Joint media release: Sunraysia swep-t off its feet by a wave of water investment

Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek
VIC Minister for Housing, Water and Equality, Harriet Shing

The government today announced the completion of the Sunraysia Water Efficiency Project (or SWEP) which has modernised a large part of the irrigation district and delivered a range of local community benefits including water savings for the environment, Traditional Owners and the wider Mallee area.

Minister for Water Harriet Shing visited Nichols Point Public School in Mildura to see how an underground pipeline has replaced an open channel to improve safety and connect the school to the local sports oval. 

The $20 million project, fully funded by the Australian Government through the Off-farm Efficiency Program, will return 1.8 gigalitres to the rivers to count towards the Murray–Darling Basin Plan’s 450 gigalitre target.

The project has upgraded 27 km of channels and over 450 customer meters to save more than 1.8 gigalitres of water annually, the equivalent of over 700 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Shortlisted for two industry awards, the project demonstrates how combining modern infrastructure with community-focused solutions can provide benefits beyond those measured in gigalitres.

Following a 2-year program of works, spanning over three irrigation districts, SWEP is now complete. In 2024, the project delivered a significant $20 million package of works over a compressed four-month period, this achievement relied on more than 40,000 customer and community interactions to minimise disruption. 

At its peak, the project has supported more than 100 full-time jobs and contributed to the upskilling of regional contractor capability.

Lower Murray Water also worked with community to create a local art initiative that saw more than 30 of the old Dethridge wheels removed as part of the project installed across the region, retaining a connection to Sunraysia’s irrigation heritage.

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Water Harriet Shing:

“The Sunraysia region is one of Australia’s major horticultural districts and local producers depend heavily on a reliable and efficient irrigation system.”

“The prioritisation of customers and the community on this project was really evident, well-done to everyone involved.” 

“Beyond the water savings and community benefits, this project has also helped uplift the capability of contractors in the region through challenging and meaningful work”.

Quotes attributable to Australian Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“Projects like this one in Sunraysia are a win-win – they make irrigation more efficient for farmers, improve amenity for communities and deliver much needed water back to the environment.

“Recovering the 450 gigalitre target is critical to full implementation of the Basin Plan so we can return the rivers to health in the face of a drying climate.

“Our new Resilient Rivers Infrastructure Program enables investment in on-farm, off-farm, urban and industrial water infrastructure that can generate water savings for the environment.”

Quotes attributable to SWEP Project Director, Daniel Freitag:

“It has been fantastic to be involved in a project delivered by locals for the long-term benefit of irrigators across Sunraysia. The pride and commitment of the SWEP team has been evident from day one, and shows in the outcomes we’ve achieved.”