RICHMOND - Parliament of Australia
Transcript of RICHMOND - Parliament of Australia
RICHMOND DEVELOPING NORTH AUSTRALIA AS THE NEXT FOOD BOWL
PROPOSAL FOR O’CONNELL CREEK
OFF‐STREAM WATER STORAGE FACILITY
SHIRE PROFILE Richmond Shire is centrally located in Queensland’s North West bound by the Flinders, McKinlay, Winton, Croydon and Etheridge Shires. The town of Richmond located on the Flinders Highway, 500km west of Townsville and 400km east of Mount Isa and is accessible to export links in Townsville, Darwin and south to Brisbane via road or rail. The township of Richmond provides essential services for the residents and surrounding properties. The town has a mixture of residential, rural residential and industrial land available and is surrounded by rich black soil on open downs country of Mitchell and Flinders Grass to the South and a mineral rich forest country to the North. Richmond Shire Council 50 Goldring Street Richmond QLD 4822 Phone: (07) 47413277 Fax: (07) 47413308 Mobile: (0428) 413277 (CEO) Email: [email protected] Web address: www.richmond.qld.gov.au
RICHMOND SHIRE
SIZE: 26,602km2 (about the size of Belgium)
POPULATION: 1151 (700 permanent residents in the township of Richmond)
CLIMATE: Average minimum 15oC to average maximum 33oC
RAINFALL AVERAGE: 400 and 500ml
MAJOR INDUSTRIES: Agricultural and Tourism
EMERGING INDUSTRIES: Mining
OTHER INDUSTRIES: Sandalwood, Redclaw (Aquaculture) ‐ Camel and Goat Exports
OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH: Irrigation farms
DISTANCE FROM BRISBANE: 1432km north‐west
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES: The Mayor and 4 Councillors
WATER RESOURCES: Source: Great Artesian Basin
Flinders River produces a mean flow at Richmond 546037ML
THE PROPOSAL – O’CONNELL CREEK WATER STORAGE FACILITY
LOCATION: O’Connell Creek is a tributary to the Flinders River, flowing in to the Flinders River about 25km west of Richmond township (see attachment 1)
DAM CAPACITY 192,000ML
YIELD Yield 55,500ml at 85% reliability.
IRRIGATION AREA 5000ha ‐12,500 acres
COST Cost $100 million
SOIL TYPE Black Soil
FLINDERS RIVER ALLOCATION 100,000ML annually (2½ % of the total river) or 18% of what flows past Richmond.
CATCHMENT Southern Gulf
INTRODUCTION The Richmond Shire Council seeks to develop a water storage facility, west of the township of Richmond to create opportunity for irrigation farming in the area. A deputation to the chair of the Northern Australian Water Taskforce was undertaken in May 2007 followed by a visit from the Taskforce in September 2007.
Members of the Northern Australian Water Taskforce at site overlooking O’Connell Creek
In recognition of the change of government a submission was presented to Infrastructure Australia’s as part of the North Queensland Mayoral Alliance. PART A ‐ Overview O’Connell Creek is a tributary of the Flinders River, flowing into the Flinders River about 25km west of the Richmond township. The O’Connell Creek Off‐Stream Water Storage proposal would require a weir in the Flinders River to divert the high flows into a storage facility. The storage facility will have a wall and spillway with excess water returning back into the Flinders River when it is full.
Flinders River in the foreground in flood Jan 2009. Richmond township in centre. O’Connell Creek side to the top left.
The yield required per annum is approximately 55,500ML at 85% reliability and would be capable of irrigating approximately 5000ha (12,500 acres) at an initial development cost of $113 million. The facility would draw approximately 100,000 ML annually, representing 2½ % of the total river or 18% of what flows past Richmond each year. The January 2009 flood event has shown the Flinders River peak at between 100,000ML to 220,976ML per day for up to four days or more at a time. (see Attachment 2 ‐ source Department of Natural Resources and Water Qld) The State of Environment Report 2006 indicates that the demand for water is increasing across the nation, and in spite of trends of more efficient and careful water use, the pressure to build new dams and to exploit additional groundwater and river systems (especially in northern Australia) is growing. Table 1 below shows the number and storage capacity of dams across the nation.1
Number and storage capacity of large dams ‐ 2001
NSW Vic. Qld SA WA Tas. NT ACT Aust.
