No. 16 June 2015 From The CEO 2015 Irrigation Australia regional conference, Penrith IAL held its 2015 regional conference at the end of May at Penrith NSW. Feedback from delegates was that the conference program was one of the best they had seen, and that the speakers were of an excellent quality. The venue was absolutely amazing, and one of the most polished that the delegates had seen. Many of the presentations and discussions will make future Journal articles and really added to the thinking of the industry. A fun highlight was the trivia competition through the duration of the dinner, with the electronic questions and scoring giving immediate feedback on team positioning and creating a lot of light-hearted banter between teams. The event was well supported by our exhibitors who reported solid interest in their products and services from delegates and exhibition visitors. Delegate numbers were down on previous years and this was disappointing, given the high quality program and speakers, but those delegates who did make it to the conference were treated to an excellent event and were well pleased with the results. The Smart Watermark forum was held within the IAL conference and this proved to be a popular part of the conference. A big thanks goes to the organising committee led by David McKechnie, the conference program created by Ian Atkinson and others, our conference organisers ICE, the Penrith Panthers convention centre and IAL’s friendly staff. 2016 IAL National conference; May 24 to May 26, Melbourne Convention Centre With our 2015 regional conference complete, thoughts now turn to IAL’s flagship national conference, to be held in May 2016 at the Melbourne convention centre. We’ve already seen an amazing response from industry exhibitors with over a third of the exhibition space already sold out, and a high level of interest from potential sponsors and delegates. The Melbourne organising committee is now in place and will be working with a Professional Conference Organiser to deliver a world class conference and exhibition. If you’d like to get involved in the conference planning, or are interested In being a sponsor, exhibitor, or presenter, please let Duane know. Membership renewal notices Membership renewal notices will be going out in June. The IAL Board has agreed to keep member rate increases as low as possible, instead widening the price differential between member and non-member rates for IAL products and services. We are hoping to have an electronic payment portal in place by the time the renewal notices go out, but this function is presently being completed and the timing will be close. Irrigation Australia Limited (IAL) speaks out on the recent Queensland Government legislative changes to Water Meter installation. The Queensland Government last Tuesday night passed legislation that makes it the only state in the country where only licensed plumbers can install non-urban water meters. IAL has responded in the strongest possible terms to this change. IAL has written to the relevant Queensland Minister and shadow Minister objecting to the change, and has distributed a media release (attached) to a range of media outlets. An IAL representative has been asked to meet with Queensland Departmental representatives to discuss our concerns and we hope to bring further news soon. Media Release for the resolution of the Queensland Meter validator issue. Where should IAL hold its regional conference in 2017? We have our national conference in Melbourne in 2016 and planning for that conference is well under way. We are now looking for suitable locations for our 2017 regional conference and seeking suggestions from our members. The location should have a suitable venue and accommodation options, and be able to draw on the expertise of a local group of members and stakeholders who will form a volunteer organising committee. IAL will source and engage a professional conference organiser to support the committee and ensure the conference runs smoothly. It would be an added benefit if the location attracted exhibitors and sponsors to offset the costs of holding the conference. If you have any suggestions for a suitable 2017 regional conference location, please speak to Duane Findley on 1300 949 891 Water Monitoring Report 2013–14 The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its annual Water Monitoring Report which details the ACCC’s findings in relation to its monitoring functions under the Water Act 2007 (Cth). A digital copy of the Report and accompanying technical document can be found on the ACCC website (www.accc.gov.au/regulated-infrastructure/water/water-monitoring-reporting). Under Part 4 of the Water Act 2007 the ACCC is required to monitor and report on regulated water charges, transformation arrangements and compliance with the water charge rules and water market rules. The Report provides information for the 2013-14 financial year and was developed using information provided by irrigation infrastructure operators, bulk water suppliers and relevant Basin State government departments and water authorities. Review of the water charge rules On 17 December 2014 the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment