Corporate Body
Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission [II] (1949 - 1976)
State of New South Wales
- From
- 1 June 1949
New South Wales, Australia - To
- 29 April 1976
New South Wales, Australia - Reference No
- NSW Archives Agency ID: AGY-1140
Summary
The Conservation Authority of New South Wales Act, 1949 (Act No.8 1949) came into force on 1 June 1949 with the Minister for Conservation ceasing to be Chairman of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission.
The control of water conservation (other than town and domestic supplies) was vested in a reconstituted Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission consisting of three Commissioners appointed by the Governor.
The Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission operated a series of major water conservation installations including the:
(a) Burrinjuck Dam on the Murrumbidgee River;
(b) Keepit Dam on the Namoi River;
(c) Burrendong Dam on the Macquarie River;
(d) Lake Ballyrogan Storage (later known as Lake Brewster Storage);
(e) Menindee Lakes Storage Project (which commenced on 22 April 1949);
(f) Darling River Weirs;
(g) Glenbawn Dam on the Hunter River;
(h) Wyangala Dam.
The Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission also provided farm water supplies, and sank sub-artesian bores plus artesian bores.
The Irrigation Network controlled and maintained by the Commission included the Coomealla, Curlwaa, Hay, and Murrumbidgee Areas plus the Tullakool Irrigation Area (established in 1947 for the settlement of ex-servicemen).
Ken McInnes
Created: 19 July 2023