NEWS & EVENTS

Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.

NIC Media Releases

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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 […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) says a decision by Labor to back a disallowance motion rushed on by the Greens tomorrow in the Senate will be a major blow to rural communities in Northern NSW and Southern Qld – as well as to the basin plan overall. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “I am appalled […] …


A group of academics campaigning for the Murray Darling Basin plan to be tossed out and restarted, offer our Federal MPs a stark choice, says National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “this week we have seen a narrow and ill-considered call from some environmental scientists to halt the basin plan.It’s a […] …


A meeting of agricultural groups representing irrigators and farmers, nationally and across four states, has reinforced the need to continue to fight for lower electricity prices if Australia is to remain an internationally competitive food and fibre producer. The meeting of the Agricultural Industries Energy Taskforce noted some positive steps on the electricity front over […] …


Taskforce background Taskforce established Sept 2014 in response to impact of rising electricity prices on viability of agricultural production Membership grown to around 14 agriculture industry organisations across Australia Cotton, sugar cane, wine, dairy, pork, winter crops, pasture for livestock industries. Energy cost increases threaten role of agriculture in producing the food and fibre consumed […] …


10 peak agricultural industry bodies are meeting this week to reinforce the message to State and Federal political parties that getting the, competition destroying,cost of power down must be a key focus for 2018. The groups are part of the Agricultural Industries Energy Taskforce,convened by the National Irrigators Council(NIC) which is been working to highlight […] …


A report by consultants Ernst & Young on the 450GL efficiency measures component of the Murray Darling Basin Plan has provided food for thought, and plenty of work for basin state Governments,says the National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan. The 450GL of efficiency measures are the component of the Basin Plan sometimes referred to as […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says a basin plan amendment, adjusting proposed Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDL) by 605GL, is critical, and has urged Federal Members of Parliament to put delivering the plan ahead of short – term political considerations. The Commonwealth Government announced the instrument had been registered, this week, also pointing out that it […] …


Australia’s irrigators have spent summer working hard to produce the fresh vegetables, fruit and nuts we’ve all enjoyed over the break says Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators Council (NIC). “One of the things Australian’s love about summer is being able to enjoy tables laden with fresh fruit, nuts, summer salads and plenty of […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the appointment of the member for Maranoa, David Littleproud to take on the role of Water Minister as part of the important Agriculture & Water Resources portfolio. NIC CEO Steve Whan said Mr Littleproud was taking over the portfolio at an important time during the implementation of the Murray […] …


National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, says today’s ministerial council meeting is a serious set back for a cooperative Murray Darling Basin plan. Steve Whan said “we called on Ministers to keep the plan on track by indicating unanimous support for the steps to which all Governments agreed in 2012. That meant providing support for […] …


National Irrigators’ Council(NIC) has urged ministers to take a balanced and constructive approach to the basin water ministers meeting in Albury tomorrow (Tuesday 19 December). NIC CEO, Steve Whan,says “recent media coverage on the basin has tended to focus on an overly negative view of progress. It is a view not supported by the evidence […] …


The Murray Darling Basin Authority’s first five year review of the Basin Plan has provided a sensible and realistic assessment of the plan and should provide a strong signal to all involved of the need to stay the course and implement the steps of the plan as envisaged in 2012. National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve […] …


National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, has described a media release by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young proposing to move disallowance of Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Measures (SDLAM), as a baffling misunderstanding of the basin plan. Steve Whan said,”no one is surprised that the Greens would move disallowance of anything to do with the Murray Darling […] …


National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan says the release of the Wentworth Group’s report into the Murray Darling basin plan is a relevant,though not ‘independent’, contribution to the implementation of the plan. Steve Whan said “as I said on the first two occasions the Group released findings, they have a legitimate role in advocating […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan, says the review of compliance by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and an independent panel, forms a basis for building an effective and trusted compliance system. “However,” Steve Whan said, “working through the detail, and implementing the basin plan, will be made much harder if hysterical […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) has joined celebrations of the first National Ag Day by highlighting the contribution Australian Irrigators make to our national economy and by welcoming an announcement of a grant under the ‘Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund.” NIC CEO, Steve Whan, says “the first National Ag Day is a great initiative from […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) has urged Parliament to adopt Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) recommendations from of the Northern Basin Review (NBR) which have been presented to the Minister. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “the Northern Basin Review was a thorough process, it proceeded as agreed when the plan received bipartisan support in 2012. […] …