requested the ACCC to review the water charge rules and provide advice on possible amendments by December 2015. The ACCC released an issues paper on 4 May seeking submissions from interested parties on a range of matters associated with the water charge rules. Submissions should be provided to the ACCC by Friday 26 June 2015. Further information on the water charge rules review, including the issues paper, can be found on the ACCC’s website (www.accc.gov.au/regulated-infrastructure/water/water-projects/review-of-the-watercharge-rules-advice-development) NEWS RELEASE Maintain Your Irrigation Irrigators are invited to learn about drip irrigation system maintenance and operation at upcoming workshops supported by the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (SAMDB NRM) Board and Netafim. Water Conserved by Irrigators Assists Migratory Birds Endangered and threatened migratory bird species travelling from the northern hemisphere to South Australian Murray-Darling Basin wetlands will find water thanks to initiatives such as the Australian Government’s On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program which returns water to the environment. New Members IAL would like to welcome new individual member, David Norman from WA. Dave will also be sitting his CID exams. Social Media Stats The way we all access and use information is changing. IAL is moving with these changes and we see our social media channels as an increasingly important way to communicate and inform our members and the broader irrigation community. Over the past 12 months, we’ve put a lot of effort into our social media and we are really pleased with the results so far. Our social media numbers are growing strongly. From a low base, IAL now has: · Almost 2000 followers on Twitter, just over 800 followers on Linked in, and close to 400 likes on Facebook!! Be part of the social media revolution! Join us, like us, connect with us and keep up to date with current industry news, IAL courses and events, and many other interesting articles. If you need help getting started in the social media space, call us and we will guide you through the early steps. IAL Professional Development Irrigation Pumps Course Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July – 2015 – Carseldine Palms Motel , Carseldine Brisbane Download the Registration formTuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th August 2015 – Italian Club of Werribee, Werribee VIC – Download the Registration form Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th September 2015 – Comfort Haven Inn, Glenelg North SA – Download the registration form The course covers national competency AHCIRG410A – Select and Manage Pumping Systems for Irrigation. Topics include: irrigation and pumping system requirements, hydraulics of irrigation systems including friction calculations, understanding pump curves and pump selection. For information and to register go to the IAL website or contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), email. We have some reviews of our Irrigation Pumps course from students in Brisbane and Sydney. Click on the link to view: Irrigation Pumps Workshop review Brisbane Irrigation Pumps Workshop review Sydney Irrigation Pumps Workshop group photo Sydney Irrigation Essentials School, 10 – 15 August 2015 Gold Coast, Queensland. Download the registration form Evapotranspiration Masterclass, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 November, 2015, Sydney. Download the registration form Meter Validation and Installation Course, 20-21 July (Shepparton), 10-11 August (Tamworth), 23-24 September (Wodonga), 13-14 October (Warwick), 24-25 November (Yanco). Click on dates for links to more information and to download the registration form. Courses for 2015 The courses below are being scheduled for 2015. Irrigation Efficiency Course This course trains people who are involved in operating or managing irrigation systems to evaluate their systems for efficiency, adjust irrigation schedules if necessary, conduct basic troubleshooting on systems and know when to get expert help. The course provides training for three units of competency from the Certificate III in Irrigation: AHCIRG306A – Troubleshoot irrigation systems, AHCIRG303A – Measure irrigation delivery system performance, and AHCIRG305A – Operate pressurised irrigation systems. Dates being developed for 2015. Download an application form from the IAL website. For general inquiries, phone 1300 949 891 (free call) or send an email to IAL. Irrigation Hydraulics Workshop This 2½-day course is designed for people wanting to determine hydraulic parameters for irrigation systems. Topics include plant- crop water requirements, static and dynamic pressure, hydraulics of irrigation systems and pump selection and sizing. For information and to register your interest in attending a course contact Tracy Martin, phone 08 9474 9089, email or go to the IAL website. Irrigation Performance Evaluation Course This 2-day course is designed for people involved in operating or managing landscape irrigation systems to evaluate them for efficiency, adjust irrigation schedules if necessary, conduct basic maintenance on equipment and know