For more information on this project go to the Central Goulburn 1234 Channel Automation Project page on the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, website.

Stage 1 of this project was completed in 2006. Stage 2 works were completed in 2008, Stage 3 works are currently underway and anticipated to be completed by 2010.

Estimated Water Savings 20,000 ML (20 GL)

The Central Goulburn Channel Automation Project (CG1234) aims to automate channels within the Central Goulburn Irrigation Area, south east of Tatura in Victoria's North. This project will continue to trial channel automation on Central Goulburn channels 1, 3 and 4 following the recently concluded two-year pilot on the CG2 channel.  Stage 1 involves the automation of the channel regulators on channels CG 1, 3 and 4 and completing the automation of channel CG2 in order to reduce outfalls, reduce meter error in CG2 and identify channel sections with high leakage and seepage loss. The second stage involves civil works to rectify leakage and seepage identified in Stage 1.  The third stage involves replacement of Dethridge Meters in CG 1, 3 and 4. The project has been seed funded by the Victorian Water Trust.

This project will:

• Achieve 20 gigalitres in water savings which can be returned to the river system for use in environmental flows.
• Improve the service to approximately 450 irrigators in GMW's Central Goulburn Irrigation District through automated gate operation and higher delivery flow rates (CG2) and assurance of operation levels along the full length of irrigation channels
• Improve the asset life and performance of a significant portion of GMW's delivery infrastructure as well as reduced risk with removal of manual operation of regulators

The CG 1 to 4 Channel Automation project will create:

• A modern irrigation system with automated operation resulting in reduced outfalls, improved service and reliability
• A channel delivery system that will allow continuous monitoring of section by section performance assisting in targeting maintenance activities

The results of a recently completed survey of irrigators involved in the project are attached.

Central Goulburn 1 to 4 Customer Survey Report (1536 KB)

Central Goulburn 1 to 4 Customer Survey Report, Executive Summary (2709 KB)