Please be aware that recent environmental flushes of the lower Darling River to help clear blue-green algae are now reaching Renmark. We have noticed a decrease in river water quality in the last day or two. The algae can cause water discolouration and has an unpleasant odour.
The effect on water quality is likely to last a few weeks.
For more detail please see the DEW Flow reports
There are significant changes to water trading and trasnfer regulations, which will be implemented from 1 July 2024 under the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023. These changes affect how water transfer application forms are managed.These obligations apply to owners (sellers) and recipients (buyers) of eligible tradeable water rights, as well as any intermediaries facilitating the trade.
Your obligations are outlined below:
While the Trust will do its best to ensure forms are completed correctly, the legal responsibility lies with the person who completes the form. Unfortunately, penalties may apply for any errors or omissions. The Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC) will oversee enforcement of these new requirements, including conducting audits and issuing penalties for non-compliance.
These changes are part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing the integrity and transparency of Murray–Darling Basin water markets, following recommendations from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry.
For further details, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
RIT hosted a panel event on May 29 about the Channels to Pipes program which the Trust undertook from 1968-1977. This event is part of the SA History Trust, History Festival, which is an annual festival that highlights local history and important events in the history of South Australia.
The event was held at the Renmark Paringa Council library and was well supported.
The panel, Ray Najar, Phil Sims and Robert Tucker, spoke about the program and how it affected their lives and the Renmark community more broadly. The program was ground-breaking and resulted in an increased pumping efficiency far in excess of expectations.
The insights of the panel were supported by a display of maps and photos which bought the program to life.
A video of the event can be found here
More information including a slideshow, a 1970s 16mm film, and some background information can be found here
All irrigators and other customers of the Renmark Irrigation Trust are advised that the Trust will cease pumping water at the Main Pumping Station at 9pm on Sunday 12 May 2024.
Water supply will be restored by approximately 11.59pm on Friday 17 May 2024.
The annual shutdown enables planned preventative maintenance and other works which cannot be carried out while normal pumping is in progress.
Domestic and industrial water users should maintain storage capable of holding up to 7 days water supply at all times.
We wish to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of men and women who have served our country in all theatres of war.
This year we are highlighting Harry Katekar’s service in WWII. H.J (Harry) Katekar was on the RIT Board from 1957-1972. He was the son of Charles Katekar MBE who was the chairman of the Board from 1925-1945.
Harry was born in 1914 in Renmark, and graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1937. He enlisted in the SA 2/27 Infantry Battalion in May 1940 as a private, but due to his education was offered a commission and promoted to Lieutenant.
Harry fought in Syria and New Guinea. A pivotal battle for Harry and his battalion took place on the slopes of Mission Ridge in Central New Guinea, on the days after September 7, 1942. The Japanese had outflanked the Australians who were also outnumbered. Japanese snipers were effective and many Australians died or were wounded in the ensuing days. Harry went on to fight in the battle of Gona in New Guinea in December 1942.
After the war, Harry Katekar was Chairman of the Renmark Flood Emergency Committee, which had responsibility for defending and/or evacuating the town if the flood waters rose significantly in July-August 1956.
Harry conducted two interviews which are available on the Australian War Memorial website – Rob Linn in 1990 and Peter Brune in c.2009.
Rob Linn interview and transcript
Peter Brune interview
*Photo from the Kokoda Historical webpage which includes a detailed account of Harry Katekar’s war service
https://kokodahistorical.com.au/diggers-stories/captain-harry-katekar-m-i-d
The Trust Office will be closed from 5pm Wednesday 24 April and will reopen at 8.30am on Monday 29 April.
For any emergencies with your water delivery please ring 8586 6050
While the office is closed, water orders will be taken over the phone between 8.30 and 10.30am each day. Please phone 8586 6050
A South Australian assistance guide for grape growers and winemakers has been developed by PIRSA in partnership with the Wine Grape Council of South Australia (WGCSA) and the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA). The guide includes information about business and financial support services, industry programs and technical advice, legal services, health and wellbeing services and support, and helplines.
FARM HOUSEHOLD ALLOWANCE
Farm Household Allowance (FHA) is for farmers and their partners who are experiencing financial hardship. There are conditions attached to claiming FHA.
Call 1300 771 741 or https://www.ruralbusinesssupport.org.au/what-we-do/rfcs/
Councillors from Rural Business Support are also available for free, independent and confidential advice. Please ring 1800 836 211 for more information.
The Government of South Australia in partnership with the Australian Government is providing a rebate of up to 25 per cent (to a maximum of $25,000 – GST exclusive) to primary producers for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of new on-farm water infrastructure, or to repair or replace damaged infrastructure for livestock and permanent horticulture that assists primary producers to be more resilient for future droughts by protecting high value horticultural assets.
You must have purchased and installed new eligible water infrastructure, or repaired or replaced damaged water infrastructure for existing permanent horticultural plantings on or after 1 July 2019.
Applications close 30 April 2024 or when funding for this round is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Click the link here to find out more.
The Trust office will be closed for Easter from 5pm 28 March until 8.30am Tuesday 2 April.
For emergencies please ring (08) 8586 6050
Water orders are available between 8.30am and 10.30am. Please ring (08) 8586 6050
Have a safe and happy Easter
We have farewelled two long serving RIT staff members in November and December this year.
Dion Heuzenroeder, Technical Services Manager, left in November after 14 years with the Trust. Dion was responsible for IT services and supported the IT needs of the Trust staff, Board members and the wider RIT community. Dion was a friendly face when computers did things we didn’t expect them to do!
We wish Dion all the best for the future.
Stella Reinertsen retired in December after 28 years with the Trust. Stella was the front face of the Trust, working in an administration role to support members and Trust staff. Stella emigrated from Europe as a child with her family after World War II and was a blockie’s daughter. She had a special bond with many of our immigrant members, and was always caring and respectful.
We wish Stella all the best for her well deserved retirement.