Answers to Australia’s water security

The ongoing issues around water security and supply in Australia make the Irrigation Australia 2008 Conference and Exhibition a must for anyone in irrigation in rural or urban communities.

“With the latest technology on display at the exhibition, it will showcase the best products to make sure that the national investment of $5.6 billion for water security can be effective. The conference will provide the forum for new ideas to be presented and discussed, and the workshops will offer the chance to take up developments in best practice,” said IAL CEO, Jolyon Burnett.

Speakers at the conference will address issues around the two key sectors of the irrigation industry — rural and urban irrigation. With the theme of Share the Benefits, Share the Water, the conference speakers and session presenters will also be sharing their knowledge and expertise. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been invited to open the conference.

“Our industry is one which can play an important role in water management and climate change, so we are hoping that Prime Minister Rudd will be able to attend and bring us up to date with the new government’s thinking on these issues,” said IAL chair, Stephen Mills.

There will be various streams running each day including:

• Improving on farm water management — systems and tools;
• Improving urban irrigation efficiency;
• Reuse and recycle;
• Water policy and reform;
• Technology to improve efficiency;
• Irrigated crops;
• Education and training.

Local presenters from research organisations, authorities and business will be joined by international speakers from Israel, Brazil and the US to present the latest thinking and technologies for rural and urban irrigation.

The program of half-day workshops is designed for those people who want to visit the exhibition and see what’s new, plus pick up some new skills at the same time from specialists.

The topics will include: drought case studies; subsurface drip on dairy; subsurface on turf; urban use of recycling water; centre pivot vs. drip; best-practice open-space irrigation; using soil moisture; retail/business skills; designers and specifiers.

Free half-day forums will give visitors the chance to hear from the experts and what others in the irrigation industry have to say about topical issues. The topics will include metering, groundwater and water restrictions — all issues where irrigators are vitally concerned about their management.

Over 3000 people are expected to attend the Irrigation Australia Exhibition at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 20–22 May, and around 300 Australian and overseas delegates are expected to gather for the concurrent Irrigation Australia conference.

For more information, visit www.irrigationaustralia.com.au.