NEWS & EVENTS

Finalising the Murray-Darling Basin Plan
6 Dec '22

The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has released its new position statement on finalising the Murray-Darling Basin Plan with a renewed commitment to implementing the Plan in the best interests of regional communities. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been a success. It has provided balance between the needs of the productive […] Read More…

10 Years of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan & State of the Climate Report
6 Dec '22

The National Irrigators’ Council acknowledges the release of the State of the Climate report which timely coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has delivered ninety-eight percent of its surface water targets and over ninety percent of its groundwater targets. It has […] Read More…

Cost of Living to Increase: Minister Confirms Buybacks in Budget
28 Oct '22

Minister Plibersek has confirmed water buybacks are part of the undisclosed ‘significant funds’ allocated to finalising the Basin Plan in this week’s Federal Budget. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Minister has confirmed Canberra’s worst kept secret that the Government intends to enter the water market and buyback water used to grow our food and […] Read More…

Budget 2022: Secret Funds, Missed Opportunities and Energy Headaches
27 Oct '22

Wednesday 26 October 2022 Budget 2022: Secret Funds, Missed Opportunities and Energy Headaches The new Federal Government has delivered its first budget with a few surprises, including ‘significant funding’ which has been set aside for finalising the Murray-Darling Basin Plan – the problem is only the Government knows how much is allocated and what the […] Read More…

MinCo: Time to back our regions and our future
11 Oct '22

Eighteen months, four new Ministers and rising uncertainty oh to be a fly on the wall at the Ministerial Council (MinCo) meeting to be held in Canberra this week between Basin Water Ministers. NIC Chief Executive Officer Isaac Jeffrey said: “Even with four new ministers sitting around the table and eighteen months to prepare, MinCo […] Read More…

Joint Media Release - Water policy must be on the food security menu
18 Aug

Australia's food security strategy cannot ignore water as a critical input, according to irrigation industry leaders in Canberra attending the National Farmers Federation Summit today.

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. [...] Read More…

Cotton Australia is looking for a Water Policy Officer
10 Aug

Cotton Australia is looking for a Water Policy Officer to join their team. The role works closely with the General Manager, the CEO and other members of the Policy Team to ensure the cotton industry’s interests are well represented across water policy, planning and regulatory processes — engaging with stakeholders including the National Farmers’ Federation Water Committee, National Irrigators Council, Queensland Farmers’ Federation Water and Energy Policy Committee, New South Wales Irrigators Council, valley-based irrigator groups and Cotton Grower Associations. 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…

NIC launches 'The Current' a monthly free newsletter
30 Oct

National Irrigator's Council has launched a new free monthly newsletter called 'The Current'. 

Why the name? Because current is what we’re all about: water, current affairs, and staying ahead of the flow. And right now, a lot is moving — the Basin Plan and Water Act reviews, water security, and the future of the communities that grow our food and fibre. 'The Current' is our way of cutting through the noise: the news, insights and connections that matter, delivered straight to your inbox.  Sign up on our 'Contact Us' page.  Read More…

Weekly Times: Irrigators reveal77 percent of Murray-Darling water returns to the environment
21 Oct

Irrigators say just 23 per cent of the 37,828 gigalitres of average inflows into the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers and storages each year is being diverted for human use, with 77 per cent left in rivers, wetlands, and flood plains to support the environment.

The National Irrigators Council analysis of national water accounts, compiled by the Bureau of Meteorology from 2011 to 2025, show consumptive use has declined since the Basin plan was signed into law in 2012, when 28 per cent of the water was diverted by towns, agriculture and other industries.

“With more than three-quarters of the Basin’s available water remaining in rivers, the focus must shift from simply recovering more water to addressing the threats that are holding back river health,” NIC chief executive Zara Lowien said. (Source: The Weekly Times, by Peter Hunt)
Read More…

ABC: Government considers more buybacks
16 Oct

A draft Murray-Darling Basin report shows a massive water efficiency project will fall short of its target.

The federal government has not ruled out more water buybacks to try to deliver the water it promised for the environment.

Irrigators say further water buybacks would be devastating for agriculture and basin communities. (Source: ABC News, photo by Callum Flinn) Read More…