1003 415 2026-27 Trading Strategy Addendum for the Bridging the Gap program. It lists the catchments with a remaining gap to be bridged and includes key dates for upcoming tenders.

As of 30 June 2026, 9.0 GL/y remains to bridge the gap in full across five catchments: surface water in the NSW Border Rivers, NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Lachlan, and groundwater in the Queensland Condamine-Balonne. Gaps in the NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Lachlan have only occurred due to changes in NSW LTDLEs.]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/1003/Member-new-resource.png url https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/strategic-water-purchasing-framework-addendum-2026-27.pdf 2026-09-11 06:14:00 1002 403
You can submit an abstract, case study, video pitch, workshop or panel idea across 13 diverse sub-themes.

Whether you have new research to share, lessons from a project, an innovative approach or a conversation you think the sector needs to have, now is the time to get your submission in.

A great opportunity to showcase the wonder work of the industry, your programs and irrigation effeciency.  Reach out to Zara or Christine, if interested to discuss.  

Due 18 September 2026
]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/1002/OzWater-27.png url https://www.ozwater.org/about/themes?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_FeL-Wxda0wkieQVbd_u9N-56ZEvvrQPCb2R5wiaIi8qVVZzGwtcOsnO6eyyN7dQKAYlfBuezhaD-PCGOyAkb9WJYaRA&_hsmi=436943386 2026-09-03 21:24:21 1001 406
Key points included ensuring the Water Act reflects the constitutional arrangements for water, reshaping the Act to reflect the changed roles of the Murray Darling Basin Plan from a plan of recovery to management and ensuring the froundations of water management framework, agreed in 2004 are reflected in legislation.]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/1001/Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/1001/20260831-Water-Act-Review-NIC-Submission-FINAL.pdf 2026-09-03 21:18:26 1000 415
A massive efffort today by the team to pull this together.

Feedback is welcome but must be early Monday to allow the submission to be lodged.  There are no extensions. 

Minor checking and AI analysis of messaging will occur Monday before lodging, so there maybe minor changes. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/1000/Draft-Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/1000/20260828-Water-Act-Review-NIC-Submission-V2-FINAL-DRAFT.pdf 2026-08-28 08:41:06 999 415
Either use this as a letter template or use the key headings as the core key messages to convey. 

An updated draft of our full submission is due today. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/999/Member-new-resource.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/999/20260828_Points-for-Water-Act-Submission.docx 2026-08-28 02:23:07 998 405 enough is enough’ of taking water away from farmers. 

“Communities are at tipping point right around the Basin,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of NIC, after 1 in 3 litres of water has been removed from farming over more than 30 years of reform. [...] 

 ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/998/Media-Release.png page https://www.irrigators.org.au/news/media-releases/media-release-nic-at-the-national-bush-summit/ 2026-08-26 22:44:00 997 415
Only one session needs to be attended, but you are welcome to both.

Session 1 - Monday 24th August 1:30pm-2:30pm
Session 2 - Thursday 27th August 10am-11am

Click this link to RSVP and receive the Teams link for Session 2.]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/997/Member-Policy-update.png event https://www.irrigators.org.au/event-rsvp/water-act-review-submission-feedback-session-2026/ 2026-08-21 04:13:01 996 415
Only one session needs to be attended, but you are welcome to both.

Session 1 - Monday 24th August 1:30pm-2:30pm
Session 2 - Thursday 27th August 10am-11am

Click this link to RSVP and receive the Teams link for Session 1.
]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/996/Member-policy-drop-in.png event https://www.irrigators.org.au/event-rsvp/water-act-review-submission-feedback-session/ 2026-08-21 04:12:19 995 415
The position is voluntary but offers the opportunity to provide your voice and experience in the direction of one of NIC Partner organisations.

EOI close 25 September 2026. More information is available by clicking the link.
]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/995/PCT.png url https://www.petercullentrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-EOI-Board-Directors.pdf 2026-08-21 03:48:41 994 409 https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/994/Member-new-resource.png url https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/publications/national-water-agreement 2026-08-21 03:36:43 993 405
National Irrigators' Council, NSW Irrigators' Council, Ricegrowers' Association, Citrus Australia and Cotton Australia were united in their call that water policy belongs in Australia's food security conversation. [...]]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/993/Media-Release.png page https://www.irrigators.org.au/news/media-releases/joint-media-release-water-policy-must-be-on-the-food-security-menu/ 2026-08-18 05:31:00 992 406 first Draft following initial Member discussions has been preared for the Water Act Review Dicussion Paper response. Please review and consider feedback, preferably in tracked changes.  A Policy drop in session will be held to work through feedback also. 

