Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission [I] (1916 - 1949)

Summary

The Irrigation (Amendment) Act, 1916, (Act No.22 1916) which received assent on 20 April 1916, replaced the Commissioner for Water Conservation and Irrigation with the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission consisting of the Minister for Agriculture (Chairman) and two other Commissioners.

The work of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission included:
(a) River gauging, and the investigation of proposed water conservation and irrigation schemes;
(b) Construction, maintenance and control of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, the Coomealla Irrigation Area, the Hay Irrigation Area, and the Wentworth Irrigation Area;
(c) Overseeing water conservation works constructed by the State, but administered by Local Trusts;
(d) Construction and maintenance of water conservation works provided as National Works by the state;
(e) Control of artesian and shallow boring;
(f) Licensing of private works for stock and domestic water supply, irrigation, and other purposes:
(g) Provision of businesses such as abattoirs, agricultural nurseries, and supply stores;
(h) Provision of public utilities such as domestic water supply, electricity supply, a sanitary department, plus live stock for settlers;
(i) Managing Public Accommodation Houses until 1925;
(j) authorising granting leases including Irrigation Farm Leases, Irrigation Act Leases, Farm Land Leases, Permissive Occupancy Leases, Town Land Leases, Non-Irrigable Land Leases (also known as Dry Area Leases);
(k) organising land purchases and lease conversions to freehold title from 1924;
( l) Controlling and managing Soldier Settlement on Irrigation areas.

Related entries

Timeline

 1913 - 1916 Commissioner for Water Conservation and Irrigation
       1916 - 1949 Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission [I]