e-News Edition #8

Date: 19-May-2023

Hot Topics

1. Federal Budget Summary

2. Big news for Queensland - state government funding support for irrigation training

3. We need trainers nationally - and the training qualification is not essential!

4. 2023 Waterwise Irrigation Expo - Exhibition Space on Sale Now

5. Quick Member Survey - Future Job Needs

6. WatSave Awards

7. World Heritage Irrigation Structures

8. Quick Survey for Queensland-based members from your committee

9. Mental Health Update

10. The Autumn Edition of the Overflow is now available

11. Highlights from "The Vines" member event WA

12. Priority Industry Training (PIT's) subsidies available in Western Australia

13. Rural & Turf Irrigation - Industry Event Day 1 June Geelong

1. Federal Budget Summary

A brief summary of announcements with might be of interest to members:

Murray Darling Basin
- $103.7 million for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to prepare for and undertake the first statutory review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan 2012, with updated science to enable the Basin to adapt to the impacts of climate change
- $44.9 million for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to provide advice and work with Basin states and affected communities on the Basin Plan

National Water Grid fund savings
- $595M by abandoning Dungowan Dam (previously deferred)
- $162.5M by abandoning Emu Swamp Dam to consider alternative options (previously deferred)
- $39.7M by abandoning the Southern Forests Irrigation Scheme
- $35M by abandoning the Fingal Irrigation Scheme
- An additional $40.3M for projects that are being re-scoped, not progressing or do not require additional Commonwealth funding.
- The Hughenden Irrigation Scheme and Wyangala Wall Raising projects ($19.1M for 2026-27) have been further deferred.

National Water Grid fund expenditures
- $70.9M for the National Water Grid Authority's expanded remit
- $109M for the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme
- $62.1M for the Sassafras-Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme
- $26.1M for the Quality Water for Wannon project

Other water-related
- Saving $9.5M through the abolition of the North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority
- $32.7M over 4 years "to restore transparency, integrity and confidence to water markets including a single digital platform for national water data management, a new water market website to publish minute-by-minute updates on water market information, water market data standards that prescribe the data that must be provided to the Bureau of Meteorology to support transparency and enforceability of the new water market regulatory regime"

In addition
- Various energy concessions at a household level, some significant investments in renewable energy projects, hydrogen, climate change adaptation and support for decarbonisation.
- A $20,000 instant asset write-off for businesses with a turnover <$10M.
- Further allocations to the Natural Heritage Trust linked to restoration of urban rivers and catchments, threatened species, soil health initiatives, along with flood warning infrastructure
- Additional biosecurity funding along with disaster resilience support
- Increases to fee-free vocational education places, investment in apprenticeships and foundation skills and a new plan for skilled migration

2. Big news for Queensland - state government funding support for irrigation training

Following on from our successful applications in a number of other states we are pleased to announce that Irrigation Australia has secured an agreement with the Queensland Government to become a Skills Assure Supplier, meaning initially that we can deliver AHC32422 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology in Queensland with generous state funding support. More will come as soon as we have made final confirmation of the details, but for most new and existing workers the government will contribute around $6,000 towards a total $8,000 qualification, with some additional support for regional delivery. Eligibility is broad – more details here.

We are busy working on scheduling training blocks commencing July 2023 and there will be at least a couple in Brisbane initially. We are also looking at some regional delivery options – if you are interested please complete the survey here and we will aim to prioritise areas with the most demand.

While we are obviously keen to see growth in the uptake of the courses we deliver, it is particularly pleasing to see governments invest in our sector and support going directly to our members to help address skilling challenges. We believe that over $1M has been contributed over the last 4 years, and are continually developing business cases to expand coverage of this support.

3. We need trainers nationally - and the training qualification is not essential!

Are you an experienced irrigation professional with strong technical skills and knowledge?

Have you considered a career in contributing to the irrigation industry as a trainer?

Are you up for flexible working arrangements and a bit of work/life balance?

Irrigation Training Australia (RTO 91313) is the only RTO operating nationally to deliver a range of accredited and non-accredited training courses to the sector, including the Certificate III in Irrigation Technology, Certificate IV in Irrigation Management, and a number of smaller credentials focusing on design, meters and a range of other important technical skill sets.

