[ { "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" }, { "post_id": "949", "post_category_id": "416", "post_title": "National Water Reform review", "post_content_short": "The Productivity Commission has released the terms of reference for the tree-yearly review into National Water Reform - this inquiry is into\nthe National Water Initiative and its progress.  The review also includes terms to look at urban water infrastructure and pricing, and\nthus presents an opportunity to raise concerns with bulk water infrastructure and pricing. This is a tight timeframe, with a two-step\nprocess for an initial submission and a final submission deadline, which is similar to the usual process, it will mean we will not see a draft report rather an initial summary.  The intention is this information is available to the Minister prior to the end of 2026, to\nhelp inform the legislative program for 2027.
\n
\nNIC has requested a direct meeting with the inquiry team and we will let you know when.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/949\/News.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.pc.gov.au\/inquiries-and-research\/water-reform-2026\/", "post_date": "2026-03-31 00:33:00" }, { "post_id": "948", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "NIC Draft Options Table", "post_content_short": "Part 3 of our Submission to the MDBA's Basin Plan Review Discussion paper is the full list of MDBA options, our NIC response and our own options.  This is available as a stand alone document. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/948\/Draft-Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/948\/DRAFT-NIC-Options-Table-v1.pdf", "post_date": "2026-03-24 00:27:57" }, { "post_id": "947", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "Draft Submission on Basin Plan Review", "post_content_short": "The first draft of our NIC Submission to the MDBA's Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper is now available.  Attached is the one document,\nwhich includes a brief one-pager on the review. The one-pager is designed as a stand alone document for decision makers, and hence its\nlanguage is tailored accordingly.  The options table is also available separately on the Members Page. 
\n
\nFeedback is welcomed, and I note we haven't specifically discussed northern connectivity or Menindee yet as a Membership group which will\nfurther shape this submission (although we anticipate a separate submission for Menindee Review).  We will have a Specific Member Drop\nin session scheduled for this in coming weeks, to give you time to read through the submission.  The submission has been written to\nprovide an overarching key recommendations, with a number of specific recommendations within the report - the key list is the option table\nin Part 3.  We aimed to have it structured to allow, local views and regional examples, to be provided. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/947\/Draft-Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/947\/20260205-DRAFT-NIC-Submission-Basin-Plan-Review-Discussion-Paper-V1.pdf", "post_date": "2026-03-24 00:17:00" }, { "post_id": "945", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "Issues list with SDL analysis and options uploaded", "post_content_short": "The NIC team have uploaded and embedded a "live document" to help inform our submission development.  This includes overview of issues, SDL assessment and technical issues, options analysis.
\n
\nThe approach aims to be transparent with the key issues for the BP Review, proposed solutions and actions. The document will be updated as\nwe progress through our analysis adn thinking.  
\n
\nThe MDBA options from the discussion paper, are also presented with draft comments outlining our potential responses for the submission.  In\nthe options tab, we have also included previously recommended NIC positions for reference. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/945\/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": "2026-03-06 06:24:05" }, { "post_id": "944", "post_category_id": "415", "post_title": "Water Act Review commences", "post_content_short": "This week, the statutory review of the Water Act 2007 (Cth) commenced. You can read the Terms of Reference and an Introductory Paper on the DCCEEW website. Consultation is now underway until July. We will discuss more at our next member drop-in session. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/944\/News.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.dcceew.gov.au\/water\/policy\/policy\/legislation\/water-act-review", "post_date": "2026-03-05 22:59:41" }, { "post_id": "943", "post_category_id": "418", "post_title": "MDBP Member Discussion 25 Feb", "post_content_short": "Following the Member policy discussion on 25 February, please see the slides from this meeting. Key discussion points were reaffirming our\npositions, providing insights into our work program including our journal article on evidence to priorisation for the Basin Plan next steps a follow on from our triple crown framework, as well as our engagement and communications planing -internal and external. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/943\/Member-policy-drop-in.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/943\/National-Irrigators-Council-Feb-25-Drop-in.pptx", "post_date": "2026-02-25 22:40:57" }, { "post_id": "946", "post_category_id": "406", "post_title": "NIC Submission into IGWC", "post_content_short": "The NIC provided a written, public submission into the Review into the Inspector General Water Compliance saying: "Reviewing how the\nrole is functioning towards these key principles is paramount as the new role matures over time, to ensure that these principles are being\nmet, but also that this is occurring in an effective, efficient, fit-for-purpose and proportional manner. Nothing in this submission is to question or belittle the importance of these principles – rather – to examine how they can be most effectively and efficiently served."", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/946\/Submission.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/946\/20260225-NIC-Submission-IGWC-Review.pdf", "post_date": "2026-02-25 06:25:00" } ]