NEWS & EVENTS

Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has warned repeatedly that the future of the Nations’ food bowl was resting on the implementation of Murray Darling Basin Plan and unless it was properly resourced it would become a complete shambles. “Over $12 billion of taxpayers funding has been allocated to recover water, yet funding to implement and […]


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) said the future of the Nations’ food bowl was resting on the implementation of Murray Darling Basin Plan and unless it was properly resourced it could become a complete shambles. “Today Senior Murray Darling Basin Officials are meeting in Canberra to discuss the future of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, […]


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) said the future of the Nations’ food bowl was resting on the implementation of Murray Darling Basin Plan and unless it was properly resourced it could become a complete shambles. “Today the MDB Ministers are meeting in Canberra to discuss the finer details of the Intergovernmental Agreement, including funding,” NIC […]


The National Irrigators’ Council said the river doesn’t care how water is recovered and capping water buy – backs in legislation will go a long way to delivering a better basin plan. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson today welcomed the fact that some Members of Parliament are prepared to put their communities first. Mr Chesson said […]


The Basin Plan has failed to legally protect communities from the ‘downsides’ of water back – backs, and communities will have to put their trust in the goodwill of politicians, the CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, (NIC) Tom Chesson said today. “NIC has repeatedly asked the Government to back up its own acknowledgement ‘you […]


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has sceptically welcomed today’s announcement of additional funding for infrastructure within the Murray Darling Basin. “The commitment to additional funding, and the achievement of water through infrastructure is welcome, but we are far from convinced that the government will be able to effectively remove the capacity constraints,” NIC CEO, Tom […]


The latest modelling from the MDBA is a political con job that has no basis in reality and will be used as a pawn in a political game to appease the South Australian Government. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said the modelling released today is a political fix for a political […]


The latest decision to cut funding for the Native Fish Strategy is just another odd decision in a long line of questionable calls, the CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Tom Chesson said today. Mr Chesson said that when it comes to decision making for the environmental health of the Murray Darling Basin, contradictory […]


News that the MDBA wants to change the Benchmark modelling it has used to calculate the amount of water it will recover from Basin communities is creating concern throughout the Basin,the CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said today. “Changing the Benchmark modelling after the Basin Plan has been approved by the Parliament […]


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today said the latest incarnation of the proposed Basin Plan will leave many Basin Communities feeling they have been ignored again. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said whilst there were some welcomed inclusions in the latest version of the proposed Basin Plan, the crocodiles lurking in the details were making support […]

News & Media from Member Organisations


Legalwise is again holding their annual Water Law Symposium in Sydney.
As water law continues to evolve in response to environmental challenges, policy reform and heightened regulatory scrutiny, secure expert guidance on key legal and strategic issues shaping Australia’s water governance framework. You will gain insights into the lessons of the past decade in water reform, the intersection of Indigenous rights and governance, and the design of the Basin Plan Review. 


The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) has recently opened applications for their Not-for-Profit Scholarship programme for 2025-2026.  This program will allow up to 375 NFP leaders the opportunity to deepen their understanding of governance principles. Scholarship recipients will be invited to enrol in scheduled Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors courses available in capital cities across Australia or courses taking place in these seven regional locations.  For more information, see their website with applications due 15 June 2025.


Women with leadership ambitions are urged to apply to the popular Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP).  The initiative is run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and is now entering its eighth year. Twelve women will be selected for the 2025 program.  Applications open Monday, 24 February and will remain open for one month. 

For more information visit https://nff.org.au/programs/diversity-in-agriculture-leadership/ 

Upcoming Events

NIC General Meeting

Past Member Events 

DCCEEW Basin Plan Webinar

NIC Member only General Meeting - October

Griffith, NSW

NIC Members Annual General Meeting

Griffith, NSW

NIC Networking Dinner

Belvedere Resturant

Climate, risk and water policy presentation

Microsoft Teams Meeting

NIC Members General Meeting - July

Old Parliament House


Join Our Community

Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry.

Our Community
Our Community


Website Disclaimer |  Privacy Policy |  Terms & Conditions