[ { "post_id": "974", "post_category_id": "416", "post_title": "New Report - NIC's 2nd Review of Federal Government \"450GL\" Water Purchases", "post_content_short": "The NIC continues to monitor the Federal Government’s implementation of the additional Held Environmental Water (HEW) program under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and has released a second report, following our December 2025 analysis. \n

\n\tThe 450 GL program has fundamentally changed since it was first conceived. The original budget has been exhausted, expected costs have\n\tescalated significantly, the scope of the program has expanded, and new environmental evidence has emerged. Despite these material changes,\n\tthere has been no transparent reassessment of whether continued expenditure represents the most effective, efficient and economical\n\tinvestment to achieve environmental outcomes and deliver benefits to the Australian economy [...]\n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/974\/2nd-HEW-REVIEW.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/policy\/murray-darling-basin-plan\/review-of-additional-hew\/", "post_date": "2026-06-17 23:24:12" }, { "post_id": "973", "post_category_id": "405", "post_title": "Are Billions at Risk? Government water buybacks fail economic test", "post_content_short": "The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has warned the Federal Government’s continued pursuit of additional water buybacks under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan risks becoming one of Australia’s most expensive environmental program without demonstrating that it delivers\nvalue to the Australian economy. \n

\n\tA new NIC review has found the Government’s 450 GL additional environmental water program has moved well beyond its original budget and\n\tpurpose, with taxpayers facing a potential multi-billion-dollar bill despite growing evidence that further water purchases are delivering\n\tdiminishing environmental returns.\n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/973\/Media-Release.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/news\/media-releases\/are-billions-at-risk-government-water-buybacks-fail-economic-test\/", "post_date": "2026-06-17 23:13:10" }, { "post_id": "972", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Membership Fees 2026 - 2027", "post_content_short": "The Board would like to thank Members for their ongoing support to NIC, your support and our growth strategy, is ensuring we are a focused and sustainable organisation, providing a strong and united voice in key water policy debates.
\n
\nThe Board also wishes to inform Members of the  2026 -2027 fee structure. Increases have been managed closely to the March 2026\nquarter Consumer Price Index, slight rounding was needed to keep the fee structure in whole dollars. This coming year, a new non-Murray\nDarling Basin fee option is now available for all Membership categories enabling a discounted rate, when the proposed applicant's water\nentitlement interests are located solely outside the Murray-Darling Basin. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/972\/Correspondence.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/members-area\/member-update\/membership-fees-2026-2027\/", "post_date": "2026-06-12 03:11:17" }, { "post_id": "971", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Member Briefing - UNDRIP", "post_content_short": "Here is a member briefing note for members on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which is a key\nfocus of the review of the Water Act 2007 (Cth). We will present this to you at todays drop-in session, for those available to attend, and\nstart discussions on our strategy. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/971\/Member-new-resource.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/971\/20260610-Water-Act-Review-UNDRIP.pdf", "post_date": "2026-06-10 01:42:00" }, { "post_id": "970", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "PCT Executive Leadership Program", "post_content_short": "The Peter Cullen Trust has initiated a new Leadership Program for Executives - Confluence.\n

\n\tConfluence<\/em> is designed for leaders who already operate at scale and want to amplify their impact. In a time of complexity and\n\tchange, it offers a rare opportunity to step back from the day to day demands of leadership and focus on how to maintain and expand\n\tinfluence.\n\n

\n\tConfluence<\/em> creates a space to reflect, connect and lead with purpose in complex times. A place where ideas, experience and\n\tperspectives converge to shape resilient futures.  Reach out to Lesley at PCT via office@petercullentrust.com.au<\/a>\n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/970\/PCT.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.petercullentrust.org.au\/executive-leadership-program\/", "post_date": "2026-06-01 02:24:24" }, { "post_id": "969", "post_category_id": "403", "post_title": "MDB Leadership Opportunity", "post_content_short": "Applications soon close for the first cohort's of the ARLF and MDBA Murray-Darling Leadership Program (MDBLP).  The program aims\n\tto bring together people from across the Basin who are ready to work beyond their own interests and contribute to something shared —\n\tincluding strengthening understanding of how the Basin’s water resources are managed and why they matter.\n\n

