ETTA PLAINs, QLD
Since 2019, Padman has partnered with the Etta Plains team on one of
Northern Australia’s most significant irrigation developments.
Located more than 200 kilometres north of Julia Creek, the project has required innovative thinking, new product development and a practical approach to overcoming the challenges of remote construction.
Designed to support an 8,000-hectare irrigation development, the project required infrastructure capable of managing flows of up to 180ML/day while remaining simple to operate, efficient to maintain and ready for future automation.
The challenge
The remote location of Etta Plains presented significant logistical challenges for manufacturing, transporting and installing large-scale irrigation infrastructure. The development also required a completely new approach to water control, with existing products unable to efficiently manage the large flows and irrigation bay sizes planned for the project.
Padman’s Involvement
The remote location of Etta Plains presented significant logistical challenges for manufacturing, transporting and installing large-scale irrigation infrastructure. The development also required a completely new approach to water control, with existing products unable to efficiently manage the large flows and irrigation bay sizes planned for the project.
Design & Development
The initial stages involved approximately six months of collaborative design work between Padman, the project owners and engineering partners.
This process resulted in the development of several new products and innovations, including:
- PE3000 Water Control Structure
- MaxiFlow 2000 Structures
- Hybrid Headwall System
- Custom Rolled Downstream Bubbler Sills
These solutions were specifically developed to manage the project’s exceptionally high flow requirements while minimising erosion and improving long-term performance.
INSTALLATION
The first stage of construction was completed under extreme North Queensland conditions, with temperatures exceeding 46°C.
Working alongside the property owner, RSA Contractors and a small onsite crew, the team delivered the first three 200-hectare irrigation paddocks over approximately six weeks. Development has continued progressively since then, with approximately 1,000 hectares and around 700 tonnes of precast concrete infrastructure being added each year.
Key Project Partners
- Etta Plains ownership and management team
- RSA Contractors (Dalby)
- Searle Plumbing (Julia Creek)
- JF Power Freight
- Peter Lesson Designs
- Padman Water Solutions
PROJECT OUTCOMES
Etta Plains has demonstrated how large-scale irrigation can be successfully operated with minimal labour in remote Australia.
The system eliminated the need for large crews traditionally required to manage siphon irrigation, allowing the development to be operated by just one or two irrigators. Water is delivered with greater precision, reducing runoff and water losses while ensuring crops receive only the water they require.
The development now supports the production of sorghum, mung beans and cotton, while also contributing to the broader cattle industry.
Importantly, the infrastructure has been designed to be automation-ready and has already undergone automation trials, positioning the development for future technological advancements.
The innovative hydraulic design has also minimised erosion, reduced maintenance requirements and improved water management performance across the property. Today, irrigation adjustments can be made quickly and easily using either a manual winch or a battery drill during routine farm inspections.
Environmental Benefits
Beyond agricultural production, the project has delivered significant environmental benefits. The new storages and water infrastructure have created valuable aquatic habitats, attracting birdlife and native water species that were previously uncommon in the area.
