Backwash March 2015 - Irrigation Australia

From The CEO
Training
As part of IAL’s commitment to developing the skill base of the industry, we have launched our new
Pumps course and industry demand has been overwhelming. Our first two courses, in Brisbane and
Sydney, were sold out quickly, and we have programmed a second course in each location. Our
Melbourne course is almost fully booked out and, once it is, we will also schedule a second course. We
are now working with our WA members to bring the pumps course to WA as well.
The Pumps course is another plank in our comprehensive training and development program for the
industry. IAL works with industry stakeholders to bring new training and development opportunities to the
irrigation industry. We always welcome suggestions for new topics, so if you believe there is a training
need that is not being met, please let us know email [email protected].
IAL 2015 Regional Conference May 26 to May 28: program released
IAL has just released its exciting program for its 2015 Regional Conference. The program is sure to
challenge delegates and create vigorous debate. Conference topics have been selected to educate and
to stimulate thought and discussion, and the plenary subjects will examine current and emerging critical
issues facing our industry. We are now finalising the conference tours, which will run on the Friday after
the end of the conference. The keynote speaker has not been announced in the program but we have
secured a fascinating and highly regarded personality. We will be making a separate announcement on
who they are in the near future.
The conference location, at Penrith Panthers entertainment complex at Sydney’s western gateway, will
allow delegates plenty of time to meet others in the industry, to catch up and share ideas, and to act as a
base to explore the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions.
As with all IAL conferences, IAL has provided discounts for IAL members who wish to attend the
conference. To register as a conference delegate AND receive an early-bird delegate rate, simply
complete the registration form here.
Coalition to Legislate Water Buyback Cap
The Coalition Government have announced that they will bring forward legislation to cap buybacks to
1500 GL as part of the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, as promised by the Prime
Minister in November 2012. Full article
Have your say- HIA Consultation Paper
HIA have opened submissions after releasing a consultation paper Determining the Strategic Investment
Priorities for the Australian Horticulture Industry. As this paper is of critical importance to the irrigation
industry, IAL will be making a submission. If you would like your view to be included in the IAL
submission, contact IAL [email protected] ASAP, or send your own submission direct to
[email protected]. Submissions must be received by the end of March.
IAL Professional Development
Irrigation Pumps Course
February and March courses SOLD OUT. There are a FEW spots still available for 14 and 15 April at
Dandenong, Victoria. Course scheduled for 1 and 2 July in Brisbane. The course covers national
competency AHCIRG410A – Select and Manage Pumping Systems for Irrigation. Topics include:
irrigation and pumping system requirements, hydraulics of irrigation systems including friction
calculations, understanding pump curves and pump selection. For information and to register go to the
IAL website or contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), email.
We have some reviews of our Irrigation Pumps course from students in Brisbane and Sydney. Click on
the link to view: Irrigation Pumps Workshop review Brisbane
Irrigation Pumps Workshop review Sydney
Irrigation Pumps Workshop group photo Sydney
Refresher Course Meter Validation and Installation. Register for the NEW 1-day refresher course for the
very popular Meter Validation and Installation course. This course is intended for participants who are
either currently certified but have not been active enough in the field to gain renewal points, or for those
simply wishing to refresh their knowledge of progress in this aspect of the industry. To find out more visit
website.
In 2015 IAL are offering a variety of courses such as:
Irrigation Efficiency Course
Irrigation Hydraulics Workshop
Irrigation Performance Evaluation Course
Evapotranspiration Masterclass
Applied Energy Efficiency
To see a full list of courses, for more information or to register go to the IAL website or contact Jodie
Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), or email.
Courses for 2015
The courses below are being scheduled for 2015.
Irrigation Efficiency Course
This course trains people who are involved in operating or managing irrigation systems to evaluate their
systems for efficiency, adjust irrigation schedules if necessary, conduct basic troubleshooting on systems
and know when to get expert help. The course provides training for three units of competency from the
Certificate III in Irrigation: AHCIRG306A – Troubleshoot irrigation systems, AHCIRG303A – Measure
irrigation delivery system performance, and AHCIRG305A – Operate pressurised irrigation systems.
Dates being developed for 2015. Download an application form from the IAL website. For general
inquiries, phone 1300 949 891 (free call) or send an email to IAL.
