NEWS & EVENTS

NIC welcomes David Littleproud to water portfolio
20 Dec '17

National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the appointment of the member for Maranoa, David Littleproud to take on the role of Water Minister as part of the important Agriculture & Water Resources portfolio. NIC CEO Steve Whan said Mr Littleproud was taking over the portfolio at an important time during the implementation of the Murray […] Read More…

Basin setback from Ministerial meeting
19 Dec '17

National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, says today’s ministerial council meeting is a serious set back for a cooperative Murray Darling Basin plan. Steve Whan said “we called on Ministers to keep the plan on track by indicating unanimous support for the steps to which all Governments agreed in 2012. That meant providing support for […] Read More…

Ministers can put basin plan back on track
18 Dec '17

National Irrigators’ Council(NIC) has urged ministers to take a balanced and constructive approach to the basin water ministers meeting in Albury tomorrow (Tuesday 19 December). NIC CEO, Steve Whan,says “recent media coverage on the basin has tended to focus on an overly negative view of progress. It is a view not supported by the evidence […] Read More…

5 Year Review’s ‘stay the course’ message sensible
13 Dec '17

The Murray Darling Basin Authority’s first five year review of the Basin Plan has provided a sensible and realistic assessment of the plan and should provide a strong signal to all involved of the need to stay the course and implement the steps of the plan as envisaged in 2012. National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve […] Read More…

Hanson-Young’s basin strategy equals shut down of Barossa & Renmark Irrigation
12 Dec '17

National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, has described a media release by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young proposing to move disallowance of Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Measures (SDLAM), as a baffling misunderstanding of the basin plan. Steve Whan said,”no one is surprised that the Greens would move disallowance of anything to do with the Murray Darling […] Read More…

Avoid headline seeking and Wentworth report could be useful
30 Nov '17

National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan says the release of the Wentworth Group’s report into the Murray Darling basin plan is a relevant,though not ‘independent’, contribution to the implementation of the plan. Steve Whan said “as I said on the first two occasions the Group released findings, they have a legitimate role in advocating […] Read More…

Fix compliance dont punish communities
26 Nov '17

The National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan, says the review of compliance by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and an independent panel, forms a basis for building an effective and trusted compliance system. “However,” Steve Whan said, “working through the detail, and implementing the basin plan, will be made much harder if hysterical […] Read More…

Irrigators welcome AgDay
21 Nov '17

The National Irrigators Council (NIC) has joined celebrations of the first National Ag Day by highlighting the contribution Australian Irrigators make to our national economy and by welcoming an announcement of a grant under the ‘Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund.” NIC CEO, Steve Whan, says “the first National Ag Day is a great initiative from […] Read More…

Irrigators urge Parliament to support Northern Basin Review recommendations
10 Nov '17

The National Irrigators Council (NIC) has urged Parliament to adopt Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) recommendations from of the Northern Basin Review (NBR) which have been presented to the Minister. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “the Northern Basin Review was a thorough process, it proceeded as agreed when the plan received bipartisan support in 2012. […] Read More…

ABS stats show irrigators produce 78 per cent of our vegies
9 Nov '17

Australian’s need irrigators if they are to have fresh vegetables, nuts and fruit and wine – that’s the clear message from recent ABS statistics, says National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. The recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production 2015 – 16 figures show that on dollar values 78% […] Read More…

Water Law Symposium
9 Feb

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.  Read More…

AICD Scholarship opportunities
12 May '25

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. Read More…

Ambitious women urged to join ag leadership program
21 Feb '25

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/  Read More…