NEWS & EVENTS

Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.

NIC Media Releases

Filter by year:


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) welcomed the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan2020 Evaluation, noting while goals are broadly being met, there is still work to be done. NIC Chairman Jeremy Morton acknowledged the work to date on implementing the Plan, butstated there were missed opportunities for the Evaluation to reinforce the triple bottom lineobjectives […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has appointed Isaac Jeffrey as ​its new Chief Executive Officer. “NIC is delighted to have Isaac Jeffrey join the Council as CEO. Isaac brings extensive private and public sector leadership experience with skills in government relations and complex policy development which are critical to navigating the challenging issues of water management […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has written to Basin Water Ministers ahead of their meeting on Friday calling for a focus on flexibility for ‘supply’ measures projects and an end to ‘black box’ decision making from Basin Governments. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “when we wrote to Ministers before their meeting in June we pointed […] …


More than 90% of Australia’s fruit, nuts and grapes; more 76% of vegetables, 100% of rice and more than 50% of dairy and sugar, came from irrigation in 2018-19 according to the latest release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The figures are based on gross value of farm gate product and come from […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has elected Moulamein rice farmer, Jeremy Morton, as its new chairman. Jeremy Morton steps into the role after long term Chairman, Gavin McMahon, from the Riverland in South Australia retired.  NIC CEO Steve Whan said “Gavin has been NIC chair for eight years and under his leadership the organisation has […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has joined other agricultural peak groups welcoming the federal budget commitment to growing and processing food and fibre in Australia. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “Australia’s irrigators produce more than 84% of our vegetables, fruit and nuts, along with rice, sugar, dairy and cotton, among other things.  Growing those products […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), convenors of the Ag Energy Taskforce, says the Government’s first low emissions technologies statement is an important cog in the wheel of offering agriculture the opportunity to benefit from, and contribute to, achieving Australia’s emissions goals. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “Minister Taylor was absolutely right about two key things […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the federal government’s $1.9 billion investment in new and emerging technologies focused on jobs, energy reliability and supporting industry capability to be part of Australia’s effort in reducing emissions.   NIC CEO Steve Whan said “We see the $1.62 billion injection of funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the announcements on implementation of recommendations from the “Sefton” panel and other reports, saying they will help to get frustrated elements of the Basin Plan back on track. NIC CEO, Steve Whan, said “when Minister Pitt took on the water portfolio, he promised us that he recognised the […] …


Transparency, more consistent information and streamlined administration. All worthy goals for Murray Darling Basin water markets, but goals that, over two decades, have proved difficult, says National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan was commenting on the release of the interim report into water markets from the ACCC, which foreshadows recommendations on improving […] …


Murray Darling Basin water ministers meet on Friday, and the National Irrigators Council (NIC) is saying they need to focus on getting critical ‘supply’ projects on track. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “irrigators have been expressing concern for some years about the possibility of missing the Basin Plan deadlines for implementing supply projects.  “These are […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says comment in media today, saying more water is being taken from the Murray Darling, are assertion, without factual support. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “the joint report talking about a so-called ‘rebound effect on water extraction’, makes an heroic leap from fact on individual farm water use, to unsubstantiated […] …


The report from the Interim Murray Darling Basin Inspector General on state water shares will disappoint some, but reveals hard reality, says Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators Council (NIC). Steve Whan said “the report tells us there is no new water – no miracle cure for a tortuous, and hard to understand, interstate […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) allocation of charges is inequitable, after infrastructure failures in Victoria left a South Australian Irrigation company with a 26,000% increase in, so-called, ‘ancillary charges’ between July 2019 and March 2020. The latest increased charges were passed through to customers after infrastructure failures in […] …

Show More

News & Media from Member Organisations


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. …


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. …


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. …

Show More

Upcoming Events

Past Member Events 

DCCEEW NIC info session on International Agreements and the Water Act

Teams Meeting - RSVP for Link

NIC General Meeting

The Pullman, O'Riordan St

DCCEEW Basin Plan Webinar

NIC Member only General Meeting - October

Griffith, NSW

NIC Members Annual General Meeting

Griffith, NSW

NIC Networking Dinner

Belvedere Resturant


Join Our Community

Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry.

Our Community
 Our Community


Website Disclaimer |  Privacy Policy |  Terms & Conditions