUTHOR ITIES Waterworks Trusts

'-----------------Sewerage Authorities Dandenong Valley Authority etc.

3. CENTRAL FUNCTIONS Head Office Builtling

'------------------- Surveys and Investigation s Plant & Machinery etc.

WORKS & SERVICES EXPENDITURE 1977/78

18

Materials and other .---------------- expenses in

Commission Districts

Salaries & payments in the nature of salary.

Subsidies to Sewerage Authori t ies, Waterworks Trusts

'-----------and Local Governing Bodies, Laboratory expenses and ot her services.

VOTE EXPENDITURE 1977/78

Commission Districts Variation in Rates and Charges: The Irrigation Charge in Irr igation Districts, generally, increased by about 12.5 per cent du ring the 1977/78 financial year to cover the cost of inflation. The two exception, however, were Red Cliffs Irrigation District, where there was no increase in anticipation of substantia l loss of farm income due to hai l damage in October, 1977, and Merbei n Irrigation District. where there w as a 5 per cent increase.

T hese moderate increases fo llowed a year (1976/77) in which no increase was approved despite an increase of 14.1 per cent in the cost index which is related to the operation and maintenance of works within Irrigation Districts.

Due to the near record deliveries of sales, the actual result in the 1977/78 financial year in practically all districts was much better than budgetted. A lthough the accumulated gain for the Goulburn­Murray Irrigation Distr ict now stands at $1.8 million , there is a net cash defic iency of about $1 mill ion because accou nts amounting to $2.7 million remain unpaid .

Tota l rates and charges assessed for Urban Districts increased by 19 per cent those for Rural and Waterworks Districts by approximately 13.5 per cent and fo r Flood Protection Distri cts by 5 per cen t. The increased assessment in Urban Districts was partly due to the increased number of properties served.

Result of Operations Irrigation Districts : The districts of Bacchus Marsh, Maca lister, Nyah , Red Cliffs, Robinvale and Werribee requ ired subsidies totalling $246,990 which were charged to the State Account. The districts of Campaspe, Goulburn-Murray, Merbein and Tresco produced gai ns of $379.744. Urban, Flood Protection and Waterworks Districts: The districts in w hich supplies were continued by d irection of the Governor- in-Council incurred losses tota ll ing $541,1 70 which was charged to the State Account. The other districts produced gains of $97 4 ,296. (Detailed f inancia I statement in respect of each district are given in Volume Two of t his report) .

19

Annual Cost To State Account The cost to the State of Country Water Supply was $43,601,795 of which $35,384.487 was in respect of capita l servicing ch arges.

The comparab le figures for the 1976/ 77 financial year were $38,664,818 and $31 ,552 ,234 respectively .

rhe Laboratory Section of the Operator rraining Centre, Werribee,

20

ADMINISTRATION

Dr. A. L. Tisdall retired on 30th September, 1977, after 26 years of distinguished service to the Commission, including ten years as Chairman. During his career, Dr. Tisdall made outstanding contributions to the professions of agricu I tu ral science and engineering and his acheivements were recognised by both professions. He was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science in 1961 and achieved the distinction of being elected an Associate of the Institution of Engineers (Australia) in 1974. He was awarded a C.B.E. in recognition of his services to the State of Victoria early in 1978.

Mr. W.E. Bromfield, who held the position of Deputy Chairman for the previous five years, was appointed Chairman and Mr. J.S.F. Rogerson took over as Deputy Chairman. He was succeeded as Commissioner by Mr. D.J. Constable, formerly the Commission's Chief Engineer, Rural Water Supplies.

In addition Mr. G.W. Lewis, Secretary, retired on 24th November, 1977, after serving the Commission for 42 years. Mr. R. Bird, who held the position of Chief, Property and Legal Services Branch, was appointed Secretary. His career with the Commission extends over 35 years.

Re-organisation of Mallee Division Following extensive capital improvements to supply systems in the Mallee Division, it has been possible to rationalise the Commission's services in this area resulting in significant cost savings.

A re-organisation of the Division, which had commenced in the previous year with the amalgamation of the former Merbein, Red Cliffs and Robinvale district centres, was completed during the 1977/78 financial year when the Nyah West and Swan Hill centres were combined to form the Swan Hi 11 Regional Centre. These changes have resulted in substantial savings in the Centre's operating costs. Further economies are proposed by a re-organisation of mechancial and plant personnel located at the various centres and pumping stations of the Division.

Staff Development The Commission introduced a Performance Improvement Program for the further development of management practices at all levels. The program commenced at top management level and will gradually be expanded through­out the organisation. A two-year development program for junior administrative officers was initiated to provide for the development of administrative skills in the principal administrative areas.

The Engineers' Development Scheme, which has been operating since 1964, continued with 38 engineers taking part.

