Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.
NIC Calls on States to Stop Hoarding Water
The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Tom Chesson said State Governments could do much more to save jobs as the impacts of low inflows and the successive ‘historic’ water reforms erode social and economic resilience in the Murray Darling Basin. “The Victorian Government could immediately direct Melbourne Water to use allocations attached to the 75,000 megalitres […] Read More…
Irrigators welcome Burke to water ministry
The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was amazed by the histrionics which has accompanied the announcement that at the Federal level water will be returning to the Agricultural portfolio.” The near hysterical response from some quarters warning of dire consequences shows a frightening lack of knowledge about how the Basin […] Read More…
Time for New Government to Act on Green-tape
The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was amazed by the histrionics which has accompanied the announcement that at the Federal level water will be returning to the Agricultural portfolio.” The near hysterical response from some quarters warning of dire consequences shows a frightening lack of knowledge about how the Basin […] Read More…
Histrionics Merchants need to get a grip
The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was amazed by the histrionics which has accompanied the announcement that at the Federal level water will be returning to the Agricultural portfolio.” The near hysterical response from some quarters warning of dire consequences shows a frightening lack of knowledge about how the Basin […] Read More…
Government must now focus on balance in the water debate
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Tom Chesson today welcomed the 1500 GL cap on water buybacks in the Murray – Darling Basin, secured into legislation through the Water Amendment Bill 2015. Mr Chesson said the Council had long pursued a campaign for a legislated 1500 GL cap and commended the Government for its commitment to irrigated […] Read More…
1500GL Cap on Water Buybacks Legislated
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Tom Chesson today welcomed the 1500 GL cap on water buybacks in the Murray – Darling Basin, secured into legislation through the Water Amendment Bill 2015. Mr Chesson said the Council had long pursued a campaign for a legislated 1500 GL cap and commended the Government for its commitment to irrigated […] Read More…
Irrigators cautiously welcome SDL stocktake
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Tom Chesson today welcomed the Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) Adjustment Stocktake Report released by the Murray – Darling Basin Ministerial Council. Mr Chesson noted that while progress towards the SDL Adjustment Mechanism is in its early stages, he said the report will nevertheless be welcome news for the irrigated agriculture sector.The […] Read More…
Budget a Mixed Bag for Irrigators
The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Tom Chesson said the failure to fund the Commonwealth Water Agencies including the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder beyond the 2016/17 forward estimates sent a very poor message to Murray Darling Basin communities about the Commonwealth’s long term commitment to the Basin Plan. “It is disappointing that when the former Prime […] Read More…
AER Network Determinations ‘Luke warm’ At best
The National Irrigator’s Council (NIC) today welcomed what could only be described as a ‘luke warm’ attempt by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to reign in out of control electricity prices. Chair of the National Irrigator’s Council Energy Committee, Dale Holliss said he was disappointed the cuts did not go further and said NIC would […] Read More…
Energy White Paper Fails to Tackle Real Challenges
Chair of the National Irrigators’ Council Energy sub – committee Dale Holliss today expressed disappointment in many aspects of the Federal Government’s Energy White Paper noting the complete omission of any reference to the network charging regimes of electricity companies’, a key factor in driving the unsustainable cost of electricity in the irrigated agriculture sector. […] 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…
Ambitious women urged to join ag leadership program
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…
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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 |
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Microsoft Teams Meeting |
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.