\n\tThis is a leadership experience designed for people who care deeply about the future of the Basin and the communities, industries and water\n\tdependent ecosystems it supports.  To find our more - visit the webpage and lodge an expression of interest. \n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/969\/MDBA-ARLF-leadership.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/rural-leaders.org.au\/murray-darling-basin-leadership-program\/?msdynmkt_trackingcontext=04a29b62-03db-4843-b31f-817316c20100#registerinterest", "post_date": "2026-06-01 02:10:26" }, { "post_id": "968", "post_category_id": "403", "post_title": "New Basin Community Committee Members Wanted", "post_content_short": "The MDBA is seeking expression of interest applications for Basin Community Committee (BCC) Members that provide input to the MDBA on their activities.  \n

\n\tNew tenures and reappointments will begin in April 2027 for a 3-year term and nominations will undergo an extensive selection process\n\tinvolving all Basin governments.\n\n

\n\tThe Basin Community Committee, established under the Water Act 2007 <\/em>(Cth), is chaired by Ms Rachel Kelly and includes\n\tirrigation, environmental water and Indigenous water subcommittees. \n\n
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/968\/MDBA-logo.jpg", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.mdba.gov.au\/news-and-events\/newsroom\/basin-community-committee-seeks-new-members", "post_date": "2026-06-01 01:56:59" }, { "post_id": "967", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "NIC October Meetings", "post_content_short": "Please see our Meeting Event page for information on our upcoming October AGM and General Meeting.
\n
\nScheduled over two-half-days on Tuesday 13th October and Wednesday 14th October 2026, in Barton ACT<\/strong>.  This is a\nsitting week, so please book your travel early to save.
\n
\nA Networking and Thank You Dinner will be held at Hotel Kurrajong on Tuesday, 13th October - a separate event with a trybooking link is\navailable under Member events. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/967\/Member-General-Meetnig-.png", "post_content_type": "event", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/event-rsvp\/nic-member-agm-and-general-meeting\/", "post_date": "2026-05-29 02:37:44" }, { "post_id": "963", "post_category_id": "403", "post_title": "Integrating Basin-Scale and Onsite Water Systems Webinar", "post_content_short": "In One Basin CRC up-coming webinar series explores integrating Basin-scale and onsite water systems with a joint partnership with One Basin\nCRC and One Water Program at Texas A&M University in the United States. In response to increasing water scarcity, climate\nvariability, and growing agricultural and municipal water demands, integrated “One Water” approaches are gaining global traction.Hear more\nat the Webinar Thursday, 21 May 2026, at 10:00am.<\/strong>", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/963\/One-Basin-AWS-and-ATM.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/awschool.com.au\/training\/integrating-basin-scale-water-systems\/", "post_date": "2026-05-18 00:42:18" }, { "post_id": "962", "post_category_id": "416", "post_title": "MDB Leadership Webinar", "post_content_short": "The MDBA together with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation are hosting a free webinar to hear more about their new leadership initiative - A leadership program for people ready to work across sectors, communities and perspectives to support the long term health of\nthe Basin and the communities it sustains. For anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity, a webinar is being held\non Wednesday 20th May 2026 | 4pm - 5pm<\/strong>.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/962\/MDBA-ARLF-leadership.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/rural-leaders.org.au\/murray-darling-basin-leadership-program\/", "post_date": "2026-05-15 00:34:00" }, { "post_id": "961", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Budget 2026 Briefing Note", "post_content_short": "Last night, the Treasurer presented the Government's 2026 Budget. Its contentious due to is reform agenda to the tax system, their\nassumptions and whether Labor have broken trust with Australian's over their proposals.  The bottom line is that we are projected for\nat least another 10-years to be in deficit and that will affect the Government's thinking when it comes to how they generate income and\ntheir likely spending priorities going forward.
\n
\nAttached is a briefing note from NIC which is specific to the Water Portfolio items which are much less controversial but indicative that\nwater isnt a major priority. For water and the MDB, the likely expenditure is again as clear as mud with references to not for publication subtlety hidden as notes to tables, with no clear line items to attribute what may or may not be the future budget. We have made some calculations here using what we have available, however it may not be the full picture. As with many portfolio areas, there is a lot of\nsavings and not a lot of new expenditure.  These savings include another $104M from the National Water Grid with only $21.1M in new spending to top up existing programs. 
