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 14 May 2023.

Water supply will be restored by approximately 11.59pm on Friday 19 May 2023.

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.

Renmark Irrigation Trust was the Council responsible for rebuilding the irrigation settlement in Renmark after the 1956 Flood. It was a momentous task. The costs involved in reconstructing roads, relocating flood levees, rebuilding and reconnecting irrigation channels and blocks were overwhelming.

A panel of Renmark residents spoke on 3 May 2023 at Renmark Paringa Library about their memories of RIT’s role in the reconstruction, and how families rebuilt their lives.  

Panel: Max Burr – Clack John – Ian Tolley

More information about the event can be found here

A video of the event can be found here

The recent flood in the Murray Darling Basin has meant that the River Murray storages are at very high levels. They are at 89 per cent capacity, which is 50 per cent above the long-term average for the end of March.

There has also been a boost to the water which has been available for the environment. Some floodplains have received water for the first time since the 1956 flood.

These factors mean that River Murray irrigators will be able to access 100 percent of their allocation in 2023-24

The Trust office will be closed for Easter from 5pm today, 6 April until 8.30am Tuesday 11 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

Work is being carried out over the Summer to install batteries in the area adjacent to the office at the Main Pump Station.

The batteries will improve the stability and reliability of the electricity supply grid in the local area, and provide an additional income stream to RIT.

RIT is working in partnership with Enel-X on the project.

Greenwood Solutions have been engaged to do the installation work.

Have a look at progress so far!

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7036918909085618176

This news item from SA Power Networks updates information which we posted on 23 January

SA Power Networks’ has recently published a fact sheet which details the steps for customers to take to have their power supply reconnected.

Please click here for the ‘SA Power Networks – Reconnecting Power after Flooding Fact Sheet’ as well as further information about the process involved in restoring power.

The high waters have brought an unwanted guest downstream—a class 1 noxious species of fish called the oriental weatherloach.  These small creatures have been causing havoc in upstream irrigation systems (first 2 left photos) and are now being found in our pipeline network, grower’s filters and domestic meters (third right photo). We have been advised their numbers will reduce as the water recedes. Please maintain your filters regularly.

The above 2 photos on the left are courtesy of Western Murray Irrigation, the third photo on the right is courtesy of RIT field staff.

Further details can be found on the PIRSA website:

https://pir.sa.gov.au/recreational_fishing/rules/species_limits/pest_profile/oriental_weatherloach

SA Power Networks has a dedicated website for customers who have lost power during the River Murray Floods.

The main points are:

If the property has been damaged/inundated the owner will need to contact an electrician to obtain a certificate of compliance and contact their retailer to raise a service request so that SA Power Networks can then reconnect electricity supply. Right now, if they haven’t already done so, customers should:

1. Keep up to date with SASES alerts and warnings
2. Visit sa.gov.au/floods for the latest information, including registering for a clean-up/structural assessment
3. Register for SA Power Networks’ free SMS/Email notification service
4. Look at the factsheet (power reconnection process overview) published by SA Power Networks

There will also be a pop up hub on the river front next to the Renmark Club on 31 January where you can ask any questions regarding the reconnection of power.

If you have been impacted by the high river event, government support is available. Visit the below link for more information.

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/emergencies-and-safety/river-murray-flood/financial-assistance

The Members, Board and Staff of the Renmark Irrigation Trust were saddened by the recent passing of Don Tripney.

Don began working for the Trust on 8 February 1954 as a trainee channelman in the days when channelmen were an important link between the Trust and Irrigators. In 1955 Don was offered a vacancy on the clerical staff and began working as a rates clerk.

One of his jobs in the 1956 flood was to monitor what was happening in the Trust basement. One Friday night he noticed that there were cracks in the floor and damp patches so he was told to shift documents to a higher level. There was about a metre of water in the basement which soaked up the walls. Unfortunately, the documents were leaning against the wall and became water logged.

With the recent high waters, staff were once again on basement watch but this time all documents were moved offsite.

In 1966 Don was appointed secretary of the Trust and in 1983 he was appointed as the first secretary manager. Don retired from the Trust on 7 July 1990. Don continued to be invaluable to the Trust following his retirement and was always happy to share his knowledge and stories.

We were pleased to see Don in early December to celebrate the Main Pumping Station’s 50th birthday. He thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the afternoon tea!