The Commission continued its planned training program for the field officers. Courses were conducted for water distribution staff, while the Mechanical Branch conducted specialised courses for workshop staff at its Central Training School at Tatura.

The Commission's Training Program was substantially revised and courses in Orientation, Report Writing, Effective Lecturing and the use of the Critical Path Method in programming have been integrated in a planned program to provide training in basic administrative and management skills.

The Commission provided work experience at an increased level over the 1977/78 summer months with 34 students participating in the program.

Eight people, nominated for assistance under aid programs sponsored by the Australian Development Assistance Bureau, joined the Commission for periods ranging from one to two weeks.

The policy of nominating officers for senior management courses was continued. One officer attended the Advanced Management Program of the Graduate School of Business Administration, Melbourne University, and another attended the Graduate Course in Hydrology, University of New South Wales.

The Commission's senior officers also participated in the Public Service Board's Management Development Program.

The number of Commission officers engaged on study leave continued at a high level with 1 09 being granted part­time leave in 1978. Eighteen of these were undertaking post-graduate courses, 48 were studying diploma and degree courses and 43 were studying certificate courses. Three officers were awarded Public Service Board full-time study awards and two officers were on full­time leave without pay.

Overseas Missions During the 1977/78 financial year three officers were sent by the Commission on overseas missions. Mr. G. McLellan, Designing Engineer, attended two major conferences dealing with Hydrology and River Mechanics in the United States; Mr. D.T. Currey, Supervising Geologist, was present at the twelfth International Symposium on Remote Sensing of the Environment, in the Philippines; and Mr. K.H. Wood ,Senior Executive Engineer, Local Authorities, visited Sweden to attend a major conference conducted

21

by The International Association of Water Pollution Research. He also undertook a study of town water supply systems and wastewater treatment methods in Europe and the United States.

As part of the Australian Staffing Assistance Scheme, which is sponsored by the Government, the Commission is participating, on a continuing basis, in a project in Fiji, involving survey work on land drainage, sea defence and irrigation works. Two surveyors are currently involved and each will work on the project for a period of about 18 months.

The Commission is taking part in a Development Assistance project in Zamboanga del Sur, Republic of the Philippines, for the construction of roads and irrigation systems. Following a request by the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation, which has been commissioned to manage the project in association with Leighton Contractors Pty. Ltd., a Commission engineer has been seconded to the project, to be responsible to the Project Manager on site, for the irrigation construction work.

Safety The Commission adopted a safety policy having the following objectives: * to have regard to the safety of

Commission officers and employees, and the public in all the activities of the Commission;

* to maintain the Commission's works and plant in a safe and functional condition;

* to observe a 11 statutory requirements and regulations relating to industrial safety whether required by law to do so or not; and

* to implement safety training programs for officers and employees.

This policy is implemented by management with the assistance of local safety committees, co-ordinated by the Safety Engineer. Programs of compreliensive accident precaution, hazard elimination, work methods and staff education were effected through these committees. The implementation of this safety policy resulted in improvements in the Commission's overall safety record with a consequent improvement in the Lost Time Frequency Rate.

Driver Operator Training The Commission's driver training program continued in all centres. Interim Permits were issued to a further 380 drivers who commenced service with the Commission during the year. The recruitment of two additional instructors as planned enabled the program of authorising drivers for

ADMINISTRATION (CONT.)

five-year periods to commence in November 1977. 307 drivers were trained and assessed at the required standard for authorisation to drive Commission vehicles up to 30th June, 1978. This latter program is deliberately spread over a five-year period to allow an equitable annual work load in future.

Supplementary training sessions and tests covering special classes ot vehicles (e.g. heavy and four wheel drive) have been developed and will be introduced in July 1978. During the forthcoming year, standards and procedures for the assessment, training and authorisation of earthmoving and construction plant operators will be developed and put into effect.

lt is considered that this scheme has contributed substantially to the 48 per cent reduction in vehicle accidents which has been achieved since its introduction in the 1975/76 financial year.

Head Office Building A contract was let on 17th June, 1977, to extend the Head Office building to provide additional floor space of 3000 m2. The extensions are expected to be ready for occupation towards the end of 1978 and will enable several major branches, at present working in rented accommodation, to be relocated at Head Office. Improvements are also being carried out to the interior of the existing building and, when completed, all Head Office staff will return to the one location. The standard of the Commission's Head Office accommodation will then reasonably approach that currently enjoyed by most other departments.

Senior Officers, Divisional and Branch Heads at June 30, 1978 Secretary: R. BIRD, J.P. Chief Finance Officer: R.J. Wl LSON,

A.A.S.A., R.C.A. Chief Accountant R.T. BRANSON,

A.A.S.A., R.C.A. Chief Stores Officer W.A. RICHARDS,

B. Comm. Chief, Property & Services: T.J.

CHANDLER. Chief Valuer: P.B. CHURCH, A.C.I.V. Personnel Officer: M.G. GARVEY,

A.A.S.A.