Number 135 97 99 29 49 86 3 3 501
Volume (ML) 25,769,780 12,271,626 10,469,325 260,848 12,207,839 32,401,758 275,360 91,700 93,748,236
State of the Environment Report 2006 ‐ Source: Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated 2004, Register of Large Dams in Australia, viewed 11 Jan 2005, http://www.ancold.org.au/dam_register.html Source: Environment ACT 2004, Think water, act water. Volume 3: State of the ACT's water resources and catchments, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, viewed 4 Oct 2005, http://www.thinkwater.act.gov.au/strategy/draft_strategy.shtml
In some parts of the Shire established industries have been able to rely on good soil and water supply to produce crops, despite long periods of drought. A snap shot of flood levels since 1974 indicate that despite being drought declared since 2003 the Flinders river has still produced in excess of 100,000ML per day during peak flood events, as follows:
Year River Height (Metres) Note: at 5.8m flow is 100,000ML per day Source: local data
1974 8.76 1984 8.4 1990 7.5 1991 7.4 (7/6 – 22/7) 1994 7.55 2000 7.6 2002 7.4
1 Australia State of the Environment 2006 Independent report to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage Beeton RJS (Bob), Buckley Kristal I, Jones Gary J, Morgan Denise, Reichelt Russell E, Trewin Dennis (2006 Australian State of the Environment Committee), 2006
Year River Height (Metres) Note: at 5.8m flow is 100,000ML per day Source: local data
2003 6.8 (Feb and March) 2004 7.1 2005 5.8 2006 5.6 2008 6.9 2009 7.5
Above: Flood event January 2009 Flinders River at 7.5m
O’Connell Creek has the potential to expand Australia’s productive capacity and at the same time address the growing concerns of the Murray Darling Basin. Chief Executive Dr Wendy Craik AM of the Murray Darling Basin is quoted as stating ‘The Murray Darling continues to experience very disappointing flows and the likelihood of upper Murray inflows being above average for the remainder of winter and spring is very low,” Until there is significant rain and run‐off, the prospects for irrigation and the environment in 2008‐09 remain grim, Dr Craik said. 2 Opportunities for developing irrigation in the North have been discussed at a federal level and Council believes that Richmond’s proposal is consistent with the findings of the Australian 2020 Summit that seeks to plan to develop and grow where the water is, rather than delivering it across the country. In the closing speeches of the 2020 Summit it was stated that “we need to chase the water in the north……. and be part of a global
2 Media Release ‐Thursday 10 July, 2008
response to the world food shortages….[and that]..there should be updated soil and hydrology studies.” 3 Richmond has completed its pre‐feasibility study and could deliver the O’Connell Creek Off‐Stream Water Storage Facility with government/private investment, a development grant from the Federal Government and appropriate water licensing from the State Government. ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Initial investment for construction is estimated cost at $113m4 with the potential to create significant economic growth in the North West region. A water forum held in Hughenden in November 2007 recognised that a project of this nature would bring the expertise and knowledge to the Region and thereby assist the development of further satellite farming projects (that without such support would not be sustainable). In the current economic downturn and declining resource industries in the North West agricultural development of this type will create sustainable jobs in the long term. It is estimated around 283 jobs will be created both directly and indirectly from the construction phase through to sustaining the export, transport and associated agricultural industries. The initial construction program is as follows: Year 1 Off‐stream Storage
Year 2 Weir, diversion channel & 50% of total irrigation area
Year 3 Additional 25% of total irrigation area
Year 4 Remaining 25% of total irrigation area
GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Agriculture is an important component of the Australian economy and the life‐blood of regional Australia. Farmers manage 60% of the Australian landmass, with the farmgate value of the sector contributing around 3% of GDP.5
Richmond Shire has the potential to contribute to three of the significant contributors of the State’s economy ‐ mining, agriculture and tourism. Council’s vision is to develop a community that strives to achieve a high quality of lifestyle for residents and visitors. Council’s mission is to facilitate and foster economic development, industries and
3 2020 Summit wraps up: the closing speeches ‐Tim Fischer and Tony Burke 4 excluding irrigation infrastructure and allowances for land acquisition and resumptions, engineering and contingencies 5 Department of Climate Change, The Greenhouse Action in Regional Australia programme
innovative projects, while continually upgrading and maintaining public infrastructure, to meet the growth of the Shire. The Federal Government recognizes that local government plays an important part in the management of natural resources and has the responsibility for protecting the environment, planning future landscapes, providing infrastructure and managing natural resources through a variety of mechanisms. Richmond Shire has the capacity to contribute to natural resource management planning in the Region and the realization of O’Connell Creek Water Storage Facility.
