Defining Moments in Australian History: Large scale irrigation begins
, 2022-12-14 18:34:09,
December 15, 2022
The workers at this camp surveyed irrigation channels and towns for the Chaffey brothers, for the impending expansion of Mildura.
Image credit: courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW
1887: The Murray River’s resources are tapped.
In 1884, after debilitating droughts, the Victorian government began investigating large-scale irrigation.
Future prime minister Alfred Deakin was appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission on Water Supply and travelled overseas to research existing irrigation systems.
On an 1885 trip to western USA he met the Chaffey brothers, Canadian entrepreneurs who’d created an “irrigation colony” on the Cucamonga Plains near Los Angeles. Enticed by Deakin’s Australian irrigation potential, George Chaffey travelled to Melbourne in February 1886.
He explored the Murray River valley and recognised its potential. Deakin, who believed irrigation was the key to Australia’s agricultural future, assured him the government would make 250,000 acres (1012sq.km) available for sale to the brothers.
George contacted his brother, William, and convinced him to sell their US interests and join him in Australia. George then chose a derelict Mildura sheep station as the centre of their first irrigation settlement.
In October the brothers signed a deal with the Victorian government, guaranteeing…
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