Major Works Branch Chief Engineer J.L. MAVER, M.C.E.,

M.S.E., E.W.S., F.I.E. Aust. Chief Designing Engineer: V. Michels,

M.E., B.C.E., E.W.S., F.I.E. Aust., F.A.S.C.E.

Chief Constructional Engineer: R.S. Dickson, B.E. (Hons.), E.W.S., F. I.E. Aust.

Chief Engineer, Planning & Development: F.G'. TAYLOR, B.C.E., EW.S., M.I.E. Aust.

Chief Surveyor: R.E. HOLMES, L.S., M.I.S. Aust.

Chief Laboratory Services: W.M. DREW, Dip. Chem. E., Dip. App. Chern., M. Se., Ph. D.

Divisional Engineer, Investigations: I.R. MEACHAM, B.C.E., B.E., M.I.E. Aust.

Town Water Supplies & Local Authorities Branch Chief Engineer M. E. G I LLARD, B.C.E ,

E.W.S., M. I.E. Aust. Chief Engineer, Main Urban Supplies:

W.H. Wl LLIAMSON, B.C.E., E.W.S., M.I.E. Aust.

Divisional Engineer, Local Authorities: R.W.G. EVANS, Dip. C.E., M.I.E. Aust.

Rural Water Supplies Branch Chief Engineer: A. H. C LEGG, Dip. C. E.,

E.W.S., M.S.E., M.I.E. Aust. Divisional Engineer, Water Management:

D.J. DOLE, B.E., (Agric.), E.W.S., M.I.E. Aust.

Divisional Engineer, Wimmera: C.A.R. EVANS, B.E., E.W.S., M.S.E., D.P.A. M. I.E. Aust.

Divisional Engineer, Goulburn: A.C. PAUL, Dip. C.E, E.W.S., M. I.E. Aust.

Divisional Engineer, Mal lee: C.D. RI LEY, Dip. C. E.W.S., M. I.E. Aust.

Divisional Engineer, Southern: C.G. McCOY, Dip. C.E., E.W.S., M.I.E. Aust.

Divisional Engineer, Loddon: B.O. LONGTON, Dip. C. , EW.S., M. I.E. Aust.

Chief Irrigation Officer, Irrigation Services E.P. ROBINSON, E.D., M. Agr. M. Eng. Se., M.A.I.A.S., M. I.E. Agr. E.

22

Mechanical Branch Chief of Mechanical Branch. R.B.

MacG I LP, Cert. Marine En g. & Se. (Glasgow).

Retirements First Division GW. Lewis, Secretary. Second Division J.A. Cresp, Admin. Class "C-2". K.E. Findlay, Chief Clerk "B-1". L.J. Lynch, Admin. Class "C". T.M. O'Connell, Admin. Class "C-1 ". A.F. Sandey, Des. Eng. Class "E-3''. H.T. Swanton, Des. Eng. Class "E-4A". Third Division B.M. Alexander, Inspector Div. Gr 11. V.S.K. Algie, Snr. Water Bailiff. A. H. Austin, Works Inspector. A. Baldwi n, Res. Keeper G r. Ill. R.G. Barton, Water Bailiff. N.G. Bell, Clerical Asst. Gr. 11. C.D. Berry, Clerical Asst. Gr. Ill. N. Chambers, Snr. Works Inspector. M. I. Devine, Stenographer. L.G. Dutton, Ranger. A. Everett, Water Bailiff. R.P. Gage, Clerical Asst. Gr. 11.

R.S. Griffiths, Water Bailiff. E.H. Harding, Ranger. D.B. Horgan, Draughtswoman Gr. IV. J.E. Jaggers, Water Bailiff. H.J. Jenkins, Senior Ranger. R.C. Killingsworth,CiericaiAsst.Gr.lll. L.P. Langdon, Ranger. H.L. Lee, Res. Keeper Gr. Ill. G. H. Lonnie, Water Bailiff. B. L. Nosed a, Stenographer. H.G. Powell, Clerical Asst. Gr. 11. M. Pancaldi, Draughting Asst. Gr. 11. M.VV. Reidy, Head Water Bailiff. O.V. Russell, Stenographer. J B. Sinclair, Water Bailiff. H.R. Sprigg, Mechanical Officer. W.J. Swann, Water Bailiff. J.T. Tait, Water Bailiff. S.G Venables, Snr. Water Bailiff. K.J. Webster, Water Bailiff. J. Wood, Machinist Gr. Ill. N.R. Vole, Storeman Gr. 11.

