ROMANCE OF WATER

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 15

ROMANCE OF WATER

IRRIGATION IN VICTORIA

HUGE STORAGE SYSTEM

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, April 20. Tho story of' irrigation in Victoria might well bo described as the romance of water. The area, of country lands in that State now artificially supplied with water for domestic use, for watering, stock, and for .irrigation totals Zym square miles—or 15,000,000 acres —more than one-fourth of the total area of the State. At the time of the great drought in 1902, which, so clearly demonstrated tho necessity for water conservation, the total capacity 'of storages was only ; 172,000 - aero, feet. The Water Supply Commission has brought that total to 1,351,860 acre feet, and when all tho works in progress are completed the total, will be 2,309,770 acre feet. Irrigation districts now total 1,140,991 acres, having an irrigable area of G59,210 acres. Others in progress of development have a total area oi 560,000 acres, making a grand total, including Mildura, of. 1,707,000 acres, with 5152 miles of irrigation channels. There were in 1907 103,170 acres of land under irrigated culture .in Victoria. This has how been increased more than four-fold ■to ■ 418,415 acres. The maximum' area, irrigated in the dry season of 1929-30 was 566,477 acres. The Wimmera-Mallee scheme, the largest, of its kind in the world, involves 7757 miles' of channel reticulation, .and carries water to settlers in dry districts as far as 300 miles. The rural population .of Victoria averages six persons to the square. mile, and it is significant that in -.recent years progress has been- 'confined .to those districts; -that, h'avo ' tho. benefit of the irrigation scheme. It is: "a. striking, fact that", in the Irrigated'areas the population is 40 persons to tho square mile. In the intensely cultivated areas, devoted to vine and citrus culture, the average is more than 300 people, to tho square miles. An enormous capital, is sunk in the various' irrigation schemes in New South Wales ■and Victoria, but it is safe to say that the courageous policy .that .has1 been followed is justified by results, There are1 many acres that would be barren tpday were it not for- the foresight of! previous Governments in laying down, comprehensive schemes whereby the water is preserved an.d taken to the parched areas. • • , '.