NEWS & EVENTS

Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.

NIC Media Releases

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A long-term national, scientifically based, focus on maximising Australia’s ability to sustainably produce irrigated crops should be welcomed by every Australian who likes to eat and wear clothes, says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. He was responding to the pre-election announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister that, if re-elected, the Government intends to set […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the final report of the Independent Assessment of fish deaths on the Darling River (the Vertessy Report) and the Government response. CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Steve Whan, says “this is a report that is about acting to fix problems, not just about getting headlines, and that is […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says its members do not support, and NIC does not advocate, the New South Wales government pulling out of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. CEO Steve Whan said “NIC has 34 member bodies across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, overwhelmingly those members see the Basin Plan as […] …


The hypocrisy of South Australian Senator Rex Patrick is on full view again, as he rails against spending more to protect jobs in Murray Darling Basin communities, while at the same time being a vocal advocate of hundreds of billions in taxpayer’s money being spent to build submarines in South Australia. National Irrigators’ Council CEO, […] …


Allowing native fish the opportunity to move up and down a river system so they can breed might seem obvious, but it’s an obvious solution that too often, of late, has been forgotten in the rush to allocate blame. That’s why, says Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), the report released by […] …


National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan, says the Australian Academy of Science’s expert committee (requested by Labor) failed to provide balance in its hasty review of Basin Plan implementation issues. Steve Whan said “it is unrealistic to think that well researched conclusions, about a Basin Plan that has been years in the making (and has […] …


With only months to go until a Federal election the apparent slip in the bi-partisan support for the Basin Plan should cause concern to anyone interested in achieving this ambitious environmental reform. CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Steve Whan, says “the danger to the Plan comes, unfortunately, from the architects of the original Plan, […] …


Does anyone really think Government should tell farmers what they can grow, or ‘ban’ exports? Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council says the Centre Alliance’s ridiculous suggestion of banning cotton export is more in keeping with a soviet style command economy than an outward looking modern democracy. Steve Whan said “the bottom line […] …


Latest updates from NSW and Victorian water authorities confirm the dire impact of drought on irrigators in more than a dozen rivers across the Murray Darling Basin.  In NSW General Security water licence holders on the Murray, Lower Darling, Lachlan, Belubula, Macquarie Cudgegong, Lower Namoi, Gwydir, and Border Rivers all have zero allocation.  In Victoria […] …


“Royal Commissions have no magical powers, they are only as good as the information that goes in and the assumptions they make”, says Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators Council, talking about today’s release of the South Australian Basin Plan Royal Commission. Steve Whan said “unfortunately in this case one of the fundamental opinions, […] …


The National Irrigators Council has welcomed the release of the final Productivity Commission Report into the first five years of implementation of the Basin Plan, saying it should be the basis for action. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “this is a tough and comprehensive review and it starkly highlights some of the very difficult challenges […] …


Farmers, rural communities and the environment all suffer in a drought crisis but none will be helped by knee jerk changes to the Basin Plan, says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. “Unfortunately virtually every day this drought continues, we are seeing unwanted records, record low inflows, record lowest ever rainfalls and record high temperature […] …


Avoiding the tragic impact on native fish of low flows, extreme temperatures and algal blooms in the river system requires factual discussion and careful planning – says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “it is always difficult to see large fish kill events whether they are from drought, algal events or […] …


The need to agree a genuine test of socio-economic neutrality for efficiency programs is one of the big challenges of this Friday’s Murray Darling Basin Ministers’ meeting (in Melbourne), says Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC). Steve Whan said “Basin Ministers’ meetings are always important because the Basin Plan will not succeed […] …


ABC AUDIENCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION REPORT Background Briefing 3-part series Best laid plans: The Murray-Darling Basin in crisis 29 April, 6 May and 11 May 2018 ABC News Facebook Return Flows video post 26 April 2018 Complaints and scope of review Audience and Consumer Affairs received a total of five editorial complaints regarding Background […] …


The status quo just won’t do – that’s the message from irrigators to the Australian Energy Council (AEC) as they seek to justify cosy regulatory arrangements that see their industry rake in monopoly profits. National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan said “a couple of weeks ago we released a report from Sapere Research group which […] …