Deaths K. Frisch, Supv. D'man Class "DR-4". H.S. Ray, Snr. Eng. Class "E-5A".

VICTORIAN WATER SUPPLY STATISTICS 1977-1978

(EXCLUDING MELBOURNE METROLPOLITAN AREA)

AREAS- 2 State of Victoria (Total) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 227 620 square kilometres (km ) or 22 762 659 hectares (ha)* Rural and urban lands artificially supplied with water for domestic and stock and

industrial purposes by channels, tanks, bores, and pipelines . Irrigation Districts and other lands supplied for irrigation. Irrigated Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drained Area within Irrigation Districts . . Flood Protection Districts Area ........... .

WATERWORKS CONTROLLED BY COMMISSION­Storages

'Gross area

Large reservoirs (capacity above 1,000 megalitres) .............................. . Subsidiary reservoirs and service basins .................................... .

Total capacity of storages = 8 203 700 Megalitres (M I)* 'Includes half share of Lake Hume and other River Murray works.

Channels Irrigation . . . . . . . . . . . . Domestic and Stock . . . . .. Drainage and Flood Protection

Total .

Pipe Lines-Mains ...... . Reticulation ... .

Total .

Bores in Waterworks Districts-Walpeup West ........ .

Water Deliveries-Water delivered for irrigation

RURAL DISTRICTS ADMINISTERED BY COMMISSION-

Irrigation Districts .............................. . Waterworks and Rural Districts (including rural lands, Coliban System) Flood Protection Districts Under Water Act

Totals ............................. .

URBAN SUPPLY-

Towns with reticulated domestic and industrial pipe supplies.-Commission ...... . Waterworks Trusts .. . Local Governing Bodies

Totals ....

SEWERAGE-

(Local Authorities supervised by Commission) Systems operating . . . . . . Constituted, not operating .. .

Totals .............. .

Number of Districts

10 13

2 25

Number of Assessments

15,600 20,686

1,725 38,011

Towns

130 290

26 446

Authorities

107 24

'i3T

8 247 km 10989 km 4 337 km

2 050 km 3 536 km

Population 46,642 48,918

3,580 99,140

Population

356,959 573,576 146,850

1,077,385

Population

947,993 64,480

1,012,473

. .4 898 856 ha*

. .1110 967 ha* 575 346 ha 299 861 ha

54 396 ha

61 276

23 573 km

5 586 km

40 bores

.. 2 896 382 MI

'Includes Geelong Waterworks and Sewerage Trust and Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board, but excludes Eildon Sewerage District which is operated by Commission.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT AND DRAINAGE-

R.l. Trusts .... Drainage Trusts . Valley Authority

CAPITAL LIABILITY FOR WATER SUPPLY Total to 30th June, 1978-

Borne by the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . Borne by Districts, Waterworks Trusts, &c.

Total .............. .

23

Authorities 27

4 1

.. $426,658,878.81

. .$158,314,507.16

. .$584,973,385.97

Total Areas of Districts 1 230 000 ha

86 000 ha 88 000 ha

LANDS UNDER IRRIGATED CULTURE 1977-78

EXTENT OF IRRIGATION AND AREAS WATERED

Name of District Area, &c.

GOULBURN-CAMPASPE-LODDON SYSTEM-Shepparton Rodney Tongala-Stanhope Deakin Rochester Dingee Calivil Tragowel Plains . Boort Campaspe East Loddon West Loddon

Totals

RIVER MURRAY SYSTEM-(Torrumbarry Weir)

Cohuna Koondrook Swan Hill Third Lake Mystic Park Tresco Fish Point Kerang . Kerang North-West Lakes

Totals

(Yarrawonga Weir) Murray Valley

(Direct from River by Pumping) Nyah Red Cliffs Merbein Robin vale

Totals

First Mildura Trust

RIVER MURRAY SYSTEM TOTALS

OTHER NORTHERN SYSTEMS-Coliban Wimmera

Totals

SOUTHERN SYSTEMS-Bacch us Marsh Werribee . Maffra-Sale Central Gippsland . Mornington Peninsula Bellarine Peninsula

Totals

PRIVATE DIVERSIONS THROUGH-OUT THE STATE

GRAND TOTALS 1977-78

GRAND TOTALS 1976-77

24

Total Area of Holdings in I rrigatlon

Districts (Hectares)

82,621.5 109,248.1

31,180.1 63,542.1 75,720.1

4,378.8 26,591.9 88,635.0 45,870.0

8,634.3 --

536,421.9

51,131.1 38,148.7 15,591.9 9,210.5 8,408.0 1,857.2 7,431.2

34,372.5 -

166,151.1

129,469.3

1,565.4 5,507.4 3,732.0 3,608.3

14,413.1

15,863.7

325,897.2

--

-

2,390.7 3,774.0

34,684.5 17,896.2

--

58,745.4

-

921,064.5

919,679.5

Water Rights

Area Apportioned Classified Including

as Suitable Extra for Water

Irrigation Right Total (Hectares) (Megalitres) (Hectares)

