The Vietnamese Government is in the process of reviewing its legislation on irrigation service pricing.
G-MW has one of the largest and most technologically advanced irrigation networks in the Southern Hemisphere.
Its customers range from domestic and stock customers on unregulated waterways, to urban water authorities who have bulk entitlements held in major storages.
Explaining how G-MW aims to fairly recover and share the ongoing costs of upgrading, operating and maintaining the network and other infrastructure — such as dams, drains and pumps — among those different customers provides useful case studies for other countries looking to modernise and manage their irrigation networks.
Department of Water Resources general director (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Professor Nguyen Tung Phong said the visit to G-MW had been insightful.
“We really appreciate G-MW staff taking the time to talk to us about their irrigation network and the legislation and pricing structures that are in place for it,” Prof Phong said.
“It’s very beneficial to get a different perspective on how these things are managed, and there has certainly been some useful information we can use back home.”
G-MW has previously hosted delegations from other countries, including Thailand and Georgia.
G-MW water resources manager Mark Bailey was one of those who presented to the Vietnamese delegation.
He said he was pleased G-MW had the opportunity to share some of its learnings.
“It is great we are able help groups with developing irrigation networks understand some of the challenges and opportunities that might lie ahead for them, particularly their financial management,” Dr Bailey said.
“At G-MW we certainly look to learn from others where possible, so it is good to also have the opportunity to give back.”
The visit was co-ordinated by consulting group RMCG and funded through the Federal Government’s Australian Water Partnership and Asian Development Bank initiatives.
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