How Smart Irrigation is Transforming Northern Australia
A quiet revolution in Queensland's crop fields is demonstrating how technology can create sustainable agricultural practices
It's 2 AM in the Burdekin region of North Queensland, but sugarcane farmer Steve Pilla isn't checking his irrigation pumps tonight. Before adopting an automated system, his nights were often disrupted by the demanding schedule of changing water pumps and valves. "Previously I had to start the pumps at 6am, then change them at 2pm and 10pm," Steve recalls. "If you're a little late on your scheduling, it might have been pushed to 11pm, then that would take you to midnight the next night. I'd be out there at 1am or 2am sometimes changing sets of pumps." 1
Now, from his bed or even while on vacation, Steve can manage his entire irrigation system through a smartphone app. "During the night if it starts raining, I'll open up the app on my phone and have a look," he says. If they've had significant rain, he can shut the system down remotely. "I don't have to travel around the farm to do it anymore. The technology saves me time, saves me labour, energy, the lot. It's just full-on savings." 1
Farmers can manage irrigation systems from anywhere using smartphone apps
Steve's story represents a quiet revolution sweeping across Northern Australia, where innovative irrigation technologies are helping farmers combat climate uncertainty, reduce environmental impact, and improve productivity. This transformation comes at a critical time when agricultural production must increase by approximately 60% by 2050 to meet the growing food demand of a planet that will have 1.5 billion more people than today. 6
Northern Australia accounts for 40% of the Australian landmass but remains largely undeveloped, representing one of the few large natural areas remaining on Earth. 4 The region receives between 60-70% of Australia's fresh water discharge from its tropical rivers, creating a compelling case for careful agricultural development. 4
The interplay between the landscapes, rivers, groundwater and strongly monsoonal weather patterns has resulted in unique, diverse and iconic ecological systems that require special attention to ensure their integrity is retained as development pressure increases. 4 This is particularly important for protecting treasures like the Great Barrier Reef, where water quality can be impacted by agricultural runoff containing pollutants, pesticides, fertilisers and sediment. 1
With reduced water availability in much of southern Australia due to drought, climate change and increasing water demand, there is rapidly growing interest in the land and water resources of the north. 4
The Australian Government has recognized this growing pressure and that there is a unique and historic opportunity to ensure the management and use of Australia's northern land and water resources takes place within a strategic, sustainable framework. 4
For decades, sugarcane paddocks in regions like the Burdekin used manual irrigation systems with pumps that required farmers to activate them personally or gravity-fed channels that supplied water to the farm. Both methods required valves to be turned on and off manually, including overnight and on weekends. 1
This approach not only disrupted farmers' personal lives but gave them little control or visibility over the exact amount of water entering their fields. This was costly for farmers and increased the volume of pollutants that ran off the land into waterways flowing out to the Reef. 1
Innovative irrigation systems are now transforming this picture through several approaches:
By automating these systems, farmers can easily plan, manage and maintain their crop irrigation online through websites and apps. 1 The results have been dramatic across Northern Australia.
| Aspect | Traditional Approach | Automated Solution | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Use | Flood irrigation | Moisture-triggered drip systems | 40% less waste 9 |
| Labour Requirement | Manual valve adjustment | App-based control | 85% time reduction 1 |
| Fertiliser Application | Blanket spreading | Variable-rate applications | 22% cost reduction 9 |
| Energy Costs | Standard tariff hours | Off-peak scheduling | Significant savings 1 |
The Burdekin Irrigation Project, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government's Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, represents a comprehensive real-world experiment in irrigation transformation. The project helped sugarcane farmers transition to more efficient, automated irrigation to reduce costs and improve productivity and profitability, while also reducing farm runoff. 1
The project implemented a comprehensive monitoring system to track multiple variables:
Farmers like Paul Villis installed overhead irrigation systems connected to apps that help track and schedule water use. Others, like Joe and Aaron Linton, switched to web-based apps to fully automate their irrigation with trickle tape installed throughout their sugarcane paddocks. 1
The data collected revealed significant benefits across multiple dimensions:
| Farm | Technology Adopted | Water Use Reduction | Labour Time Saved | Return on Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Villis, Burdekin | Overhead irrigation with app control | Significant reduction from allocation | Not specified | Not specified 1 |
| Joe & Aaron Linton, Burdekin | Trickle tape with automation | Not specified | Substantial time redirection to profit activities | Full payback already achieved 1 |
| Steve Pilla, Burdekin | Full automation with remote control | Reduced running time | Elimination of nighttime checks | Expected within 2 years or sooner 1 |
| Parameter | Traditional Irrigation | Automated Systems | Environmental Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fertiliser Runoff | Higher due to blanket application | Reduced through precision application | Improved water quality for Reef 1 |
| Energy Consumption | Peak time usage | Scheduled off-peak hours | Lower carbon footprint 1 |
| Water Efficiency | Lower due to over-irrigation | Precise application | Conservation of water resources 1 |
Perhaps most telling are the personal testimonies from farmers. Aaron Linton jokes that the system "probably made me complacent because it's so reliable that it's not something I put any time into anymore. It just happens in the background." He adds: "With flood irrigation you're out there in the paddocks, checking the drills and opening the outlets. Whereas now it just happens. I can spend my time doing other things I need to do that make more money." 1
| Tool/Solution | Function | Application in Northern Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Moisture Probes | Measure water content at different soil depths | Helps farmers irrigate only when needed; demonstrated in Katherine workshops |
| Crop Growth Models | Predict crop water requirements based on growth stage | Integrated into irrigation toolkits for precise scheduling 3 |
| Satellite Imagery (IrrMap Dataset) | Maps irrigation methods and crop health over large areas | Enables large-scale monitoring of irrigation patterns 7 |
| Vegetation Indices (e.g., NDVI) | Measures plant health via satellite | Provides early warning of crop stress 7 |
| Automated Valve Systems | Allows remote control of water flow | Enables irrigation scheduling without physical presence 1 |
| Real-time Energy Tracking | Monitors power consumption of irrigation systems | Helps farmers reduce costs by shifting to off-peak times 3 |
The irrigation revolution is accelerating with new technologies emerging rapidly:
As Professor David Phelps, Director of the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, notes: "In 2025, we have seen a record-breaking wet season, and this technology can take into account moisture levels in the soil, to deliver the amount of water needed through more precise irrigation scheduling to maximise crop growth and conserve water for when the farms need it. This really shows how farms can become more resilient heading into a drought. As we know, it's not 'if' but 'when' the next drought arrives." 3
While the technology shows great promise, widespread adoption faces challenges:
Successful implementation requires addressing these barriers through approaches like:
Catering to different learning styles
Farmers sharing experiences
For non-English speaking growers
Technologies working in local conditions 3
The transformation of irrigation practices in Northern Australia represents more than just technological advancement—it embodies a crucial shift toward sustainable coexistence between agriculture and the environment. As Steve Pilla advises other growers: "If you really want to make changes, as far as irrigation efficiency, you've got to take the next step toward automation. Do you have to do your whole farm? No, but start off somewhere and you'll see the savings coming back to you." 1
The initial successes in regions like the Burdekin and Dimbulah demonstrate that sustainable irrigation design can deliver a triple bottom line benefit: improving farm profitability, enhancing quality of life for farmers, and protecting delicate ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef. 1 3
With the right policies, continued innovation, and collaborative effort between farmers, researchers, and government, Northern Australia has the potential to become a global model for sustainable agricultural development in a water-constrained world. The journey has begun, and the results—measured in both healthier farms and a healthier environment—are already flowing.
Improved farm profitability and ROI
Enhanced quality of life for farmers
Protection of delicate ecosystems