76,283.9 182,054.0 36,317.4 100,939.3 253,915.0 61,296.0

28,586.0 104,880.0 25,275.0 41,648.9 43,414.0 12,330.0 68,873.2 147,948.0 39,689.0

3,825.4 10,051.0 2,588.0 24,596.5 39,842.0 12,052.0 76,082.2 121,479.0 50,043.0 39,074.0 51,873.0 25,827.0

8,185.6 19,274.0 4,129.0 - - 327.0 - - 2,466.0

468,095.0 974,730.0 272,339.4

47,856.6 133,247.0 42,725.0 32,590.2 72,660.0 24,978.0 14,842.9 55,891.0 9,117.2 8,340.8 13,062.0 3,613.0 7,470.1 11,291.0 3,383.3

991.9 5,084.0 943.6 7,042.3 9,894.0 3,680.1

29,754.7 62,022.0 20,566.0 - - 962.1

148,889.5 363,151.0 109,968.3

113,870.1 254,191.0 51,825.3

1,321.1 9,152.9 1,063.6 5.197.3 43,758.5 4,873.9 3,504.4 30,251.4 3,597.5 3,075.9 17,525.8 2,316.0

13,098.7 100,688.6 11,851.0

7,998.0 73,133.7 7,998.0

283,856.3 791,164.3 181,642.6

- - 4,049.0 3,048.0 - 2,986.2

3,048.0 - 7,035.2

1,327.7 3,815.9 1,226.0 3,563.0 9,694.7 3,206.0

28,383.5 64,946.0 19,117.0 15,321.9 38,859.0 12,548.0

- - 119.4 - - 125.0

48,596.1 117,315.6 36,341.4

- - 77,988.0

803,595.4 1,883,209.9 575,346.6

802,638.1 1,876,564.7 588,814.7

Area Irrigated, Including Lands Adjoining a District

Sorghum Lucerne. and Other Pastures

Grown for Annual Fallow Pasture Fodder Market and

ereals and Hay Crops Native Annual Perennial Vineyards Orchards Gardens Miscellaneous lctares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares) (Hectares)

I ,465.5 464.5 411.2 253.2 12,293.3 16,044.3 162.7 3,574.5 349.5 1,298.7 I, 118.0 962.0 330.0 449.0 23,604.0 29,802.0 92.0 3,211.0 1,344.0 384.0

305.0 100.0 185.0 330.0 6,995.0 17,050.0 210.0 40.0 60.0 140.0 240.0 360.0 440.0 5,655.0 4,925.0 70.0 350.0 150.0

1,895.0 491.0 211.0 108.0 14,795.0 20,980.0 16.0 524.0 669.0 12.0 7.0 964,0 1,563.0 - 42.0

497.0 379.0 10.0 228.0 6,725.0 4,016.0 - 3.0 194.0 1,685.0 124.0 79.0 4,935.0 32,742.0 6,912.0 - - 3,566.0 ~.274.0 1,136.0 145.0 220.0 12,201.0 2,680.0 181.0 4,990.0

260.0 440.0 62.0 195.0 599.0 2,379.0 - 149.0 45.0 - 163.0 104.0 - - 60.0

539.0 204.0 6.0 570.0 121.0 - - 1,026.0

2,178.5 4,552.5 1,793.2 7,171.2 117,306.3 106,576.3 7,081.5 2,940.5 12,484.7

354.0 646.0 524.0 1,513.0 19,280.0 20,234.0 1.0 52.0 121.0 1,824.0 62.0 152.0 742.0 15,345.0 5,310.0 195.0 16.0 1,332.0

188.5 306.5 28.2 117.2 1,199.1 5.,339.2 1,188.0 411.7 292.4 46.4 319.0 117.0 10.0 222.0 2,437.0 252.0 - .. 256.0 98.3 88.1 80.0 143.0 2,145.8 359.3 17.5 3.0 448.3

6.3 33.8 - - - 6.8 719.8 115.1 61.8 565.0 11.2 127.4 1,051.7 984.0 290.6 - - 1.6 648.6

1,388.0 130.0 157.0 1,444.0 12,833.0 4,017.0 - 4.0 593.0 78.0 105.0 12.0 50.0 446.0 91.0 74.0 60.1 1.0 45.0

