"Collaboration and Innovation for Irrigation"
Welcome to the Water Technology Cluster Incorporated Web-site! If you wish to go on the email distribution list for the WTC web-site & news updates, or have any feedback please contact Bruce at info@watertechnologycluster.com.au
► For latest news relevant to the Cluster scroll down to "LATEST NEWS" below.
►FOR WEB SITE MAP: CLICK >>>> Click for Site-Map (Updated 3/2010)
STOP PRESS: Details in 'Latest News' below... *** 1. Cluster Workshop, Tuesday Sept 21, afternoon and dinner following,Shepparton Venue and details to be advised. *** 2. Netafim seminar, Sept 6, 6pm, Shepparton MORE INFO? SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LATEST NEWS BELOW.
See further images from meetings in "Who We Are" in the meetings area

The Water Technology Cluster is a partnership between a range of regionally focussed organisations. They are collaborating to help improve the effective and efficient use of water within the irrigation industry. This collaboration will help the sustainable regional development of the irrigation area and its communities. Cluster members are represented from private business, local government, education, government agencies, government authorities, research and development, industry organisations and irrigators.
Cluster Vision. The Goulburn Murray to be known as the water technology capital of Australia: where businesses are attracted to profit from mutual support in order to collaborate, innovate and invest, and to export ideas and technology. Cluster Mission. To provide a collaborative forum to engage, facilitate, educate and lead: where knowledge and expertise is shared so regional businesses, organisations, communities and irrigators can create and develop water technology opportunities for the sustainability of future generations. The Cluster will thereby add significant value to the government and community investment in irrigation modernisation.






Congratulations from Minister Jacinta Allan 

Jacinta Allan
Minister for Regional & Rural Development
"Irrigated agriculture is crucial to the development and competitiveness of Provincial Victoria. The Brumby Government’s investment in the Foodbowl demonstrates strong support for this industry and significant efficiencies will be achieved both on-farm and in the form of public infrastructure.
A vast array of water technology businesses across the Goulburn Murray region is crucial to the progress and efficiency of irrigated agriculture.
In September 2007 I announced Victorian Government funding of $150,000 to help establish the Water Technology Cluster in the Goulburn Murray region. This was to build relationships across a complex range of organisations interested in applying knowledge and technology to achieving efficiencies for the ultimate benefit of businesses and communities in the region. This phase followed significant feasibility work by regional businesses, shires, education and agencies, supported by Regional Development Victoria.
Significant progress has been made in developing the Cluster, with the establishment of this web-site for the use of the water technology sector and customers from the irrigation industry.
On behalf of the Brumby Government I congratulate everyone involved in the establishment and development of the Water Technology Cluster. I wish you success in building a competitive future for irrigated agriculture and its crucial support industries."
Minister for Regional & Rural Development