At the moment it’s very difficult to find people with both the technical background and training qualifications, so we’re taking a different approach – aiming to recruit one full time person based in Brisbane to transition to enrol in their Cert IV Training and Assessment and build their experience on the job, along with more contract trainers based around the country (and we will also look at financial support to undertake training qualifications for the right people).

If you're an irrigation expert or have a related background in pumps, landscaping or horticulture, Brisbane-based (or prepared to be) and keen to develop skills as a trainer, please send your resume or details of your experience to training@irrigation.org.au and if it looks like a good fit we'll be in touch for a chat. There is plenty of demand for our training meaning opportunities to develop your career.

4. 2023 Waterwise Irrigation Expo - Exhibition Space on Sale Now

The 2023 Waterwise Irrigation Expo will be held in August at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Waterwise Irrigation Expo is the premier Western Australian event for the urban landscape industry. This biennial event provides Exhibitors a face-to-face opportunity with delegates from all sectors of the irrigation industry including Local Govt Parks & Gardens Teams, Landscapers, Irrigation Installers, Contractors and Retailers and Turf Managers.

With over 50& now sold, secure your space today - download the Prospectus OR Register here.

5. Quick Member Survey - Future Job Needs

One of Irrigation Australia’s new strategic focus areas will be on industry careers including how better to support members in attracting, retaining and skilling staff. The most common starting question to ask is how to quantify demand for skills, and as we are starting from nothing it’s going to take a while to get good data.

This survey is open Australia-wide and we will be looking at how we can feed this in to various state planning activities, as well as potentially preparing a regular report if we can get a solid response rate. This sort of data is already requested regularly from a number of places – particularly to inform employment support programs and Vocational Education and Training investment. The better profile we can get, the better case we have to argue for more incentives for members.

There is a $100 gift card on offer through a random draw for all those Irrigation Australia members who can spare 5 minutes.

Please have a think about current shortages impacting your business, anticipated shortages over the next few years, and new/ emerging areas like digital technologies where we might need to be gearing now for very different jobs. This is very much a “suck it and see” exercise – we will use the information to start building a better profile of the types of jobs you’re prioritising to be more targeted in future.

The survey is available here.

6. WatSave Awards

Nominations are invited from individuals/teams for these prestigious international awards.

Recognizing the need to encourage innovations in irrigation and drainage, ICID instituted WatSave Annual Award(s) in 1997 which are presented each year to recognize outstanding contributions to water conservation or water saving in agriculture. The Awards given to individuals or a team of individuals are made in respect of actual realized savings and not for promising research results, plans and/or good ideas/intentions to save water.

The WatSave Awards are given in four categories: (i) Technology (ii) Innovative Water Management (iii) Young Professionals; and (iv) Farmer(s) to recognize outstanding contribution to water conservation or water-saving for the benefit of all water users. Only one nomination in each category is allowed from a member National Committee. More details including the procedure for submitting nominations can be accessed here.

Each of the above awards carries an honorarium of US$ 2000 and a Citation/ Plaque.

Check out Australia’s winning 2022 entry Leveraging Canal Automation Technology To Improve Karnataka’s Precious Water Resources and other past award winners here.

If you are part of a project you believe has potential, please contact dave.cameron@irrigation.org.au before 31 May and we will arrange for consideration by the Australian national committee.

7. World Heritage Irrigation Structures

Nominations are also invited for the selection of “World Heritage Irrigation Structures” (WHIS) that includes both old operational irrigation structures as well as those having an archival value. A National Committee can nominate up to 4 structures.

Read more about the Dethridge Outlet/ Wheel here – the 2022 winner from Australia.

As with Watsave, if you are aware of a structure worth of consideration, please contact dave.cameron@irrigation.org.au before 31 May and we will arrange for consideration by the Australian national committee.

8. Quick Survey for Queensland-based members from your committee

You'll see more surveys in future editions as we seek to build our industry careers material, by for now on behalf of our recently re-formed Queensland committee we're seeking a bit of intelligence to support its planning.