when to get expert help. For information and to register your interest in attending a course contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), email or go to the IAL website. Evapotranspiration Masterclass This two-day masterclass gives participants a better understanding of the concepts, theories and latest research on evapotranspiration (ET) and insights into the most up-to-date methods for estimating crop water requirements. The course includes instructions on how to access and use freely available Landsat images to estimate how much water a crop is using and to assist with irrigation scheduling. For information and to register your interest in attending contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), email or go to the IAL website. Applied Energy Efficiency This 2-day course helps participants understand the various energy efficiency opportunities available, as well as prepare them to build the business case to drive initiatives and deliver benefits to businesses, e.g. power bill savings. It is based on one of the 12 accredited units which make up the Certificate IV in Carbon Management – CTICM303A – Evaluate Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy Options. For information and to register go to the IAL website or contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), or email. To see all the courses that IAL have planned for 2015– please visit the IAL website. Other Courses and Events Soil Science Australia (insert pdf) DRAFT PROGRAM- & Call for abstracts 23rd and 24th July 2015 (Thursday – Friday) 9am-5pm NSW Branch, Regional Meeting Venue: Moree Services Club, Albert St, Moree WORKSHOP- Current Issues in Soil Science Organising Contact: NSW Branch President Dr Jane Aiken, E: jane.aiken@lendlease.com M: 0407 990 613 Advanced Pumping and Hydraulics - “Online” (insert word document) The APH course “empowers” participants to create energy efficient pumping and pipeline systems. Suited to irrigation designers, managers, operators and contractors, especially those planning irrigation system upgrades. Click here for module details Diploma of Irrigation Management Enrol now! River Murray Training is offering online training for the Diploma of Irrigation Management. For information contact River Murray Training. r-m-t.com.au Advanced Pumping and Hydraulics Suited to irrigation engineers, designers, managers, operators and contractors, especially those planning irrigation system upgrades. To register go to the RMT website. Groundwater Training The Sustainable Resources Industry Training has a comprehensive schedule of groundwater training activities for 2015. For information go the SRIT website. srit.com.au PROwater Irrigation Series NSW Department of Primary Industries runs a series of short courses on irrigation topics. For information go to the DPI website and scroll down to the PROwater courses. Dpi.nsw.gov.au ICE WaRM Short courses of 1-3 days are offered and include hydrology and hydraulics basic, groundwater essentials, adapting to climate change, water essentials, and surface-groundwater interactions. Go to the website for a full list of courses. Icewarm.com.au/short-courses/pid=240 Irrigation Australia Journal- make a contribution The Spring edition of the journal is in planning now. Editorial features are Moving water: in the system and on farm and Irrigation and energy. If you are interested in contributing an article on either of these features, or a technical article, contact Anne Currey email (anne@naturallyresourceful.com.au). Deadline for copy is 20 July. Advertisers can take advantage of our Irrigation design and installation advertising feature or annual Pipelines feature to advertise your product or service. Contact Brian Rault email (brian.rault@bcbmedia.com.au) for more information Job Spot Exploring new challenges in the irrigation industry or a change of workplace? Or are you an employer looking to hire a staff member? You can take advantage of the business and job opportunities page on the IAL website to list your position or business for sale, check out people looking for work or see what jobs are available. Employers can list positions vacant, free of charge. Just download the form from the IAL website, fill it in and email it to IAL. We do the rest. Industry Tenders Check out our social media pages for latest industry tenders. Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/irrigationaustralia Twitter- https://twitter.com/IrrigationAus LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/irrigation-australialimited?trk=nav_account_sub_nav_company_admin Share Your News Share your latest news about new products major awards or community initiatives with the IAL social media community. Send a link to Jodie email at the IAL office and she will make sure it is uploaded to the IAL social media pages. New free Member Service Good irrigation managers know that evapotranspiration data is key to planning and for reporting on recent water use. iWater is an irrigator friendly source of daily ET data available for any location in Australia. The data is delivered each morning by email and for IAL members is free! Signup on this link now. IAL’s Members Spotlight IAL Supporting Partner