Local government capacity for natural resource management planning
Source: Shepherd (2005) – State of the Environment Report 2006
Richmond Shire is concerned at the declining population in rural and regional Australia. It is well known that rural decline generally has both economic and environmental flow‐on effects.
The National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) forecasts a decline of between 30 and 55 per cent in farmer numbers by 2020 (Figure 2) and a continued increase in the age of the farming population (NLWRA 2002a). Median farmer age increased from 48 years to more than 50 years between 1996 and 2001 (Barr 2004). Together, these two trends directly affect the viability of rural communities.
Projected age and number of Australian farmers 1996–2021 using fast and slow adjustment scenarios
Source: NLWRA (2002a)
The O’Connell Creek Water Storage Facility has the ability to reverse the above trend in the North West Region and will increase the population and demand for housing and services: • Existing marginal businesses will become sustainable. • New industrial development will service the township and agricultural industry. • The School will teach to Year 12 (currently to Year 10). • Infrastructure will be improved. • Council and Government services will improve. • Quality of life will improve. To prepare for growth the Richmond Shire has developed a rural residential subdivision ‐ Middleton Street West 32 x 1 acre allotments and an industrial subdivision adjacent the Flinders Highway, currently in the process of development assessment. Council’s ten year plan consists of projects to address the growth predicted by the construction of the O’Connell Creek Off‐steam Water Storage Facility. The major routes north and south on the Richmond‐Croydon Road and Richmond‐Winton Road will be sealed to facilitate additional transportation needs arising from increased agricultural, mining and tourism industries. Council will also investigate and plan for future upgrades to the sewerage treatment plant to cater for a town population over 1200. The pre‐feasibility study predicts that if price trends, water scarcity and policy directions continue in the present direction, the viability of the O’Connell Creek Off‐Stream Water Storage Facility will increase. As a solution to current water scarcity, the potential for increasing irrigated agriculture in Northern Australia has been considered
at recent forums and maybe pursued in future in Federal Government policy. (Australia2020 and CSIRO 2008)
“We have a unique and historic opportunity to ensure that management and use of Australia’s northern land and water resources takes place within a strategic, ecologically, culturally and economically sustainable framework,” said NAIF Team Leader Jeff Camkin – from CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship and the CRC for Irrigation Futures An improved understanding of river and catchment attributes and the risks associated with irrigation will help inform decisions regarding irrigation and other development opportunities in northern Australia.”6 Mr Cramkin said
6 Media Release ‐ Improving knowledge about water in Australia's north 22 May 2008 Ref 08/75 NAIF Team Leader Jeff Camkin – from CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship and the CRC for Irrigation Futures
ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing accounts for approximately 41.2% of employed persons in Richmond according to ABS statistics 2006. The value of agricultural production for Richmond in 2001 was $36.2m. [2006 census statistics not available] Beef cattle production was the largest activity, accounting for 90% of the value of production. Wool (7%) was also produced. Other agricultural/forestry industries in the Shire include sandalwood, crops, goats and camels. Further development of irrigation opportunities in the region has the ability to strengthen the diverse range of established agricultural activities.