Irrigation Hydraulics Workshop
This 2½-day course is designed for people wanting to determine hydraulic parameters for irrigation
systems. Topics include plant- crop water requirements, static and dynamic pressure, hydraulics of
irrigation systems and pump selection and sizing. For information and to register your interest in attending
a course contact Tracy Martin, phone 08 9474 9089, email or go to the IAL website.
Irrigation Performance Evaluation Course
This 2-day course is designed for people involved in operating or managing landscape irrigation systems
to evaluate them for efficiency, adjust irrigation schedules if necessary, conduct basic maintenance on
equipment and know when to get expert help. For information and to register your interest in attending a
course contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free call), email or go to the IAL website.
Evapotranspiration Masterclass
This two-day masterclass gives participants a better understanding of the concepts, theories and latest
research on evapotranspiration (ET) and insights into the most up-to-date methods for estimating crop
water requirements. The course includes instructions on how to access and use freely available Landsat
images to estimate how much water a crop is using and to assist with irrigation scheduling. For
information and to register your interest in attending contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free
call), email or go to the IAL website.
Applied Energy Efficiency
This 2-day course helps participants understand the various energy efficiency opportunities available, as
well as prepare them to build the business case to drive initiatives and deliver benefits to businesses, e.g.
power bill savings. It is based on one of the 12 accredited units which make up the Certificate IV in
Carbon Management – CTICM303A – Evaluate Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy Options. For
information and to register go to the IAL website or contact Jodie Porter, phone 1300 949 891 (free
call), or email.
To see all the courses that IAL have planned for 2015– please visit the IAL website.
Other Courses and Events
Diploma of Irrigation Management
Enrol now! River Murray Training is offering online training for the Diploma of Irrigation Management. For
information contact River Murray Training. r-m-t.com.au
Advanced Pumping and Hydraulics
Suited to irrigation engineers, designers, managers, operators and contractors, especially those planning
irrigation system upgrades. To register go to the RMT website.
Groundwater Training
The Sustainable Resources Industry Training has a comprehensive schedule of groundwater training
activities for 2015. For information go the SRIT website. srit.com.au
PROwater Irrigation Series
NSW Department of Primary Industries runs a series of short courses on irrigation topics. For information
go to the DPI website and scroll down to the PROwater courses. Dpi.nsw.gov.au
ICE WaRM
Short courses of 1-3 days are offered and include hydrology and hydraulics basic, groundwater
essentials, adapting to climate change, water essentials, and surface-groundwater interactions. Go to
the website for a full list of courses. Icewarm.com.au/short-courses/pid=240
Irrigation Australia journal – articles wanted
The Winter edition of Irrigation Australia journal (link http://irrigation.org.au/publicationsresources/irrigation-australia-journal) will be published early and May and distributed at IAL’s Regional
Conference. This is a great opportunity to showcase your technical expertise by writing a technical article
for the editorial feature, Irrigation in the peri urban environment, or a general article. Contact Anne Currey
email ([email protected]) to find out more. To find out about advertising in the journal or
in the irrigation project showcase advertising feature, contact advertising manager Brian Rault, email
[email protected]
Regional News
Find out about your local regional committee: North Queensland, South-East Queensland, Darling
Downs, North-West NSW, Sydney, Central and Far West NSW, Melbourne and Southern Victoria, South
Australia, and Western Australia.
Job Spot
Exploring new challenges in the irrigation industry or a change of workplace? Or are you an employer
looking to hire a staff member? You can take advantage of the business and job opportunities page on
the IAL website to list your position or business for sale, check out people looking for work or see what
jobs are available. Employers can list positions vacant, free of charge. Just download the form from the
IAL website, fill it in and email it to IAL. We do the rest.
Industry Tenders
Check out our social media pages for latest industry tenders.
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/irrigationaustralia
Twitter- https://twitter.com/IrrigationAus
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/irrigation-australialimited?trk=nav_account_sub_nav_company_admin
Share Your News
Share your latest news about new products major awards or community initiatives with the IAL social
media community. Send a link to Jodie email at the IAL office and she will make sure it is uploaded to the
IAL social media pages.
New free Member Service
Good irrigation managers know that evapotranspiration data is key to planning and for reporting on recent
water use. iWater is an irrigator friendly source of daily ET data available for any location in Australia. The
data is delivered each morning by email and for IAL members is free! Signup on this link now.
IAL’s Members Spotlight
IAL Supporting Partner