SAFarming
Renmark
A town designed around pumping the Murray onto dry land.
1887Irrigation colony agreement signed
WHAT STARTED IT
Renmark was founded as an irrigation settlement by the Chaffey brothers. The idea was to use Murray River water to support intensive agriculture on semi-arid land, with a planned town serving the irrigated blocks.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The brothers signed their agreement in February 1887 and township surveys began later that year. Financial difficulties challenged the private scheme, but organised irrigation endured and shaped the Riverland’s orchards, vineyards and settlements.
TURNING POINTS
1887The irrigation-colony agreement is signed and surveys begin.
1893Parliament creates the Renmark Irrigation Trust on 23 December.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A Riverland service and horticultural centre with river-based tourism. Irrigation remains fundamental to the surrounding economy, continuing the experiment that brought the town into existence.