National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan says a ruling by the ABC’s Audience and Consumer Affairs unit upholding a complaint about coverage of the Murray Darling Basin plan by ABC’s Background Briefing is welcome and reinforces the need for balance in coverage. Steve Whan said, “NIC among others made complaints about a Background Briefing story […] …


Our energy network owners must be living in a parallel universe if they think Australia’s job generating agricultural sector should be pleased to be paying unjustified profits says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “last week NIC on behalf of the Agricultural Industries Energy Taskforce released a report that showed the energy […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) on behalf of the Agricultural Industries Energy Taskforce (the Taskforce) has released a damning independent report showing that profits made by electricity networks are more than $2.6 billion higher than they should be – meaning electricity bills are much higher than is justified, just with network costs. The independent report […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed strong action by Government to give regulators more teeth to crack down on excessive profits by electricity companies and ensure a genuine competitive market. CEO Steve Whan said, “the announcement by the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Energy Minister is a very welcome commitment to a strong follow-up on the […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council says its members support Government exploring all options to assist irrigators and other farmers affected by drought – within the current water rules. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “many irrigators are on zero allocations and that is very tough, we certainly appreciate local MPs and the Deputy Prime Minister being strong […] …


The Productivity Commission’s draft report following itsfive-year review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan provides a wake up call on some of the challenges regardingthe practical implementation of the Basin Plan, says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “it would be hard to argue with the draft report’s statement that the next […] …


National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, says the appointment of former AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty as the Murray Darling Basin “Northern Basin Commissioner”,is welcome. Steve Whan said “creating this oversight position was an important part of the agreement between the Government and the Opposition, that put the Basin Plan back on track, earlier this year. […] …


Locally grown, fresh and brought to you by an Australian irrigator – that’s the story of most fresh vegetables, fruit and nuts in your local market says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. “In fact” says Steve Whan “more than 84% of Australian vegetables (by $ value) are grown by irrigators, 84% of fruit and […] …


Argument and blame shifting must come to an end when energy Ministers meet this Friday to discuss the design of the National Energy Guarantee (NEG). National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan said “Friday’s meeting must mark the end of years of bickering over energy policy, which is undermining the nation’s agricultural competitiveness and putting at […] …


Jerilderie farmer, Louis Kelly, has sold his entire stock of 7,000 large bales of hay since May and he isn’t the only one if the huge number of trucks heading north from the Riverina and Murray are any indication. Louis Kelly’s fodder has gone to graziers in the Tamworth and Armidale areas. But Kelly is […] …


An independent report has confirmed that our food and fibre producers are paying up to $6,000 a year more than the real cost of supplying them power. The report, by Sapere research group, was commissioned by the Agriculture Industries Energy Taskforce with funding from Energy Consumers Australia. It is based on a survey of irrigators […] …


We callit “a failed market”, the ACCC calls it “largely broken”, either way today’s ACCC report into electricity prices makes it very clear that, if firm action is not taken, Australians will have less jobs, more expensive food and fibre and a loss of international competitiveness. That’s the view of National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) has welcomed the signing back into law of the Basin Plan’s Northern Basin amendment, with CEO, Steve Whan, saying it was a positive outcome of good work between Government and Opposition, to deliver for communities and the environment. Steve Whan said “the Northern Basin amendment is important for a couple […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan, says a Senate vote to approve an amendment to the Water Act was a strong show of bi-partisan political support for delivering the Basin Plan in full. Steve Whan said “thelegislation approved this week by the Senate enables the Minister to reintroduce amendments to the Basin Plan to […] …


A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Fresh Food Pricing has been told that that skyrocketing electricity prices and Government charges for irrigation water have a direct impact on the cost and availability of fresh food for NSW people. The National and NSW Irrigators’ Councils have made a joint submission to the inquiry. National Irrigators’ Council CEO, […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan, says Basin Ministers have listened to their communities in reaching a positive outcome from their meeting in Canberra. Steve Whan said “this week NIC and the National Farmers Federation wrote to Ministers calling on them to develop better socio-economic impact criteria for efficiency programs, and saying that there […] …


