The irrigation energy audit identified a number of initiative that would save about $110,000 over 10 years. These included replacing oversized pumps, and adding Variable Speed Drives where the changing elevation of the Centre Pivots caused variable head pressure. The audit also identified $600 in annual savings through tariff review. Emission savings have been estimated to be 47 t CO2-e.
The farm is a large sugar cane producer located in the Childers area with land holdings comprising 30 farms. Water is sourced primarily from the SunWater Scheme, with a small amount of water supplied from the four dams located in low-lying areas of the subject properties.
The main crop irrigation period is from September to April where irrigation mostly operates overnight, from 12 to 20 hours a day.
The owner has not yet started implementation of the recommendations due to recent activities associated with crop diversification to macadamias. Timing to implement the short-term recommendations is subject to completion of the planting phase of the crop diversification.