What happens when you bring machine learning, detailed imaging and collaborative problem-solving to the challenge of creating a stable water supply for rural communities?
Murray Irrigation Limited operates Australia’s largest private water supply network, serving more than 740,000 hectares of farmland and supporting significant food and fibre production with irrigation. The system also supplies town water to residents of Berrigan, Finley, Wakool and Bunnaloo in New South Wales. Irrigation underpins the security of Deniliquin’s town water supply and directly supports a regional population of 25,000, so ensuring its continued stability and resilience for these communities is essential.
Murray Irrigation Limited engaged Beca to provide a holistic asset review of their vast portfolio, covering approximately 4,000 kilometres of earthen irrigation channels and 17,000 civil structures, including bridges, culverts, offtakes, outlets and regulators.
The challenge set by Murray Irrigation was to deliver an Innovative yet comprehensive assessment of the critical assets. The approach required collaboration between the two organisations to ensure that the project delivered a balance of detail, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness.
The Murray Irrigation Foundational Asset Condition Assessment Project today stands as a testament to what’s possible when technical innovation meets genuine partnership. The agreed approach to this challenge was anchored in advanced machine learning, high-fidelity aerial imagery, and collaborative problem-solving to deliver transformative outcomes for Murray Irrigation by providing a comprehensive picture of their assets and a new database to build on over time. This novel strategy has resulted in a clearer understanding of their vast assets, stronger corporate partnerships, greater stakeholder awareness, improved asset management, and better-informed decision-making and investments.
Ingenuity in action: Machine learning and aerial insights
“We adopted a novel approach to leverage machine learning, aerial imagery and bathymetric data in order to provide a comprehensive, expedient and cost-effective asset assessment,” explains Alby Lombard, Capability & Operations Manager – Defence, Infrastructure & Advisory.
The collaborative approach involved:
- Using fixed-wing aerial imagery for high-fidelity data capture (1.9–2.5cm GSD (Ground Sample Distance), far surpassing standard satellite imagery)
- Developing four separate machine learning modules to rapidly assess linear assets for defects such as slumping, weeds, nuisance trees, and erosion
- Implementing a staged, risk-based approach for discrete asset assessment, supported by a custom GIS platform for efficient review and condition assessment
Image: Beca
“We used high-quality aerial-captured 3D photogrammetry as well as bathymetry and LiDAR data to build full channel profiles from above and below ground level to support design versus actual channel comparisons,” says Zac Clinton, Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager, Advisory.
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Teamwork and agility drive project success
Beca’s delivery was marked by agility and teamwork. The Digital and GIS teams played a pivotal role in developing processes to interpret decades-old channel profiles and superimpose current-state data to generate actionable insights. Using manually identified defects to train the machine learning model enables quick reassessments in the coming years and provides a solid foundation for continued asset management.
“The team really got around this one to try and get the best possible result for the client, which has been just fantastic to see,” says Alby Lombard. “I’ve never seen a project animate people as much as this one, where people are really keen to get involved and recognise the scale of the problem.”
The support, community knowledge, and staff expertise provided by Murray Irrigation’s Board of Directors, Executive, and operational and project staff throughout the project were second to none, allowing the project to run as desired – effortlessly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
Delivering value beyond the technical
The project’s benefits extend far beyond technical achievement. Murray Irrigation is an essential organisation for the community and farmers across their footprint in southern New South Wales, providing essential water resources that underpin agricultural productivity and economic stability.
“Farmland productivity in this area is contingent on Murray Irrigation existing and being able to supply water reliably and effectively throughout the year. Without this water delivery network, there would be negative flow-on effects to the Australian economy,” emphasises Alby.
It was evident throughout the project that Murray Irrigation is passionate about what they deliver to the community and is driven by the cost-efficient delivery of water to customers and by partnering with stakeholders to underpin resilience and growth across the region.
Customer and Community engagement and broader industry impact
Customer and Community engagement and partnerships were central throughout the process, with both Beca and Murray Irrigation actively involved in engagement and communication with their customers, landholders, and local flying groups, keeping stakeholders informed throughout the project.
The project has sparked interest from other irrigation operators and industry partners, demonstrating its potential for broader impact.
A foundation for ongoing improvement
The value delivered to Murray Irrigation is clear and measurable:
- A comprehensive, up-to-date view of asset condition, enabling data-driven decisions and targeted capital investment
- A digital repository and GIS model that streamlines planning and reduces the need for costly site visits
- A scalable, repeatable process for ongoing asset management and improvement
“This baseline will actually improve over time, so it’s just the first step of many, but it’s pulling everything into one place. The GIS platform allows you to query things in different areas and target the zones that need extra attention,” notes Zac.
Summing up the project’s value, Alby describes it as “reliable and cost-effective appreciation of the network,” while Zac calls it “an innovative approach to conducting condition assessments on a large-scale portfolio of assets.”
Jarryd Pearce, Senior Manager of Water Delivery at Murray Irrigation Limited, said:
“This is the biggest one-off condition assessments that MIL has ever done.
“Innovation is a key enabler for the future of Murray Irrigation.
“When we embarked on this project, the Murray Irrigation team set out to find an organisation that would match our vision and expectations for industry-leading technology that could deliver a safer and cost-effective asset inspection program with minimal impact on business operations.”
Ron McCalman, CEO of Murray Irrigation Limited, added:
“I commend the Asset Management Teams vision to address the monumental challenge of our aging assets across such a large footprint and to drive innovation in our industry. Having this updated condition assessment data and the high-quality imagery available for the company and seeing it already in use across BAU, shows the efficiencies being achieved and the beginning of a return to the investment.”
Together, these insights highlight how having complete, integrated data will provide a clearer picture of the network, enabling more informed decision-making and supporting sustainable, long-term asset management.
The Murray Irrigation Project is more than a technical achievement; it is a story of partnership, innovation, and lasting value for communities and industry. By Murray Irrigation embracing innovative technologies and working collaboratively, Beca and Murray Irrigation have set a new standard for asset management and regional resilience.
As Alby reflects, “Innovation has been a cornerstone of this entire process, and it’s been refreshing to see both our team and the client embrace new ideas and share the journey.”
Zac adds, “The outcome will keep improving over time, and the benefits are already reaching far beyond the project itself.”
With a foundation built on teamwork, trust, and technical excellence across both organisations, the project is helping to make every day better for local communities, with reliable water, supported landowners and farmers, and a strengthened region’s future. The positive ripple effects will be felt for years to come.
Unearth the full story behind our innovation and see how we’re delivering intergenerational-ready solutions for clients across the region.
Learn more here: https://www.beca.com/what-we-do/projects/industrial/murry-irrigation
