Long Flat river settlement view of swampland allotments from high land, South Australia
THE RIVER SETTLEMENTS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The reclamation and irrigation of swamp lands near the mouth of the Murray was begun as far back as 1881 by Sir William Jervois, the then Governor of South Australia, whose example was followed by several private land owners: the irrigation of gardens from the Torrens and from springs in the Adelaide hills had been practised from the early days of the province.
But community irrigation owes its origin in South Australia to the enterprise of Messrs George and W B Chaffey, who founded the Renmark settlement in 1887-88. At the end of 1893 the Renmark Irrigation Trust No 1 was formed under an Act which contemplated the formation of a number of such trusts
STATE IRRIGATION
A state irrigation policy was inaugurated in 1904, when the first public work of swamp reclamation was begun near Murray Bridge, the work being undertaken by the Surveyor General. under an Act which contemplated the formation of a number of such trusts.
In August 1910 the control of these reclamation and irrigation works was handed over to the newly formed Irrigation Department under the directorship of Mr S McIntosh, who had been appointed Irrigation Expert for the Village Settlements in 1895. The subsequent work of irrigation development has been carried out by this Department, which in 1923 gave place to the present Irrigation Commission, formed on the model of the Victorian State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.
After 1914 almost the whole of the Department's activities were devoted to the preparation of land for soldier settlement, in conjunction with the Repatriation Department. The Commission has much wider powers than were vested in the Department and has sole control of repatriation work in the irrigation areas.
Soldier settlement blocks are for the most part of 15 acres or thereabouts. In most areas the irrigable land is supplemented by small blocks of high land for dry farming.
The Commission assists settlers by clearing, grading and fencing, constructing channels and tanks, subject to a deposit of 15 pc of the estimated costs. Land for soldier settlement has for the most part been also partially planted, generally 10 out of 15 acres. Houses are provided for soldier settlers. For general settlement cash advances for further requirements may be made, the total as expended or advanced not to exceed £600 or £30 per acre. This mortgage loan money is repayable, with interest at current rate, in 70 equal half-yearly instalments commencing after five years. For the five-year period interest only is payable. Lessees may contract with the Commission for their own improvements.
IMPORTANCE TO SA
Owing to the limited area of land in South Australia suitable for agricultural settlements (83.6 per cent of the State having an average rainfall of less than ten inches), the development of its irrigation resources is of prime importance.
IRRIGATlON AND RECLAIMED SWAMP AREAS BELOW MORGAN
Developed: 5,800 acres; 241 settlers (including 56 soldier settlers). 7,900 acres ready for allotment and in course of preparation for 360 settlers. Attached to some of the swamp lands and included in the above figures are areas of irrigable high land. Pumping plants of 2,000 BHP capacity of five million gallons an hour.
The reclaimed swamp and irrigated areas below Morgan extend along the river for 20 miles above and below Murray Bridge. Adjoining and below the Bridge are Mobilong and Burdett, Long Flat and Monteith Flat, and Swanport areas, with 2,108 acres and 108 settlers. In course of development are Jervois, Wood's Point and Wellington areas containing 4,087 acres of reclaimed land, destined for 150 settlers (portion of it since allotted).
Above the Bridge are the Mypolonga, Pompoota, Wall, Neeta and Cowirra areas, with 6,164 acres of irrigable and reclaimed land allotted to 133 settlers and blocks ready for 109 settlers. In course of development is the Base-by area with 528 acres to be reclaimed for 26 settlers. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 16-10-1925]
Long Flat river settlement view of swampland allotments from high land, South Australia
THE RIVER SETTLEMENTS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The reclamation and irrigation of swamp lands near the mouth of the Murray was begun as far back as 1881 by Sir William Jervois, the then Governor of South Australia, whose example was followed by several private land owners: the irrigation of gardens from the Torrens and from springs in the Adelaide hills had been practised from the early days of the province.
But community irrigation owes its origin in South Australia to the enterprise of Messrs George and W B Chaffey, who founded the Renmark settlement in 1887-88. At the end of 1893 the Renmark Irrigation Trust No 1 was formed under an Act which contemplated the formation of a number of such trusts
STATE IRRIGATION
A state irrigation policy was inaugurated in 1904, when the first public work of swamp reclamation was begun near Murray Bridge, the work being undertaken by the Surveyor General. under an Act which contemplated the formation of a number of such trusts.
In August 1910 the control of these reclamation and irrigation works was handed over to the newly formed Irrigation Department under the directorship of Mr S McIntosh, who had been appointed Irrigation Expert for the Village Settlements in 1895. The subsequent work of irrigation development has been carried out by this Department, which in 1923 gave place to the present Irrigation Commission, formed on the model of the Victorian State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.
After 1914 almost the whole of the Department's activities were devoted to the preparation of land for soldier settlement, in conjunction with the Repatriation Department. The Commission has much wider powers than were vested in the Department and has sole control of repatriation work in the irrigation areas.
Soldier settlement blocks are for the most part of 15 acres or thereabouts. In most areas the irrigable land is supplemented by small blocks of high land for dry farming.
The Commission assists settlers by clearing, grading and fencing, constructing channels and tanks, subject to a deposit of 15 pc of the estimated costs. Land for soldier settlement has for the most part been also partially planted, generally 10 out of 15 acres. Houses are provided for soldier settlers. For general settlement cash advances for further requirements may be made, the total as expended or advanced not to exceed £600 or £30 per acre. This mortgage loan money is repayable, with interest at current rate, in 70 equal half-yearly instalments commencing after five years. For the five-year period interest only is payable. Lessees may contract with the Commission for their own improvements.
IMPORTANCE TO SA
Owing to the limited area of land in South Australia suitable for agricultural settlements (83.6 per cent of the State having an average rainfall of less than ten inches), the development of its irrigation resources is of prime importance.
IRRIGATlON AND RECLAIMED SWAMP AREAS BELOW MORGAN
Developed: 5,800 acres; 241 settlers (including 56 soldier settlers). 7,900 acres ready for allotment and in course of preparation for 360 settlers. Attached to some of the swamp lands and included in the above figures are areas of irrigable high land. Pumping plants of 2,000 BHP capacity of five million gallons an hour.
The reclaimed swamp and irrigated areas below Morgan extend along the river for 20 miles above and below Murray Bridge. Adjoining and below the Bridge are Mobilong and Burdett, Long Flat and Monteith Flat, and Swanport areas, with 2,108 acres and 108 settlers. In course of development are Jervois, Wood's Point and Wellington areas containing 4,087 acres of reclaimed land, destined for 150 settlers (portion of it since allotted).
Above the Bridge are the Mypolonga, Pompoota, Wall, Neeta and Cowirra areas, with 6,164 acres of irrigable and reclaimed land allotted to 133 settlers and blocks ready for 109 settlers. In course of development is the Base-by area with 528 acres to be reclaimed for 26 settlers. [Ref: Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark) 16-10-1925]