For many farmers, access to a reliable water supply can make a significant difference to their day-to-day operations and long-term planning. In this case study, Willaura's Heather Fleming shares their experience and the impact the project has had on their property and business. 

Inverness Farm is a mixed cropping and livestock operation located six kilometres north of Willaura. We grow wheat, barley, canola and oats, and run a 2,500 flock of self replacing merinos.

My father-in-law came here a soldier settler after WW2, and my husband later took over. Both have passed away now, and the property is share-farmed.

Access to reliable good quality stock and spray water is critical for us, and effectively drought proofs our farm.

Prior to the GWM pipeline construction, we were struggling with dry seasons and the effects of climate change.  With less run off into dams and off sheds, we were having to reconsider how we structured our livestock and cropping enterprise.

Despite our budget, soil type and infrastructure setting us up well for a mix of livestock and cropping, we could not continue to be profitable if we had to buy and cart water.

For our sheep reach peak condition they need access to consistently good quality water. Struggling with low, muddy dams that could hold potentially dangerous bacteria, or drinking off salty bores, reduces their capacity to do well.

In addition, a significant amount of time and fuel was being spent carting water, and there was less flexibility for paddock management.

De-stocking and losing nearly eighty years of breeding was not a solution we wanted to resort to.

Good quality water is also needed for spraying, and having ready access to this from storage tanks on various parts of the farm is a significant advantage to our cropping program.

Our farming future is far more secure now. Thanks to the new pipeline, we can confidently plan for and achieve a high level of production, thus creating a successful operation that makes the most of our skills, modern technology and the land we farm.