Queensland Member Regional Update | June 2025 New

Date: 12-Jun-2025

Welcome to the latest Queensland Member Regional Update, where you’ll find the latest updates, events, and insights shaping the irrigation industry across the region. The aim of each edition is to provide you with valuable regional news and the opportunity to stay connected with our vibrant community.

Expressions of Interest open for executive committee roles

Are you passionate about the irrigation industry? Do you want to help shape the future of our sector and represent your region at a national level?

Expressions of Interest for formal Executive Committee roles will be opening shortly. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something meaningful, contribute to industry development, and have your voice heard.

Whether you're looking to make an impact, build your leadership experience, or simply give back to the industry, we’d love to hear from you.

To express your interest or learn more, please contact Rebecca New at rebecca.new@irrigation.org.au by Thursday, 31 July 2025.

Now’s the time to get involved and help drive positive change!

Welcome to our newest members who have joined Irrigation Australia over the past six months! We're excited to have you as part of our community and look forward to working together to advance water management and irrigation excellence across Australia. 

• Mr Lourens. G
• Mr Allan. J
• Mr Barry. M
• FNQ Water
• Water Wise Consulting
• Think Water - Townsville

Strong start for new Irrigation Efficiency & Practical Skills Micro-credential

In our last update, we shared the exciting news that we’d lodged a funding application for a new micro-credential aimed at supporting new entrants to the irrigation industry.

We’re now thrilled to report that our Irrigation Efficiency and Practical Skills Micro-credential officially launched on Tuesday, 20 May, with a full class of 12 participants beginning their training journey.

Designed specifically for Queenslanders, this fully funded online course is helping new industry entrants build confidence, develop practical skills, and prepare for their first supervised fieldwork or customer interactions.

Delivered over two engaging half-days, the course focuses on foundational knowledge in water, pumps, and energy efficiency, with hands-on maintenance techniques to support productivity, reduce waste, and lower operational costs. Participants also had the opportunity to explore future career development with our experienced Senior Trainer & Assessor, Stuart Alexander.

The feedback from our first intake has been overwhelmingly positive:

“This course has extended my knowledge on the irrigation industry and given me new skills to use in the real world.”

“A great course for anyone looking to better understand the irrigation industry or widen their knowledge on irrigation.”

It’s clear this is a great course for anyone looking to better understand the irrigation industry or widen their knowledge on irrigation, whether you're a newcomer, an employer upskilling your team, or someone exploring a future in water management.

Next intake scheduled for 22–23 July

With the first session complete and a growing waitlist, we’re excited to confirm our July intake is already full! The following session will commence on 19 August.

Thanks to generous Queensland Government funding, this course remains available for just $110 incl. GST, and we plan to run monthly sessions over the next nine months. To meet our grant target, it is critical that we hit our target of 144 students and 50 employers by the end of the funding period.

If you or someone you know would benefit from this course, please contact us at training@irrigation.org.au to join the waitlist or register for the upcoming August intake here.

Irrigation Australia students shine

If there’s one thing that unites the Irrigation Australia team, it’s our passion for our students and our commitment to delivering a high-quality training experience. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with many outstanding individuals, and 2025 marked the first time we’ve put forward nominations for the state training awards to formally recognise some of our top achievers.

With so many deserving candidates, selecting nominees wasn’t easy. But today, we’re especially proud to highlight D’Artagnan Flattery-Donohoe, better known as “Nuggy,” who was nominated for the Queensland State Training Awards.

Currently working as a foreman at Project Pumps, Nuggy completed his Certificate III in Irrigation Technology in March this year. A well-respected team leader, he’s been instrumental in improving workplace policies, especially in health and safety, and is known for sharing the skills and insights gained through his training.

We’re excited to share that Nuggy progressed through to the shortlist stage of the awards, an achievement in itself given the high level of competition. While he didn’t make it through as a finalist this time, we’re incredibly proud of his journey and the impact he’s had both in the field and among his peers.

At Irrigation Australia, we’re committed to delivering world-class training, on-demand learning, and recognised certification, because professionals deserve the tools to succeed. This isn’t just about irrigation. It’s about leadership, purpose, and being the expert the industry needs.

Train smarter, not harder – Unlock unlimited access to our best value irrigation training

Access our most cost-effective and comprehensive introductory irrigation training packages yet – perfect for new and recently started staff!

Following the successful launch of our Introduction to Irrigation – Part A self-paced online course, Irrigation Australia is excited to expand our training suite with two brand-new learning pathways: Part B: Landscape and Part B: Agricultural. These new modules build on the solid foundation of Part A and are designed to deepen your understanding of irrigation practices in either landscape or agricultural contexts.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your existing skills, onboard new staff, or support continued professional development, these courses offer practical, flexible learning for irrigation professionals at various stages of their career.

