First Edition
31 October 2026
Welcome to the very first edition of The Current — your regular, front-row seat to what’s happening in Australian water.
Why the name? Because current is what we're all about: water, current affairs, and staying ahead of the flow. And right now, a lot is moving — the Basin Plan and Water Act reviews, water security, and the future of the communities that grow our food and fibre. 'The Current' is our way of cutting through the noise and bringing you the news, analysis and advocacy that matters, straight from the source.
Here’s the thing about NIC: we’re a small team with a big job. We work for this industry and for the towns and communities that depend on irrigated agriculture. Working alongside our member organisations and partners, we make sure the voices of water users are heard where the decisions are made.
In every monthly edition of our new newsletter, you will find our latest media releases, research, policy positions, and news from across our desk — starting with the stories in this first issue.
October was a busy month for the National Irrigators' Council. We travelled to Canberra for our Annual General Meeting and General Meeting, where we heard from Minister Watt, The Hon. Michael McCormack MP, and David Farley MP, and decided on new policy positions. We also released a new report, lodged a major submission, and were featured in the Weekly Times and on the ABC. With another consultation deadline fast approaching, read our spotlight on the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism below to find out what you need to know.
Happy reading.
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Warm regards, Zara Lowien
Chief Executive Officer |
Spotlight on SDLAM
Our submission is in — and the clock is ticking.
The MDBA is consulting on its Draft Determination for the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM), with a 265 GL shortfall in supply measures identified against the original 605 GL target. NIC's analysis also identifies a risk that the Final Determination could result in a negative SDL adjustment, effectively lowering SDLs, contrary to SDLAM's original objective of maintaining or improving social and economic outcomes.
NIC's submission makes 13 findings and 8 recommendations on how the MDBA and the Government should respond — and our key message is simple:
It's time to move beyond "just adding water".
We call on the Government to defer any action until both the Basin Plan and Water Act reviews are finished, to commit to no further water recovery from irrigators, and to direct investment instead toward practical on-ground works and complementary measures that achieve genuine environmental outcomes, in line with what the evidence supports. We also asked for greater transparency from the MDBA on potential outcomes of the adjustment.
Submissions close 1 November 2026 — a short letter supporting our submission would be incredibly valuable. NIC Members check out your Submission Guide sent on Friday 30th October.
Key Reading
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NIC Submission on the SDLAM Draft Determination
Our submission to the MDBA calls for a deferral of decisions until the major reviews are complete, no further water recovery, and smarter
investment in genuine environmental outcomes. Thirteen findings and eight recommendations in total.
Read the submission…
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New Report Released for National Water Week
Launched for National Water Week, our new Water Balance Report found that just 23% of the total water available in the Murray-Darling Basin
is diverted for human use, while 77% remains in rivers. "Water is life – supporting healthy rivers, productive farms and strong
communities."
Read the media release…
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In the Media: Weekly Times — 77% of Basin water returns to the environment
Our analysis of national water accounts, compiled by the Bureau of Meteorology from 2011 to 2025, made headlines: just 23% of the 37,828
gigalitres of average annual inflows is diverted for human use, with 77% left in rivers, wetlands and floodplains.
Read
the article…
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Buybacks Back in the Spotlight
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Buybacks are not the answer in the Murray-Darling Basin
Responding to the Water Amendment (Ending Further Murray-Darling Basin Water Buybacks) Bill 2026, Basin communities said "it's time
to move beyond 'just adding water'". As CEO Zara Lowien said, "the science is clear — restoring the remaining environmental challenges in
the Basin cannot be solved by 'just adding water'."
Read the media release…
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In the Media: ABC — Government considers more buybacks
A draft Murray-Darling Basin report shows a major water efficiency project will fall short of its target, and the federal government has not
ruled out more buybacks. Irrigators say further buybacks would be devastating for agriculture and Basin communities.
Read the article…
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New evidence, old solutions: Basin communities at risk
Southern Basin communities risk losing a further 265 GL of water under an MDBA report, unless the Federal Government changes course and puts
today's evidence ahead of past politics. These communities have already lost 1 in 3 litres of water from farming over 30 years of reform.
Read the media release…
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Worth a Look
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NIC's New MDB Water Balance Report
Our new analysis answers the most-asked question in the Basin: how much water is actually used, and how much remains in our rivers? Drawing
on the Bureau of Meteorology's National Water Accounts, the report finds that just 23% of available water is diverted for human uses,
leaving 77% in rivers, wetlands and floodplains.
Read the report…
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That's the flow for this month. If you know someone who'd value staying ahead of the current, forward this on — they can sign up to 'The Current' for free here.