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/961\/Budget-2026.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/961\/20260513-BN-2026-Budget.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-13 04:11:15" }, { "post_id": "966", "post_category_id": "406", "post_title": "Inquiry into National Water Reform Submission", "post_content_short": "This submission is provided to the Productivity Commission’s (PC) fourth inquiry on governments’ progress under the National Water\nInitiative (NWI), as required by the Water Act 2007 (Cth). NIC notes that this inquiry comes at a time of significant review, and\npotential change, of water policy settings across Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). The consultation burden affects\nstakeholders and Government.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/966\/Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/966\/20260513-NIC-Submission-PC-National-Water-Inquiry-FINAL.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-11 01:10:00" }, { "post_id": "965", "post_category_id": "406", "post_title": "Menindee Review Submission", "post_content_short": "This submission is provided to the review of the operation and management of the Menindee Lakes system. Many of our Members are critically\nlinked into the frameworks and operations of Menindee Lakes via existing sharing arrangements through the Murray Darling Agreement or local\nsharing plans - above and below the Lakes. This submission therefore represents the views of irrigation entitlement holders and water users,\nand non-government water delivery networks, up and downstream of the Lakes.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/965\/Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/965\/20260508-NIC-Submission-Menindee-Review.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-08 01:05:00" }, { "post_id": "960", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Draft submission into PC Inquiry into National Water Reform", "post_content_short": "Following a quick presentation from the PC and our Member Policy Discussion yesterday, please see the first draft of NIC's Submission into the Productivity Commissions Inquiry into National Water Reform.  This is due to be lodged tomorrow, however given the timeframes we\ncan hold off until Monday for feedback and lodge Monday evening. 
\n
\nWe hope that little bit more time allows you time for feedback and review.  Please reach out for a word document if you want to provide tracked changes. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/960\/Draft-Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/960\/20260504-NIC-Submission-PC-National-Water-Inquiry-draft-for-comment.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-07 04:02:53" }, { "post_id": "959", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Version 2 - Menindee Submission", "post_content_short": "Following feedback from Members and the discussion at the Member Policy Session yesterday, please see an updated version of the NIC\nMenindee Submission attached. This is due to be lodged tomorrow, so please review for final checks. 
\n
\nChanges included adding clear statements on boundaries on what the vision for the Lakes must recognise, as well as including the final\nagreed principles as recommendations.  We included reference to the shepherding trial and clarity around the exiting multi jurisdictional arrangements now within the Water Act.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/959\/Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/959\/20250507-NIC-Submission-Menindee-Review-V2-clean.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-07 03:58:00" }, { "post_id": "958", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Draft Position Statement (update) - Climate", "post_content_short": "We have updated our draft climate Position Statement in response to feedback at our General Meeting.
\n
\nWe will discuss this at our Drop In on Wednesday, and look forward to hearing your feedback then. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/958\/Policy-Position-icon.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/958\/20260501-Draft-Postion-Statement-Climate-V3.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-01 03:22:00" }, { "post_id": "957", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Draft Submission - Menindee Lakes Review", "post_content_short": "The draft NIC Submission for the Menindee Lakes Review is now available for member feedback. You will find the draft submission on our\nmembers area > policy & strategy > Menindee Lakes.
\n
\nWe will discuss the draft submission at next weeks Drop-In, which is an opportunity to provide feedback. 
\n
\nNote: NIC received an extension to May 8th. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/957\/Draft-Submission.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/members-area\/strategy-and-policy-documents\/menindee-lakes\/", "post_date": "2026-05-01 03:17:00" }, { "post_id": "956", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "FINAL SUBMISSION", "post_content_short": "Thank you to all our Members who have provided input prior to and during the 12-weeks of consultation.
\n
\nOur submission has now been lodged. 
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/956\/Final-Submission-page-BP-Review-Discussion-Paper.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/members-area\/strategy-and-policy-documents\/basin-plan-discussion-paper-response\/", "post_date": "2026-04-29 03:15:06" }, { "post_id": "955", "post_category_id": "405", "post_title": "NIC Media Release - Now Is The Time For Stability - Irrigators Submit To Basin Plan Review", "post_content_short": "NIC Media Release: Now Is The Time For Stability - Irrigators Submit To Basin Plan Review\n