This web-site is dedicated to the late Ken Sampson and the great legacy he has left us in this region. Stay tuned for updates about plans for an enduring 'memorial' to Ken and his work. KEN SAMPSON 1950-2009: a true believer in partnerships and irrigated agriculture.
►See announcement in 'Latest News' on the irrigation region scholarship and the related appeal. ►Also see details of Ken's posthumous award of the Maclean Iedema Award by Irrigation Australia Limited on June 9 2010.►See photo below of Maree Sampson receiving the Award.
'LATEST NEWS'
PLEASE NOTE UPCOMING DIARY DATES
Sept 2: Melbourne: Exporting Water Technoogy to USA
Sept 6: Netafim CEO Seminar, 6pm, Shepparton News boardroom. 6pm.
PLEASE NOTE: Sept 21 (afternoon): Cluster Workshop: service provider member input to WaterSync research project: Shepparton. Contact Greg Laidlaw, 5871 9222, GLaidlaw@moira.vic.gov.au
Sept 29: Murray Dairy Business Forum. Contact John Boyd, Murray Dairy.
►Cluster Workshop: September 21, Shepparton (venue to be confirmed) afternoon workshop, networking and dinner.
A message to Cluster Members from the Cluster Chair:
"This is the opportunity for Cluster members to take the next step in our move to better understand and meet the needs of irrigators.
Much work has been done in our WaterSync research project by Bruce Cumming and the Practice Change Research group over recent months. This included gathering objective data and better understanding the experiences of farmers from across the region in response to modernisation. This work has generated a proposed market segmentation of irrigators. This was well reported at the last Cluster meeting, and a formal written report will soon be released.
The next step directly involves you as a Cluster member! We will be running a workshop to consider the results of the first part of the WaterSync and get your input, experiences, insights and ideas about the perspectives of the you the service providers who will deal with farmers during modernisation. This will help position us all better to contribute to the modernisation of this important irrigation region.
An added bonus is that we should have the draft report on opportunities for water technology trade with the USA available to discuss.
looking forward to seeing you on the afternoon of September 21 in Shepparton" Roger Wrigley, Cluster Chair.
►Netafim CEO Seminar, Shepparton News Board Room, Sept 6, 6pm.
Netafim Worldwide CEO Igal Aisenberg will be giving an overview of global trends and the future of irrigated agriculture. RSVPs essential. Contact Lisa Madden. lisa.madden@mmg.com.au or phone (03) 58203 202.
Click here for PDF of details for Netafim Seminar
Sept 2: Melbourne: Exporting Water Technoogy to USA
Click for PDF for Flyer for "Exporting to USA Seminar" Melbourne
►MDBA Basin Plan Guide to be released in October
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has announced that the Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan will be publicly released on 8 October. They believe it is important that the proposals be based on the most comprehensive knowledge possible, while understanding the keen desire of communities, environmental groups and irrigators to see the proposals as soon as possible.
They have been improving some of the social and economic elements of the Guide’s contents, and will continue improvements until it is released. It is the first part of a three-stage process consisting of the Guide, the Proposed Basin Plan and the Basin Plan. It will give stakeholders an overview of the Proposed Basin Plan ahead of its release and an additional opportunity for feedback before the formal consultation and submission process begins.
►IAL Conference Papers available on-line:
The successful 2010 Irrigation Australia Conference held in Sydney in June is now available in digital form.
To access copies of papers presented at the Conference, just click on http://irrigation.org.au/index.cfm?/resources/australian-irrigation-conference-2010 The next Conference will be held in Launceston Tasmania on 22-25 August 2011.
►CLUSTER MEETING August 10: 1. progress on incorporation and 2. report back on the WTC WaterSync RDV funded research project. Click on links for Minutes and notes below. This meeting:
►Cluster Workshop: September 21, Shepparton (venue to be confirmed) afternoon workshop, networking and dinner.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has announced that the Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan will be publicly released on 8 October. They believe it is important that the proposals be based on the most comprehensive knowledge possible, while understanding the keen desire of communities, environmental groups and irrigators to see the proposals as soon as possible.
They have been improving some of the social and economic elements of the Guide’s contents, and will continue improvements until it is released. It is the first part of a three-stage process consisting of the Guide, the Proposed Basin Plan and the Basin Plan. It will give stakeholders an overview of the Proposed Basin Plan ahead of its release and an additional opportunity for feedback before the formal consultation and submission process begins.
►IAL Conference Papers available on-line:
The successful 2010 Irrigation Australia Conference held in Sydney in June is now available in digital form.
To access copies of papers presented at the Conference, just click on http://irrigation.org.au/index.cfm?/resources/australian-irrigation-conference-2010 The next Conference will be held in Launceston Tasmania on 22-25 August 2011.
►CLUSTER MEETING August 10: 1. progress on incorporation and 2. report back on the WTC WaterSync RDV funded research project. Click on links for Minutes and notes below. This meeting:- celebrated that the Water Technology Cluster Incorporated now officially exists!
- provided an update on Incorporation including confirmation of Chair, Vice Chair, Public Officer positions
- reported on the WaterSync research project by Geoff Kaine, John Ford and Bruce Cumming, including recommendation summaries, and an overview of the market segmentation.
- Diary dates for Cluster workshops (see above)
Telephone: (03) 5832 1100 http://maps.google.com.au/maps?rlz=1T4LXRA_enAU277AU288&q=Greater%20Shepparton%20Business%20Centre%2070%20New%20Dookie%20Road%2C%20Shepparton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl
Venue: Level 1, 160 Queen Street Melbourne
RSVP: 21 July 2010 to Ben Cusack bcusack@hlbvic.com.au or 03 9606 3324
► MORE CONSULTATION FOR BASIN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGE RULES: Message from Minister Penny Wong
Following advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Minister for Water Senator Penny Wong announced her intention to make the rules. “These water charge rules will mean greater transparency and consistency in the way fees and charges are levied across the Basin," Senator Wong said. The advice provided by the ACCC on the water infrastructure charge rules and accreditation of state regulators has been carefully considered by the Government.
The Government intends to adopt the ACCC’s recommended three-tiered approach to the regulation of water infrastructure operators in the Basin. The proposed rules also provide for the accreditation of state regulators to undertake price approvals or determinations. However, the Government has indicated that it proposes to make a number of changes to the ACCC’s draft rules. For this reason, a further consultation period will be held on the proposed rules.
Submissions should be lodged by 10 September 2010. Information about the water infrastructure charge rules and how to make a submission can be found at: www.environment.gov.au/water
-
The Cluster has formally triggered the next step in getting Incorprated Status in Numurkah on June 16. Three key motions were passed at the meeting: 1. The Cluster will formally adopt "Water Technology Cluster" as its entity name. 2. The Statement of Purpose for the Cluster will be the Vision, Mission and Terms of Reference which can be found on this web-site. 3. Greg Laidlaw was given the Authorisation to proceed with the application for incorporated status. Roger Wrigley was selected to continue on as the chair of the Cluster as it moves into its next phase.
-
Wendy Buck presented a report on the successful Irrigation Expo held in May. Click on the Irrigation Expo tab at right to view images from the Expo. Dennis Santamaria who was on the Expo organising committee raised the idea of setting up an Events Committee. This Cluster sub-committee will coordinate the 2011 Expo. It will also jointly develop and run other events like field days, doing this in cooperation with key Cluster partners in particular DPI, NVIRP, GMW and the CMA.
-
Bruce Cumming gave an update of the Cluster's WaterSync research project which is funded by Regional Development Victoria. Bruce is working with the DPI Practice Change Research Team and discussed interim findings and observations. This part of the project is focussing on changes adopted by farmers following modernisation. It is getting a better understanding of the range of things farmers do on their farms in response to the changes triggered by the modernisation process, and the factors affecting those choices. In the process it is identifying the type and mix of products and services irrigators are likely to need from Cluster members in the future as modernisation progresses .