4,821.1 1,499.6 1,090.6 5,282.9 54,669.9 35,899.9 1,981.8 800.4 431.8 3,490.3 I

3,412.2 711.7 219.5 - 19,386.9 22,624.0 147.4 1,559.1 353.5 3,411.0

15.9 - 73.5 4.9 158.8 635.1 57.5 90.2 27.7 - - 4.0 43.6 4,575.6 202.3 5.1 43.3

52.0 30.5 - 15.1 52.6 40.3 2,978.4 311.7 1.8 115.1 - - - - - 2,192.0 124.0 - -

~ 46.4 - 88.6 61.5 242.7 10,381.1 695.5 97.1 186.1

- - - - 270.0 6,296.0 311.0 - 1,121.0

8,285.3 2,257.7 1,310.1 5,371.5 74,118.3 59,036.6 18,806.3 3,366.0 882.4 8,208.4

5.2 70.9 - 333.4 6~~.3 2,395.9 17.6 435.7 78.1 33.9 23.1 - - 22.1 • 2,879.0 34.0 20.0 8.0

5.2 94.0 - 333.4 700.4 5,274.9 17.6 469.7 98.1 41.9

4.0 41.0 - - 619.0 - 182.0 242.0 138.0 12.0 67.0 61.0 1,098.0 - 33.0 1,787.0 148.0 23.0 97.0 60.0 397.0 18,506.0 - - 34.0 ..•

3.0 9.0 12,536.0 - -- - - - - 68.4 51.0

- - - - - - - - 105.0 20.0

39.0 208.0 130.0 397.0 32,759.0 - 215.0 357.0

2.267.0 4,717.0 1,982.0 973.0 13,8~~ 3,949.0 3,811.0 9,863.0 4,918.0

~2.775.0 11,829.2 5,215.3 I 14,246.1 23,027.6 14,943.2 16,020.4 26,010.0

'18,806.2 13,720.0 10,498.3 13,800.5 217,071.6 241,468.6 22,914.1 15,400.2 14,403.7 20,725.5

AREA IRRIGATED- 1973/74 to 1977/78

t97an4 197.4/75 1975/76 l ~1977/78 Source of Supply (Hectares) (Hectares} (Hectares) (Hectares)

Goulburn-Loddon System 234,07.4 264,673 262,306 276,782 272,339 River Murray System ... 183,488 188,045 188,298 191,227 181,643 Other Northern Systems , 7,316 7,341 7.475 7,454 7,035 Southern Systems . ' 34,988 35,345 35,566 35,012 36,341 Private Diversions .. 85,176 90,439 84,556 78,339 77,988

Grand Totals 545,042 585,843 578,201 588,814 575,346

25

WATER DELIVERED FOR IRRIGATION 1977-78

District

GOULBURN SYSTEM -(East Goulburn Main)

Shepparton •• 0 0 ... (Waranga Basin)

Rodney Tongala-Stanhope Deakin . Rochester Dingee ...... Calivil Tragowel Plains . Boort .... West Loddon .. East Loddon ..

Goulburn Grand Totals

MURRAY SYSTEM-(Yarrawonga Weir)

Murray Valley . . ..... (Torrumbarry Weir)

Cohuna .. Koondrook Kerang ... Third Lake Mystic Park Tresco Fish Point . Swan Hill ............. Pental Island Private Diversions . Kerang Private Diversions .. . . Kerang N.-W. Lakes Privata Diversions Upr. Gun bower Ck. Private Diversions Lwr. Gunbower Ck. Private Diversions Tay for's Creek Private Diversions . Kow Swamp Private Diversions .. Pyramid Creek Private Diversions

Torrumbarry Weir Totals •..

(Pumped from River Murray) Nyah .. Robinvale 0 •• 0 •••••••

Red Cliffs { Merbein. : : : : : : : : : :

Yelta ............ First Mildura Irrigation Trust

River Murray Pumps Totals

Murray Grand Totals . ••• 0

CAMPASPE SYSTEM -Coli ban • 0 ••••• 0 .. Campaspe •••••••• 0 .. Campaspe Private Diversions

Campaspe Totals .... WERRIBEE SYSTEM-

Bacchus Marsh ... Werribee . ... . . .

Warribee Totals .

MACALISTER SYSTEM-Macalister ••• 0 ••

WIMMERA SYSTEM -

PRIVATE DIVERSIONS

VICTORIA GRAND TOTALS

GOULBURN-MURRAY IRRIGATION DISTRICT ...............