Properties in the region today are producing crops that demonstrate the potential diversification and economic growth that a larger water storage facility, such as O’Connell Creek would contribute to the North West. Crops that have been successfully grown in the last few years in Richmond include, specialty grain, corn for human consumption with shipments to Kelloggs and Defiance. A trial of watermelon, honey dew melon and rockmelon was successful and the region continues to produce large volumes of Sorghum, Lucerne and other crops suitable for fodder.
Below SilverHills water storage facility (2004)
The Qld Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has identified Richmond as a potential area for irrigation and will provide valuable input into successful agricultural practices. There was also widespread interest from irrigation suppliers at the Water Forum in Hughenden in November 2007.
Below: Silver Hills NE Richmond – Feed lot and Corn Harvest 2008
Above: Silverhills Gravity fed irrigation system (2208) Below: Sorghum and Watermelon – Hopevale SW Richmond (2007)
CLIMATE CHANGE
The agriculture sector is vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change. These impacts include:
• a reduction in annual average rainfall over much of the Australian continent • increases in mean annual temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide
concentrations • increased frequency of extreme weather events such as flooding and drought • altered distribution and survival of pests and weeds, which are likely to have a
significant impact on agricultural production in some regions • increased risk of heat stress for intensively housed animals.
These impacts could affect agricultural productivity, sustainability and economic returns. The Australian Government recognises that more knowledge is required about the adaptive capacity of Australian farming systems, the risks and opportunities associated with climate change, and physiological changes to plant and animal functions7
Recent weather patterns show higher than average rainfall in the catchment area that would supplement Australia’s ability to remain productive despite continuing droughts in other parts of the country.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology National Climate Centre Data
– Rainfall percentages for Queensland 1 – 29 January 2009
7 Australia Federal Government Department of Natural Resources and Environment – Department of Climate Change
One of Australia's environmental challenges involves the effective management of our natural resources (soil, water, plants, animals). Ensuring the ecologically sustainable management of natural resources is a critical issue if Australia is to maintain the health of our environment, conserve our land and biodiversity, and continue to be a major agricultural producer and exporter.
Unsustainable irrigation development is responsible for the over‐allocation of water in many river systems. Current irrigation practices tend to be inefficient, and consequently a large proportion of the water extracted for irrigation is wasted. New irrigation developments have the potential to introduce best practice irrigation management. The water saved by increased efficiencies can either be returned to the environment used to irrigate new areas and increase the productivity of a basin.8
According to the State of Environment Report 2006, the Australian Government is seeking to improve the forecasting of climate variability and to create opportunities that will enable agricultural industries to adapt to climate change. Modifying crop
8 Australia State of the Environment 2006 Independent report to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage Beeton RJS (Bob), Buckley Kristal I, Jones Gary J, Morgan Denise, Reichelt Russell E, Trewin Dennis (2006 Australian State of the Environment Committee), 2006
varieties or changing farm management practices are examples of how adapting to climate change can improve yield and crop value.9 The Northern Australia Irrigation Futures project is a National Program looking at Sustainable Irrigation to provide new knowledge, tools and processes to support debate and decision making regarding irrigation in northern Australia. Projects such as O’Connell Creek water Storage could contribute to scientific research and provide sound scientific data for informed choice of suitable models of the development across Northern Australia. 10 CONCLUSION In summary the Richmond Shire has been planning for the future growth of the Shire and is well prepared for managing the development of the off‐stream water storage facility. All the scientific and feasibility studies have been completed. The project will require investment by the government or private investor. At present the project requires a water licence from the State Government and Development grant from the Federal Government to proceed. Richmond’s pre‐feasibility study suggests the scheme warrants further consideration and should be investigated further.