Click here if you can help – only a few minutes tops. The group is working on some events/ field days for this year but are also particularly interested in your ideas for projects for collaboration, and any other priorities they should be working on. There is a big interest linking to the survey at topic 5 above – everyone seems to be feeling the challenges of the employment market and wanting to work on how we can encourage new blood into the sector. We want the top priorities like this to be a focus for grant applications to support some real work to support businesses with these challenges

9. Mental Health Update

Irrigation Australia staff were asked a while ago to consider a charity and a related theme leading into our major conference next year and have overwhelmingly supported promoting mental health. Thanks in particular to Stuart Alexander whose focus and genuine passion for workplace health and safety and mental health are inspiring.

We aren’t quite at the point of deciding a charity yet but are keen to start sharing useful gear and stories. To that end, check out these excellent resources from the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Booklet

10. The Autumn Edition of the Overflow is now available

The Overflow is the official quarterly digital publication of Irrigation Australia in the WA region. The magazine addresses the full spectrum of issues from water and industry policy through to articles of interest in residential, public open space and rural irrigation. Regular features include:

Chair's Report
Regional Update
Articles on WA irrigation projects
Local News & Events
Waterwise Programs business listings

To view the latest Autumn Overflow Edition,click here.

11. Highlights from "The Vines" member event WA

Irrigation Australia hosted its first member event for 2023 with the support of Western Irrigation Pty Ltd and The Vines Resort in collaboration to upgrade the pump station and replace the irrigation system on the entire course. It was an impressive turnout of members eager to hear from presenters from the Golf Course Superintendent, Brad Pavlinovich and Rick Charles from Western Irrigation.Members enjoyed hot Barista coffee and an assortment of brekkie treats to ward off the chilly morning prior to the discussions commencing. Irrigation Australia (WA Region) would like to thank all participants and presenters at this event.

12. Priority Industry Training (PIT's) subsidies available in Western Australia

Irrigation Australia is approved to offer Priority Industry Training (PIT’s) subsidised training in Western Australia. Priority Industry Training (PIT) provides eligible participants with subsidised training opportunities under Jobs and Skills WA. Priority training areas include apprenticeships, eligible traineeships, and priority industry qualifications.This WA government-funded training opportunity exists for irrigation industry businesses wanting to train existing workers in AHC32422 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology. The training course includes 22 units of competency and will educate the employee in design, operations and maintenance of irrigation systems which can be utilised across a wide range of environments such as; local government; landscapers; contractors; retail outlets. Once the trainee has successfully completed the course, they will receive a Nationally Recognised Qualification as a Qualified Irrigation Technician. These PIT’s subsidised traineeships are available to:

existing employees
new employees with over 3 months on fulltime employment

Eligibility and funding criteria apply. To learn more contact us today training@irrigation.org.au

The PITs funding is another great example of Irrigation Australia’s efforts to attract government investment to support our members and broader industry – kudos to our hard-working WA Office staff and committee volunteers (and the WA government of course!) for making it possible.

13. Rural & Turf Irrigation - Industry Event Day 1 June Geelong

Rural and Turf Irrigation has been a part of Geelong for over 30 years, supplying local councils, sporting fields, civil, commercial, and residential with the watering systems they needed to flourish.

At the Free Irrigation Industry Event the Rural and Turf Irrigation team will be showing off what Water Saving Innovations are available, discussing effective and accurate irrigation design, there will be wet displays that are hands on and heaps of opportunity to talk to the experts about how you can irrigate your property.

Date: 1st June 2023

Location: The Geelong Racecourse. 99 Breakwater Rd Breakwater

Bookings: 5229 4147 or email ruralgee@ruralandturf.com.au

Cost: Free

Time:

Gardeners, garden club members: 11am-12:30pm

Commercial, Civil, Golf: 1pm-2:30pm

Landscapers and irrigation specialist / installers: 3pm-4:30pm

Jim’s Mowing: 5pm-6:30pm

More information is available here.

CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN IRRIGATION AUSTRALIA MEMBER

CLICK HERE TO VIEW UPCOMING TRAINING COURSES

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE IRRIGATION INDUSTRY

Till next time, best wishes.....

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