This is a frist Draft, we expect further additional work in a few areas including the inclusion of data from our proposed survey on water information.  We will also be cross checking our Basin Plan submission table to the recommendations to ensure we have captured everything. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/992/Draft-Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/992/20260721-Water-Act-Review-NIC-Submission.docx 2026-08-16 23:30:48 991 405
We have introduced new membership options recognising that organisations are structured differently and may already contribute to NIC through local or valley representation. Our structure also provides options for organisations with operations outside the Murray–Darling Basin, making direct national representation more accessible while recognising existing contributions. 

Is now the time to explore our options?
]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/991/News.png page https://www.irrigators.org.au/our-community/ 2026-08-11 04:02:02 990 403 https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/990/CA-Logo.png url https://au.seek.com/Cotton-Australia-Ltd-jobs/at-this-company?jobId=93646431&type=standard 2026-08-10 05:26:58 989 415
The event will be at Old Parliament House from 2pm 13th October through to 1pm on 14th October, with a dinner at Hotel Kurrajong on Tuesday evening. 

As these dates are a sitting week, please book flights and accomodation. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/989/Member-General-Meetnig-.png event https://www.irrigators.org.au/event-rsvp/nic-member-agm-and-general-meeting/ 2026-08-09 22:04:02 988 406
NIC recognised that a modernised, transparent and evidence-based Deed framework is needed. NIC also welcomed the Panel’s stated intent that improved environmental outcomes should be pursued without compromising the reliability of water supply for irrigation. NIC has identified several areas where the draft recommendations, create material risk to the reliability of downstream consumptive entitlements, extend to shared interstate water resources, and sit uneasily with the risk-allocation and compensation principles of the National Water Initiative (NWI) and with the Review Framework’s own stated principles. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/988/Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/988/20260728-NIC-submission-to-SWOID-draft-report.pdf 2026-08-09 21:59:50 987 406
The submission reinterated our key points from our initial submission but also explored a number of topics where the interim update was seeking information, covering intitial assessments, sustainable water limits, managing climate change and metering. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/987/Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/987/20260723-NIC-Response-PC-Interim-Update.pdf 2026-08-09 21:55:18 986 403
The Peter Cullen Trust is looking for the next cohort of emerging and established leaders to join our 2027 Leadership Program.

A webinar is being held on 25 Aug 2026 12:30 PM to find out more.]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/986/PCT.png url https://petercullentrust.wildapricot.org/event-6765598 2026-08-09 21:50:49 985 403
Under this year's theme, Squeezing Every Last Drop: From Survival to Strength: No Excuses, No Waste. Do More with Less, the program brings together government, utilities, local councils and industry leaders to share real-world insights you can take back to your organisation. 17 - 19 August 2026. ]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/985/AWA-State-Conference-2026.png url https://www.awa.asn.au/upcoming-events/nsw-state-conference-2026?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_zJmJywsPgmNashLaXUBeiTbTMfmiH7Y9plpwVYnby0SnAqFu2tlV4Ctyf6ygppe03Now94xVLn2oPTeRnIWF5tyy2dg&_hsmi=431841482 2026-08-09 21:47:36 984 415 https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/984/Draft-Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/984/20260723-NIC-Response-PC-Interim-Update.docx 2026-07-26 21:41:37 983 406 https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/983/Submission.png file https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/983/NIC-Water-Act-Review-First-Nations-Submission-July-2026-FINAL.pdf 2026-07-22 12:11:00 981 416
The report presented evidence that the MDB remains within SDL and there is continuing under-use occuring around the Basin.]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/981/IGWC.png url https://www.igwc.gov.au/what-we-do/reviews-and-reports#sustainable-diversion-limit-compliance 2026-07-22 12:01:55 980 403 28 July 2026 - you can register here.

The webinar will provide information to support participation in the current review of The Water Act 2007 (Cth) with the release of a Review Discussion Paper.

This webinar will be recorded and will be available on our website following the event.]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/980/dcceew.jpg url https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/water-act-review 2026-07-22 11:58:09 979 405
“Water use across the Basin is fully compliant with the Sustainable Diversion Limits set by the Basin Plan,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC).

“It’s very clear that over-extraction is no longer the issue for the Murray-Darling Basin.”

]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/979/Media-Release.png page https://www.irrigators.org.au/news/media-releases/perfect-score-for-basin-levels-of-water-use/ 2026-07-16 01:22:00 978 405 13 July 2026, Canberra ACT: Communities in the Murray-Darling Basin are calling on the Federal Government to stop, after SunRice attributed major changes to Australian milling sites directly to slashed water for farming under the Basin Plan, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

“The industry has been warning the Federal Government of this exact risk for years, and now the worst-case scenario is unfolding,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC).

[continued]
]]> https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/978/Media-Release.png page https://www.irrigators.org.au/news/media-releases/sunrice-cuts-show-water-recovery-has-gone-beyond-tipping-point/ 2026-07-13 02:34:11