\n\t23 April 2026, Sydney, NSW:<\/strong> The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) met in Sydney today to finalise a response to the\n\tMurray-Darling Basin Plan Review, issuing a sneak peek.\n\n

\n\t“The balance has been struck when it comes to sharing water, with three-decades of reforms shrinking the share for farmers by one-third,”\n\tsaid NIC CEO, Zara Lowien.\n\n

\n\t“The Government’s own science says there’s no need to further reduce water from farming, showing 92% of environmental indicators across the\n\tBasin’s rivers would not change.”\n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/955\/Media-Release.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/news\/media-releases\/now-is-the-time-for-stability-irrigators-submit-to-basin-plan-review\/", "post_date": "2026-04-23 04:51:00" }, { "post_id": "954", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "New Basin Plan Resource", "post_content_short": "Our Basin Plan Snapshot is now ready to share!!
\n
\nThanks everyone for your input into this great fact sheet.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/954\/Basin-Plan-Snapshot-Icon.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/members-area\/strategy-and-policy-documents\/basin-plan-discussion-paper-response\/", "post_date": "2026-04-20 23:41:08" }, { "post_id": "953", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "General Meeting Papers", "post_content_short": "As we prepared to get ready for our April General Meeting, the final Agenda and Papers are now available for review prior to the Thursday.  These\ninclude two new updated papers to help guide discussions on Climate Uncertainty and Menindee Lakes, as well as a background brief for the Water Act discussion.
\n
\nWe look forward to welcoming you to Sydney. Reminder, a casual breakfast will start from 7:30am prior to the meeting. 
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/953\/Member-General-Meetnig-.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/members-area\/meeting-documents\/", "post_date": "2026-04-20 21:55:01" }, { "post_id": "952", "post_category_id": "416", "post_title": "PC National Water Reform Inquiry Facts", "post_content_short": "The Productivity Commission has updated a FAQ document to be clear on the definition of 'water services' and whether or not the inquiry will\nconsider the NWA. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/952\/PC-logo.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.pc.gov.au\/inquiries-and-research\/water-reform-2026\/faq\/", "post_date": "2026-04-10 01:11:55" }, { "post_id": "964", "post_category_id": "405", "post_title": "New Podcast - exploring the link between policy and community wellbeing", "post_content_short": "A new podcast by The Rural Psychologist explores the question of how government decisions can effect the mental health and wellbeing of whole rural communities.  In this episode NIC CEO Zara Lowien, shares her in-sights and lived experience, explaining how government decisions in water can flow through a community, the benefits and impacts and why stability is needed to provide some certainty moving forward, in these increasingly uncertain times.  ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/964\/Rural-Psychologist.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/922864\/episodes\/19115061-farmer-ceo-zara-lowien-how-does-government-policy-making-and-decisions-affect-community-wellbeing", "post_date": "2026-04-06 01:02:00" }, { "post_id": "951", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Draft Position Statement - Climate", "post_content_short": "Following last week's Member Policy discussion, a Draft Position Statement on Climate Uncertainty is available for review and feedback.  Feedback\nis welcome by Friday 10th April.  We intend to finalise this Position Statement at our April General Meeting. 
\n
\nREMINDER - the Blue box is the text that is agreed or voted on by Members and should be the focus of feedback.  The remaining text is\nbackground and can be updated as needed with new information without Member approval. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/951\/Member-Policy-update.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/951\/260325-Draft-Postion-Statement-Climate.docx", "post_date": "2026-04-02 07:02:20" }, { "post_id": "950", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "Basin Plan snapshot", "post_content_short": "Following feedback and discussion, we have updated the Basin Plan snapshot document to include climate as well as, more detail on the Basin Plan 2.0 and 1.0.
\n
\nVisit the Members Area to see the web version of the attached PDF.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/950\/Member-new-resource.png", "post_content_type": "page", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/members-area\/strategy-and-policy-documents\/basin-plan-discussion-paper-response\/", "post_date": "2026-04-02 00:41:59" } ]