Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.
NIC membership continues to grow
The National Irrigators’ Council has continued its recent growth, with the Council welcoming two new members at its AGM in Canberra today. Southern Riverina Irrigators (NSW) and Sunraysia Citrus Growers (Vic) were both admitted as new members on top of the recent addition of Renmark Irrigation Trust (SA) and a further three corporate observer members. […] Read More…
Irrigators welcome Victorian food bowl funds
The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announcement confirming its $1 billion commitment to the upgrade of northern Victoria’s irrigation infrastructure. NIC CEO, Danny O’Brien said investments of this type were critical to enabling a strong future for irrigation districts and would help in achieving the balance necessary in the proposed Murray Darling […] Read More…
Basin Plan won’t help with food trade deficit
The revelation today that Australia now has a trade deficit in food and grocery manufacturing should be a warning sign to the Federal Government that it cannot afford to needlessly slash food production in the Murray Darling Basin. The National Irrigators’ Council said the release of the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s “State of the […] Read More…
Path clear now to consider the impacts on people
The National Irrigators’ Council says the path is now clear for a triple bottom line approach to the proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan. Commenting on the release of government legal advice on the Water Act 2007,NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said it was now up to the MDBA or Water Minister Tony Burke to put some […] Read More…
MDBA confirms it again – people don’t count under the Water Act
The Murray Darling Basin Authority has confirmed again today that it has no power to give equal consideration to the needs of the environment, food production and regional communities when setting new sustainable diversion limits. The National Irrigators’ Council said no further evidence was needed now that the Water Act is ill – equipped to […] Read More…
Focus on environmental efficiency welcomed
Irrigators have welcomed the Federal Government’s change of tone on water recovery in the Murray Darling Basin, saying that engineering works and measures can help deliver a better environment while reducing the need to remove water from rural communities. Minister for Regional Australia, Simon Crean and Minister for Water, Tony Burke have both highlighted the […] Read More…
Irrigators welcome Parliamentary review of Basin Plan impacts
The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the announcement of a Parliamentary inquiry into the social and economic impacts of the proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan but says its terms of reference must allow it to examine the Water Act2007 and consider amendments. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said the inquiry announced today by Ministers Crean, Burke […] Read More…
Consultation without information killing the process
The Murray Darling Basin Authority must immediately release the scientific and economic modelling behind its “Guide to the Proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan” if it is truly committed to genuine consultation with basin communities. The National Irrigators’ Council said Water Minister Tony Burke needed to understand it is impossible for the community to engage in […] Read More…
10 missing pieces the MDBA must address
he National Irrigators’ Council has outlined the first 10 issues it believes the Murray Darling Basin Authority must urgently address with its Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said while proposed cuts to water for productive use clearly failed to deliver balance between the needs of the environment and those of […] Read More…
Deliberate policy to depopulate inland Australia
Drastic new limits on the amount of water that can be used for food and fibre production in the Murray Darling Basin will be an unmitigated disaster for all Australians and must be rejected by the Federal Government and Water Minister Tony Burke. The National Irrigators’ Council said the proposed new sustainable diversion limits (SDLs) […] Read More…
Cotton Australia is looking for a Water Policy Officer
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…
PCT2027 Leadership Program webinar
Every organisation has someone with the potential to lead through complexity, inspire others and make a lasting difference. Who
comes to mind for you?
The Peter Cullen Trust is looking for the next cohort of emerging and established leaders to join our 2027 Leadership Program.
A webinar is being held on 25 Aug 2026 12:30 PM to find out more.
Read More…
Water professionals from across New South Wales will come together in Wollongong to explore practical solutions, fresh thinking and the
partnerships needed to tackle today's biggest water challenges.
Under this year's theme, Squeezing Every Last Drop: From Survival to Strength: No Excuses, No Waste. Do More with Less,
the program brings together government, utilities, local councils and industry leaders to share real-world insights you can take back to
your organisation. 17 - 19 August 2026.
Read More…
DCCEEW are hosting an online webinar at 10:30am AEST on 28 July 2026 - you can register
here.
The webinar will provide information to support participation in the current review of The Water Act 2007 (Cth) with the
release of a Review Discussion Paper.
This webinar will be recorded and will be available on our website following the event.
Read More…
Applications soon close for the first cohort's of the ARLF and MDBA Murray-Darling Leadership Program (MDBLP). The program aims
to bring together people from across the Basin who are ready to work beyond their own interests and contribute to something shared —
including strengthening understanding of how the Basin’s water resources are managed and why they matter.
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.
Read More…
New Basin Community Committee Members Wanted
The MDBA is seeking expression of interest applications for Basin Community Committee (BCC) Members that provide input to the MDBA on their activities.
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.
Read More…
Integrating Basin-Scale and Onsite Water Systems Webinar
In One Basin CRC up-coming webinar series explores integrating Basin-scale and onsite water systems with a joint partnership with One Basin CRC and One Water Program at Texas A&M University in the United States. In response to increasing water scarcity, climate variability, and growing agricultural and municipal water demands, integrated “One Water” approaches are gaining global traction.Hear more at the Webinar Thursday, 21 May 2026, at 10:00am. Read More…
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
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…
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Teams Meeting - RSVP for Link |
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The Pullman, O'Riordan St |
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Griffith, NSW |
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Griffith, NSW |
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Belvedere Resturant |
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.