8 Australia State of the Environment 2006 Independent report to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage Beeton RJS (Bob), Buckley Kristal I, Jones Gary J, Morgan Denise, Reichelt Russell E, Trewin Dennis (2006 Australian State of the Environment Committee), 2006 10 Savannah Linkages, Jan‐July 08, Issue 35, p. 7 Potential for northern grazing and agriculture’ Neil MacDonald and Robyn Cowley – Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines – examine some of the implications of the rapid shift in focus of Australian agriculture to towards the tropical north.
INDEX OF STUDIES: CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS Feb 2009 Release of North West Queensland Draft Regional Planning Scheme Nov 2008 Flinders River Water Development Forum ‐ Hughenden Oct 2008 Formation of North West Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy
(NWQRWSS) May 2008 Formation of Infrastructure Australia May 2008 National Congress Planning Institute of Australia Planning for Food Security,
Government News, May 2008, p.5 2008 Great Artesian Basin Co‐ordinating committee – Presentation Water Down
Under – The Great Artesian Basin Story July 2008 Savannah Linkages, Jan‐July 08, Issue 35, p. 7 Potential for northern grazing and
agriculture’ Neil MacDonald and Robyn Cowley – Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines – examine some of the implications of the rapid shift in focus of Australian agriculture to towards the tropical north
July 2008 Media Release – Murray Darling Basin – the Drought is getting worse July 2008 Murray Darling Basin Commission, Drought Update Issue no. 14, July 2008 May 2008 Media Release – Murray Darling Basin Jan 2008 Gulf Water Resource Plan – Consultation Report – unallocated water will be
made available to support irrigation projects based on water harvesting to off‐stream storages, rather than a large in‐stream impoundment.
Dec 2007 National Program for Sustainable Irrigation CDS23 – FINAL REPORT NORTHERN
AUSTRALIA IRRIGATION FUTURES Providing new knowledge, tools and processes to support debate and decision making regarding irrigation in northern Australia http://www.clw.csiro.au/naif/documents/2007/NAIF‐FinalReport2007.pdf
Nov 2007 Deputation to Community Cabinet Meeting, Cloncurry – Minister Craig Wallace,
Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Water. Sept 2007 Submission presented to Northern Australian Water and Land Development
Task Force at site inspection in Richmond. May 2007 Deputation with Chair Northern Australian Water and Land Development Task
Force – Office of Northern Australia
Feb 2007 Opposition calls for the State Government to provide irrigation for the area
between Hughenden and Richmond to ensure that there is economic development in that part of North Queensland that benefits North Queensland in its entirety.
2006 Australia State of the Environment 2006 Independent report to the Australian
Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage Beeton RJS (Bob), Buckley Kristal I, Jones Gary J, Morgan Denise, Reichelt Russell E, Trewin Dennis (2006 Australian State of the Environment Committee), 2006
June 2004 The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Getting Water Right(s) The
Future of rural Australia – Recommendation 20 ‐ the Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government urge the Council of Australian Governments to establish programs to investigate the development of irrigated agriculture in northern Australia as part of the National Water Initiative.
May 2004 Water Resource Planning – Gulf and Mitchell – Agricultural land and water
resource assessment report, May 2004 Aug 2003 Land Resource Assessment and Management Pty Ltd, P G Shields, Potential for
Irrigated Agriculture between Richmond and Maxwelton, North Queensland. June 2003 Proposal to prepare draft water resource plan, Department of Natural
Resources and Mines Nov 2002 Blueprint for a Living Continent – A Way forward from the Wentworth Group of
Concerned Scientists July 2002 North Queensland Water Development Round Table, 26 July 2002 – identifies
that Northern Queensland represents 44.4% of Australia’s resource – with 88.8% of it unused.
Sept 1999 Pre‐Feasibility Report – Flinders River Off‐stream Storage Scheme, Richmond –
Maunsell McIntyre – for the Department of Natural Resources April 1999 Water and the Australian Economy A joint study project of the Australian
Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Institute of Engineers, Australia
Undated Flinders River Dam Project – Development the Richmond Shire with Water,
Compiled by the North Queensland Economic Development Board for Maunsell McIntyre Pty Ltd and the Richmond Shire Council.