Community bore a solution
From the November 2007 edition of Agriculture Today.
The drought has taught many people the true value of water on farms. Three years ago, low water levels in the Lachlan River meant many producers in the Jemalong Irrigation District were faced with destocking.
One affected family was the French family of Manna Station at Corinella.
Until early 2004, Stuart and Louise French and their three children - Charlie, 14; Sofie, 12, and James, 10 - ran a self-replacing Hereford herd on their 4000 hectare property.
"At the beginning of 2004 we decided to de-stock due to the lack of water available for our cattle. We sold everything," Stuart said.
"Historically, we relied on channel delivery of our stock water, as well as irrigation water, but the severe shortage of irrigation water throughout 2003 diminished Jemalong’s ability to deliver stock and domestic water.
"Faced with the prospect of insecure water for basics such as watering stock, after enjoying such reliable supply, we started talking about the prospect of using groundwater."
The Frenches searched unsuccessfully for suitable groundwater for some time. Nine properties nearby were in the same situation, and together they sought help from Jemalong Irrigation.
Seed funding of $250,000 for this and other projects in the district enabled the ten properties near Manna Station to band together and put down a community bore.
"Our scheme, the Manna Road Water Supply Association Incorporated, is self funded, and was designed by Department of Natural Resources engineers so that our system specifications matched our water requirements during peak times," Stuart said.
"There are 35 kilometres of poly pipe in the main transmission part of the system, which does not include the pipe on individual properties.
"It’s been a large but successful project."
Stuart chairs the scheme, which supplies water to all 10 properties. It has guaranteed landholders in the area a reliable and efficient supply of water for stock and homesteads.
The Frenches have now restocked and are running a Hereford/Angus crossbreeding program, but Stuart emphasises that the impact of de-stocking is still being felt.
Jemalong Irrigation Limited delivers around 2000 megalitres for stock and domestic water to 150 properties to the west and south of Forbes.
Contact your DPI livestock officer for information on stock water.