Gross Supply at District

Offtakes (excluding volumes passed to

other Districts)

MI

293 177

437 579 176 055

65 577 265 361

22 239 86 855

223967 113 345

6 764 3 789

1 694 708

444 764

252 681 135 245 103 817

17 107 16 091

8 516 18 408 95 310

5 680 122

3 705

} 7 979

6197

670 858

10 041 24286 47 192 30 750

258 76 117

188 644

1 304 266

29 172 32 250 15 953

77 375

10 638 14268

24906

183 343

36 498

299 667

3 620 763

2 801 814

FOR PERIOD 1/7/77 TO DATE 30/6/78

Users In District Total Water Rights

Allotted Under Domestic to Water Sales of and Stock

District Rights Water Purposes

MI MI MI MI

181 84:3 172 046 45 014 9

253 546 250 533 68 304 -104 725 107 524 38 409 8 43 425 40 026 10 227 58

147911 152 264 67 231 642 10 026 11 130 5 403 1 789 39 842 45 539 23863 -

121 198 118 156 53 542 -51 811 53 590 29 101 2 371 - - 5 197 825 - - - 1 645

954 327 950 808 346 291 7 347

254 181 247 289 76 045 500

131 418 135 108 69 467 -72 668 73 876 35 749 -61 914 62 806 24037 -12 145 11 324 2 924 -11 291 9 813 2 934 -

5 068 5 094 2 941 -9 894 9 961 4 515 -

56068 51 608 13 867 -- - - -- - - -- - - -

- - 7 979 -

- - - -360 466 359 590 164 413 -

9 153 7 965 879 -17 526 17 349 3 397 226 43 744 39 767 2 837 239 30256 28 521 2 303 -

- - - 54 - 50 781 17 725 -

100679 144 383 27 141 519

715 326 751 262 267 599 1 019

- - 13 614 1 383 16 850 16 522 12 768 7 - - - -

16 850 16 522 26 380 1 390

3 885 3 580 4188 -9 716 8 864 2 861 -

13 601 12 444 7 049 -

103 121 101 452 29 084 -

- - 23 448 351

- - - -

1 803 225 1 832 488 699 851 10 107

1 563 906 1 552 593 583 BOB 7 847

26

Users Users Outside Outside District District

Total from from Delivered District Total Main in District Channels Delivered Channels

MI MI MI MI

217 069 623 217 692 -

318 837 1 730 320 567 -145 941 3 710 149651 -

50 312 366 50 678 -220 137 294 220 431 -

18 322 703 19 025 -69 402 915 70 317 -

171 698 4.24 172 122 -85 062 904 85 966 -

6 022 - 6 022 -1 645 - 1 645 -

1 304 446 9 669 1 314115 -

323 834 229 324 063 -

204 575 1 532 206 107 -109 625 142 109 767 -86 843 394 87 237 -14 248 73 14 321 -12 747 253 13 000 -

8 035 54 8 089 -14 476 - 14 476 -65 475 214 65 689 -- - - 5 680 - - - 122 - - - 3 705

7 979 - 7 979 -

- - - 6 197

524003 4 662 528 665 15 704

8844 295 9 139 -20972 - 20 972 -42 843 328 43 171 -30824 1 818 32 642 -

54 - 54 -68 506 - 68 506 -

172 043 2 441 174 484 -1 019 880 7 332 1 027 212 15 704

14997 - 14 997 -29 295 - 29 295 -- - - 15 953

44 292 - 44 292 15 953

7 768 1 740 9 508 -11 725 82 11 807 -19 493 1 822 21 315 -

130 536 871 131 407 -

23 799 2 918 26 717 -

- - - 299 667

2 542 446 22 612 2 565 058 331 324

2 144 248 14 506 2 158 754 15 704

Victorian Total For Season = 2 896 382 M I G.M.I.D. Total for Season = 2 174 458 MI Including 0/S District = 139.0% of W.R.

VALUE OF IRRIGATION PRODUCTION

Production figures are not yet available for 1977/78. The assessed value of irrigation production throughout Victoria was $249,850,000 for 1976/77 compared with $220,920,000 for 1975/76.

Details under the various headings are as follows:-

Irrigation Districts

1975-76 $ $

Milk and Milk Products ............... 58,000,000 Beef and Veal Meats .............. 10,000,000 Wool, Lamb and Mutton .............. 13,100,000 Pig Meats ....................... 14,600,000 Poultry and Eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,860,000

All Livestock ................................ 99,560,000

Dried Vine Fruits ................... 24,000,000 Table and Wine Grapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,300,000 Canning, Fresh and Jam Fruits .......... 20,570,000* Citrus Fruits ...................... 5,100,000

All Horticulture .......... . 57,970,000

Vegetables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,770,000 Other Primary Production. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,740,000

Sub-Total .................................. 175,040,000 Private Diverters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45,880,000*

Grand Total.

* Revised

Drought conditions during 1976 and the rapid expansion of non-traditional beef markets in U.S.S.R., Eastern European countries, Egypt, Israel and Nigeria caused a record slaughtering of cattle during 1976/77. Increasing domestic prices and satisfactory export prices led to a considerable increase in the value of production of beef and veal meats. There was a moderate expansion of pig meat production despite increases in feeding costs. Increases in sheep meat and beef

220,920,000

prices brought about a slight increase in demand and some upward movement of prices for pig meat.

