NEWS & EVENTS

Office Closure
19 Dec '25

We're taking a short break to refuel and get ready for 2026.

The NIC Office will be closed from Monday, 22nd December 2025 until Monday 5th January 2026.

Analysis finds Governments additional water buyback spree is flawed
12 Dec '25

 NIC report reviewed the Federal Government’s purchases and found most have low environmental utility and cannot directly contribute to today’s environmental priorities in the Basin – despite costing taxpayers billions.“These additional water buybacks go beyond what was required to ‘bridge the gap’ to get Sustainable Diversion Limits in place for the Basin Plan,” said NIC CEO Zara Lowien “most of this additional water will not be able to be used as intended and unlikely to contribute to desired environmental outcomes”. [...] Read More…

Basin Plan blowout continues as failed projects open gap in Southern MDB
8 Dec '25

The amount of water that can be used in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin may need to drop by a further 255 to 355 gigalitres (GL) after 2026, as States remain behind on vital environmental projects, a new report finds

“Water use has drastically declined since the Basin Plan,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien “with one in three litres of irrigation water, now out of production and new Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) set by the Basin Plan in force". [...] Read More…

Water security for farming must be a focus
27 Nov '25

Farmers in the Basin are calling on the Federal Government to escalate water security for agriculture as a priority, following the findings of the Basin Outlook, published today which echoed findings from the National Climate Risk Assessment.

“All climate change scenarios will have significant risks on water security for Australian agriculture,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien “farmers are adapting every day to changing climate, but can only adapt so far, water security is critical” [...]

Read More…

WESA Outcome Review needed as $1.3 billion buyback blowout looms
26 Nov '25

The National Irrigators’ Council is calling for an independent review of program outcomes, after a statutory review on the Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) found an additional $1.3 billion would be needed to buy an additional 450 gigalitres, beyond what is required to achieve Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) in the Murray Darling Basin.

“The report findings call into question the Government focus on just water, with a $1.3 billion blowout, and their own science saying priorities have shifted” said NIC CEO Zara Lowien [...] Read More…

MDBA releases consultation material on Basin Plan Review
18 Sep

The MDBA have released consultation materials ahead of the upcoming Roundtable in Sydney - NIC will be attending.  

This purpose of this pack outlines the emerging policy directions for the Basin Plan Review. It is intended to support further engagement and does not represent settled positions or decisions. There will be six Rountable discussions  on:

• Optimising outcomes from environmental water (including constraints)
• Water resource planning and regulation
• At-risk SDL assessments and potential responses
• Northern Basin water management
• Water quality and native fish
• Climate risk and adaptive responses

Call for papers OzWater 2027
4 Sep

Australian Water Association is calling for Abstracts for OzWater 2027.

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
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…