Course overview

Introduction to Irrigation - Part A is a four-hour, self-paced online course that provides foundational, non-accredited training based on Certificate II level content. Ideal for newcomers to the industry, including landscapers, property managers, and irrigation retail staff, it delivers clear, practical insights into key irrigation concepts and components. Widely praised as engaging and accessible, it's the perfect starting point for those with little to no prior experience.

Introduction to Irrigation - Part B: Landscape is a six-hour, self-paced online course based on non-accredited Certificate III level content. Designed for those working in urban and open space environments, it builds on foundational knowledge with more advanced topics like commercial systems, filtration, pumps, backflow prevention, basic design, wiring, hydraulics, and water efficiency.

Introduction to Irrigation - Part B: Agricultural is a five-hour, self-paced online course based on non-accredited Certificate III level content. Designed for those in or entering the agricultural sector, it covers key farm irrigation topics such as system types, pivots, drip and under-tree irrigation, filtration, fertigation, pumps, water meters, soil management, and monitoring technology.

Flexible access options, including a new company subscription

Alongside one-off individual purchases, Irrigation Australia now offers an exclusive 12-month company training subscription for company members, providing unlimited access for your staff to all three online courses. It’s a cost-effective and scalable way to ensure your team is equipped with the skills and knowledge required in today’s irrigation landscape.

Pricing (Until 30 June):

Company Members: $550 incl. GST (Rising to $660 from 1 July)

Upskill with confidence and support your team’s development with our growing suite of online irrigation courses. Whether you’re laying the groundwork or taking the next step in your career, Part B: Landscape and Part B: Agricultural will help you grow your knowledge and improve your on-the-job performance.

Click here to find out more and secure a subscription for your whole team today!

Queensland members go behind the scenes with Rodney Industries

A few weeks ago, Irrigation Australia was proud to host an exclusive member event in Queensland, bringing together irrigation professionals from across the region to connect, learn, and explore the latest innovations shaping our industry.

Held on Friday, 23 May, the event gave members a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at Rodney Industries Pty Ltd., one of Australia’s leading manufacturers and suppliers to the irrigation, mining, and civil sectors. The team at Rodney Industries generously sponsored and hosted the event, also providing a delicious lunch for all attendees.

During a guided tour of their impressive operations, members saw firsthand the innovation, quality craftsmanship, and dedication that has made Rodney Industries a trusted name in the industry. From their advanced manufacturing processes to their commitment to delivering high-performance solutions, the tour was a standout highlight that offered valuable insights into what’s driving Australian irrigation forward.

In addition to the tour, attendees enjoyed a chance to network with fellow professionals and connect with the broader irrigation community. The event also featured a special address from our CEO, who shared exciting updates on Irrigation Australia’s national training initiatives and our continued commitment to building skills, leadership, and resilience across the sector.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rodney Industries for their warm hospitality and support in making this event a success, and to all the members who joined us. It’s through events like these that we strengthen our community and continue advancing the irrigation industry together.

Upcoming training opportunities

Ready to enhance your skills or work towards obtaining a certification? Here’s what’s coming up in Queensland over the next few months:

Meter Installation & Validation  |  Virtual Delivery  |  24 – 27 June 2025

Certificate III in Irrigation Technology  |  Townsville QLD  |  Commences 14 July 2025  SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING AVAILABLE

Certified Irrigation Installer  |  Townsville QLD  |  15 – 18 July 2025

Meter Installation & Validation  |  Brisbane QLD  |  22 – 24 July 2025

Irrigation Efficiency & Practical Skills  |  Virtual Delivery  |  22 - 23 July 2025  COURSE FULL

Meter Installation & Validation  |  Bundaberg QLD  |  5 - 7 August 2025

Certificate III in Irrigation Technology  |  Brisbane QLD  |  Commences 25 August 2025  SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING AVAILABLE

Irrigation Efficiency & Practical Skills (Micro-credential)  |  Virtual Delivery  |  26 - 27 August 2025  QUEENSLAND FUNDED

Certified Irrigation Installer  |  Brisbane QLD  |  26 - 29 August 2025

Meter Installation & Validation  |  Virtual Delivery  |  4 - 7 November 2025

If the timing isn’t right for you for any of the above but you are interested in a particular course, please contact training@irrigation.org.au. Click here to find out more about funding options in Queensland and to see if you are eligible.

Click here to view upcoming Training Courses.

Click here to view the latest Career Opportunities available within the Irrigation Industry.