The significant decline in world export availability of dried vine fruits in 1976/77 resulted in a substantial rise in export prices. The value of production increased by fifty per cent despite actual production remaining virtually unchanged. The value of production of fresh and jam fruits increased as a resu it of increased production of apples and more favourable

27

1976-77 $

60,600,000 12,500,000 13,750,000 16,000,000 3,900,000

36,700,000 8,800,000

23,670,000 5,230,000

$

106,750,000

74,400,000

16,800,000 4,000,000

201,950,000 47,900,000

249,850,000

export and domestic prices for fresh pears. The value of production for vegetables and other primary production increased because of substantial increases in the areas irrigated for market gardens, cereals, sorghum and other annual fodder crops throughout the Goulburn, Loddon and Torrumbarry Systems. Mixed farms tended to concentrate on more profitable cereal, hay and industrial crops instead of cattle and sheep.

CAPACITIES OF WATER COMMISSION AND RIVER MURRAY STORAGES 1977-78

Murray System -Lake Hume .. Lake Mulwala . Lake Victoria . Torrumbarry Weir Euston Weir ... Mildura Weir .. Wentworth Weir .

Kow Swamp

Kerang North-West Lakes-

Storage

Megalitres . 3 038 000

117 500 680 000

35 600 38 600 36 600 47 000

Third, Middle, Reedy, Kangaroo, Racecourse, Charm

River Murray Works Half Share to Victoria •

Capacity in Megalitres

1 996 650

51 000

70 000

System Totals in MegaHtres

Lake Cullulleraine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 120 050 2 400 Ovens System- --------------------------------------------------------+------------~----------~

Lake Buffalo ... Lake William Hovel!

Broken System -Lake Nillahcootie Lake Mokoan ..

Goulburn System -Lake Eildon .. Goulburn Weir . Waranga Basin Greens Lake ... Tandarra-Calivil Pondage

Campaspe-Coliban System -Lake E ppalock Upper Coliban Reservoir Lauriston Reservoir .. Malmsbury Reservoir Spring Gully Reservoir . McCay Reservoir ... Subsidiary Reservoirs .

Loddon System -Cairn Curran Reservoir Tullaroop Reservoir .. Laanecoorie Reservoir .

Wimmera-Mallee System -Rocklands Reservoir Toolondo Reservoir Lake Bellfield .. . Fyans Lake ... . Lake Lonsdale .. Wartook Reservoir Taylors Lake Pine Lake ... . Green Lake ... . Dock Lake Moors Reservoir . Lower Wimmera Weirs . . . . Batyo Catvo (Avon Regulator) Lake Whit ton .... Township Reservoirs and Mal lee Tanks

Maffra-Sale System -Lake G lenmaggie . . . ...... . Service Basins (Stratford, Heyfield)

Werribee System -Pykes Creek Reservoir Melton Reservoir ... Lake Merrimu .

Mornington Peninsula System -Tarago Reservoir .... Devilbend Reservoir .. Lysterfield Reservoir .. Beaconsfield Reservoir . Frankston Reservoir Mornington Reservoir Bittern Reservoir ... . Service Basins ..... .

Bellarine Peninsula System -Service Basins

Otway System -Service Basins .

Miscellaneous -Lance Creek (Wonthaggi) Wonthaggi Service Basins Newstead Reservoir Hepburns Lagoon Newlyn Reservoir Little A iver Weir .. Moorabool River Weirs Rosslynne Reservoir ..

Available capacity of storages at 30th June, 1978

ADDITIONAL CAPACITY WHICH WILL BECOME AVAILABLE FROM WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Dartmouth Project- 4 000 000 MI t ....

TOTAL CAPACITY WHEN PRESENT WORKS ARE COMPLETED

•subject to certain obligations to South Australia tRiver Murray Commission Work- half Share to Victoria

28

24 000 13 500 37 500

40 000 365 000 405 000

3 390 000 25 000

411 000 32 500

2 500 3 861 000

312 000 31 500 20 000 18 000

2 500 1 400 7 000 392 400

148 000 74 000

8 000 230 000

345 000 106 500

78 500 21 000 65 500 29 500 37 000 64 000

8 200 6 000 6 300 3 500 4 800 1 600 6 500 788 400

190 000 50 190 050

24 000 17 000 19 000 60 000

37 500 14 500

4 200 900 680 300 560 320 58 960

900 900

. ....... 1 330 1 330

1 900 10 90

3 000 3 300

220 90

24 500 33 110

8 174 200

2 000 000 2 000 000

10 174 200 10174 200