The Productivity Commission’s final report on progress of water reform (not to be confused with their review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan) has provided strong endorsement of some key policy priorities put forward by irrigators, along with some challenges for the sector, particularly outside the Murray Darling Basin. The report, dated December 2017, but […] …


One serve per day for 30 million people, for a full year,is what ABS figures (released this week) tell us Australia’s rice growers produced in 2016-17. ABS figures pointed to a year with more water availability and that meant production of annual crops, like cotton and rice, increased. Steve Whan said “one of the reasons […] …


Labor’s decision to vote to keep the Basin Plan going is a sensible move that enables everyone to get on with the tough job of implementation, says National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “the Basin Plan was introduced with bipartisan support in 2012 and it is a credit to Minister Littleproud and […] …


National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan says it should be crystal clear that people advocating a “pause” or “hold” on the Basin Plan, by voting down amendments in the Senate next week, are actually advocating ‘stop’ and no Plan. Steve Whan said “if the Senate votes down the amendments implementing the 605GL worth of projects […] …


Irrigators and irrigation communities bear 100% of the risk if the 36 Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) Adjustment Projects(soon to be voted on by Parliament) are not successfully implemented, that’s the message the National Irrigators Council has given the Productivity Commission’s review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “these 36 projects […] …


ABC AUDIENCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION REPORT Background Briefing 3-part series Best laid plans: The Murray-Darling Basin in crisis 29 April, 6 May and 11 May 2018 ABC News Facebook Return Flows video post 26 April 2018 Complaints and scope of review Audience and Consumer Affairs received a total of five editorial complaints regarding Background […] …


“There are very few winners when an irrigator is forced by high electricity network charges to install a diesel generator and go off grid” said National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan today in welcoming the Grattan Institute’s report ‘Down to the Wire: A sustainable electricity network for Australia.’ Steve Whan said “the Grattan Institute […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan today welcomed the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) decision to make the Regional Engagement Officer network a permanent feature. NIC has long advocated for the placement of regional engagement officers in Basin communities to ensure that water related agencies are better equipped to provide a local presence with […] …


Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators Council says he “welcomes action taken by NSW to take accusations of water theft against two Northern Basin irrigators to court. “Irrigators have zero tolerance for water theft, water theft rips off other irrigators as well as the environment, and it destroys community confidence. If these accusations are […] …


The failure of the Australian Greens to turn up for Senate Estimates Committee hearings into the Murray Darling Basin plan raises serious questions about the motivation for the party’s often incorrect and misleading media commentary. National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, said “Senate estimates met for four hours today grilling Commonwealth officials on the Basin […] …


The National Irrigators Council says the decision by a majority of Senators to disallow the Basin Plan amendment relating to the northern basin is a huge blow to better environmental outcomes and now threatens the whole basin plan. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said,”Senators have dealt a huge blow to small Northern Basin communities who have […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) is holding its council meeting in Dubbo this week, with members discussing the current Basin Plan issues, longer term planning for making the plan work and critical electricity and energy price problems. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “our members represent customer owned infrastructure operators, not for profit community based irrigators […] …


A vote in the Senate tomorrow to back Greens political point scoring and disallow basin plan amendments will blow up years of effort to restore the health of the Murray Darling. National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan, says,” today NSW and Victoria have put their frustration on the table. They have worked with their communities […] …


A statement to the Senate today from the Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young that ‘ environmental flows are lower than previously ‘ reveals the lengths of deceit the Greens will go to, to destroy the Basin Plan for their own political ends. CEO of the National Irrigators council Steve Whan said “Senator Hanson-Young’s statement can be […] …


Labor is destroying community goodwill on the basin plan with its stance backing basin plan opponents the Greens, says Steve Whan CEO of the National Irrigators Council. Steve Whan said “over the past 24 hours I have been inundated with messages from moderate people and community leaders who have been working to implement the basin […] …

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News & Media from Member Organisations


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.  …


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. 
…


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. …


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.  …


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. …


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/  …

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Upcoming Events

Past Member Events 

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

Climate, risk and water policy presentation

Microsoft Teams Meeting


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