Context Setting

C. Petheram, P. Jolly and S. J. Tickell
NAIF, NRETA; CSIRO
This study examined three prominent, well researched irrigation schemes across northern Australia. The three schemes selected were the Lower Burdekin (LB), the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) and the Katherine Douglas Daly Area (KDA). These three were chosen from the 11 major irrigation schemes currently operating in northern Australia because collectively they capture much of the potential variability in tropical irrigation schemes; the LB, is a mature, conjunctive use scheme, the ORIA is a surface water scheme of moderate maturity and the KDA is an immature, groundwater based scheme. Numerous investigations and reviews have been undertaken on these three schemes and volumes of literature exist. The aim of the work is to collectively evaluate these three very different irrigation schemes and thereby identify and highlight key learnings from past and present irrigation in the north. Implications for future design and management will then be discussed. The information will be presented in a non-technical format that will help facilitate its transfer to all stakeholders and the wider community. http://www.clw.csiro.au/publications/science/2008/sr19-08.pdf