974
416
The 450 GL program has fundamentally changed since it was first conceived. The original budget has been exhausted, expected costs have
escalated significantly, the scope of the program has expanded, and new environmental evidence has emerged. Despite these material changes,
there has been no transparent reassessment of whether continued expenditure represents the most effective, efficient and economical
investment to achieve environmental outcomes and deliver benefits to the Australian economy [...]
]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/policy/murray-darling-basin-plan/review-of-additional-hew/
2026-06-17 23:24:12
973
405
A new NIC review has found the Government’s 450 GL additional environmental water program has moved well beyond its original budget and
purpose, with taxpayers facing a potential multi-billion-dollar bill despite growing evidence that further water purchases are delivering
diminishing environmental returns.
]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/news/media-releases/are-billions-at-risk-government-water-buybacks-fail-economic-test/
2026-06-17 23:13:10
972
415
The Board also wishes to inform Members of the 2026 -2027 fee structure. Increases have been managed closely to the March 2026
quarter Consumer Price Index, slight rounding was needed to keep the fee structure in whole dollars. This coming year, a new non-Murray
Darling Basin fee option is now available for all Membership categories enabling a discounted rate, when the proposed applicant's water
entitlement interests are located solely outside the Murray-Darling Basin. ]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/members-area/member-update/membership-fees-2026-2027/
2026-06-12 03:11:17
971
415
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/971/20260610-Water-Act-Review-UNDRIP.pdf
2026-06-10 01:42:00
970
415
Confluence is designed for leaders who already operate at scale and want to amplify their impact. In a time of complexity and
change, it offers a rare opportunity to step back from the day to day demands of leadership and focus on how to maintain and expand
influence.
Confluence creates a space to reflect, connect and lead with purpose in complex times. A place where ideas, experience and
perspectives converge to shape resilient futures. Reach out to Lesley at PCT via office@petercullentrust.com.au
]]>
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url
https://www.petercullentrust.org.au/executive-leadership-program/
2026-06-01 02:24:24
969
403
This is a leadership experience designed for people who care deeply about the future of the Basin and the communities, industries and water
dependent ecosystems it supports. To find our more - visit the webpage and lodge an expression of interest.
]]>
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url
https://rural-leaders.org.au/murray-darling-basin-leadership-program/?msdynmkt_trackingcontext=04a29b62-03db-4843-b31f-817316c20100#registerinterest
2026-06-01 02:10:26
968
403
New tenures and reappointments will begin in April 2027 for a 3-year term and nominations will undergo an extensive selection process
involving all Basin governments.
The Basin Community Committee, established under the Water Act 2007 (Cth), is chaired by Ms Rachel Kelly and includes
irrigation, environmental water and Indigenous water subcommittees.
]]>
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url
https://www.mdba.gov.au/news-and-events/newsroom/basin-community-committee-seeks-new-members
2026-06-01 01:56:59
967
415
Scheduled over two-half-days on Tuesday 13th October and Wednesday 14th October 2026, in Barton ACT. This is a
sitting week, so please book your travel early to save.
A Networking and Thank You Dinner will be held at Hotel Kurrajong on Tuesday, 13th October - a separate event with a trybooking link is
available under Member events. ]]>
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event
https://www.irrigators.org.au/event-rsvp/nic-member-agm-and-general-meeting/
2026-05-29 02:37:44
963
403
Thursday, 21 May 2026, at 10:00am.]]>
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url
https://awschool.com.au/training/integrating-basin-scale-water-systems/
2026-05-18 00:42:18
962
416
Wednesday 20th May 2026 | 4pm - 5pm.]]>
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url
https://rural-leaders.org.au/murray-darling-basin-leadership-program/
2026-05-15 00:34:00
961
415
Attached is a briefing note from NIC which is specific to the Water Portfolio items which are much less controversial but indicative that
water 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
savings 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.
]]>
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/961/20260513-BN-2026-Budget.pdf
2026-05-13 04:11:15
966
406
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/966/20260513-NIC-Submission-PC-National-Water-Inquiry-FINAL.pdf
2026-05-11 01:10:00
965
406
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/965/20260508-NIC-Submission-Menindee-Review.pdf
2026-05-08 01:05:00
960
415
We 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. ]]>
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/960/20260504-NIC-Submission-PC-National-Water-Inquiry-draft-for-comment.pdf
2026-05-07 04:02:53
959
415
Changes included adding clear statements on boundaries on what the vision for the Lakes must recognise, as well as including the final
agreed principles as recommendations. We included reference to the shepherding trial and clarity around the exiting multi jurisdictional arrangements now within the Water Act.]]>
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/959/20250507-NIC-Submission-Menindee-Review-V2-clean.pdf
2026-05-07 03:58:00
958
415
We will discuss this at our Drop In on Wednesday, and look forward to hearing your feedback then. ]]>
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/958/20260501-Draft-Postion-Statement-Climate-V3.pdf
2026-05-01 03:22:00
957
415
policy & strategy > Menindee Lakes.
We will discuss the draft submission at next weeks Drop-In, which is an opportunity to provide feedback.
Note: NIC received an extension to May 8th. ]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/members-area/strategy-and-policy-documents/menindee-lakes/
2026-05-01 03:17:00
956
418
Our submission has now been lodged.
]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/members-area/strategy-and-policy-documents/basin-plan-discussion-paper-response/
2026-04-29 03:15:06
955
405
23 April 2026, Sydney, NSW: The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) met in Sydney today to finalise a response to the
Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review, issuing a sneak peek.
“The balance has been struck when it comes to sharing water, with three-decades of reforms shrinking the share for farmers by one-third,”
said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien.
“The Government’s own science says there’s no need to further reduce water from farming, showing 92% of environmental indicators across the
Basin’s rivers would not change.”
]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/news/media-releases/now-is-the-time-for-stability-irrigators-submit-to-basin-plan-review/
2026-04-23 04:51:00
954
418
Thanks everyone for your input into this great fact sheet.]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/members-area/strategy-and-policy-documents/basin-plan-discussion-paper-response/
2026-04-20 23:41:08
953
415
We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney. Reminder, a casual breakfast will start from 7:30am prior to the meeting.
]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/members-area/meeting-documents/
2026-04-20 21:55:01
952
416
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url
https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries-and-research/water-reform-2026/faq/
2026-04-10 01:11:55
964
405
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url
https://www.buzzsprout.com/922864/episodes/19115061-farmer-ceo-zara-lowien-how-does-government-policy-making-and-decisions-affect-community-wellbeing
2026-04-06 01:02:00
951
415
REMINDER - 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
background and can be updated as needed with new information without Member approval. ]]>
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file
https://www.irrigators.org.au/media/website_posts/951/260325-Draft-Postion-Statement-Climate.docx
2026-04-02 07:02:20
950
418
Visit the Members Area to see the web version of the attached PDF.]]>
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page
https://www.irrigators.org.au/members-area/strategy-and-policy-documents/basin-plan-discussion-paper-response/
2026-04-02 00:41:59