Australian’s need irrigators if they are to have fresh vegetables, nuts and fruit and wine – that’s the clear message from recent ABS statistics, says National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. The recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production 2015 – 16 figures show that on dollar values 78% […] …


National Irrigators Council CEO Steve Whan says headline seeking comments from the Wentworth group are unhelpful to the task of achieving the basin plan, and dealing with the very difficult issue of removing constraints. Steve Whan said “the Wentworth Group has a legitimate role in advocating the environmental health of the Murray Darling Basin, but […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says the announcement of a new Federal energy policy including the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) is positive but says that the nation needs a bipartisan agreement on energy policy if the crisis is going to be relieved in the long term. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “the Government’s policy, including the […] …


The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) preliminary report on retail electricity pricing is a good start, and reveals the enormity of the task of restoring Australia to the position it should have; power as a competitive advantage – not disadvantage, says the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC). NIC CEO Steve Whan said “Australia’s power prices […] …


National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan, has expressed cautious optimism about the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) assessment of Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustment measures. SDL adjustment measures are designed to produce equal or better environmental outcomes without reducing reliability of supply to Murray Darling Basin water users. They are a key component of the […] …


Hard work by irrigators and irrigation communities is reflected in the achievements of the National water reform agenda highlighted in the Productivity Commission’s draft report delivered today. CEO of the National Irrigators Council, Steve Whan says “the Commission’s draft progress report on National water reform makes it very clear that a huge transformation has taken […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) has broadly endorsed the NSW Matthews’ report principles around compliance and greater transparency. CEO, Steve Whan said “at the time allegations on compliance in the Northern Basin were raised, I made it very clear that it was critical that everyone have confidence that water was going where it was intended. […] …


The drive toward even more efficient irrigation water use and world’s best metering standards will be enhanced by an MOU, signed this week, between Australia’s two leading irrigation industry bodies Irrigation Australia Ltd (IAL) and the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC). Australia’s irrigation sector is world leading when it comes to using the least possible water […] …


ABC Lateline attempts to portray Murray Darling Basin environmental water programs as a failure are unjustified says National Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan. The program made claims about the entire basin plan based on one single property and an allegation of an illegal structure. Steve Whan said “What the program did not make clear was […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council says that projected shortages of climate modellers raised last week by the Australian Academy of Science are a concern. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “irrigators, like all Australian primary producers, are at the mercy of our variable climate and our industry benefits if we are able to get quality projections. “Australia’s […] …


Agricultural groups say independent research that shows failure of regulation and monitoring is resulting in electricity prices ‘exceeding efficient supply costs’; confirms that the electricity market – at every level – is failing to work in the interests of consumers and the nation. Steve Whan, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, says “Australia’s energy price […] …


CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Steve Whan, says the Wentworth Group’s report on progress of the Basin Planis unduly pessimistic. Steve Whan said “the Wentworth Group raises some reasonable points in their brief report, but at the same time a number of their conclusions are hard to justify. “It is difficult to understand […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council says an announcement, by the Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment and Energy, of Federal Government action that may help bring energy prices down will be welcome news to all people interested in seeing Australia produce competitively priced food and fibre. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “irrigators have been making […] …


Basin Ministers emerged from their meeting today smiling and in agreement, sending a very positive signal to Basin communities that it is now possible to deliver the basin plan with no more buybacks in the Southern basin and a reduced recovery target in the Northern Basin. National Irrigators’ Council, CEO Steve Whan said “Basin water […] …


Friday’s meeting of Murray Darling Basin Ministers should see a crucial next step toward implementation of the Basin Plan says National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “the Basin Plan obviously has contentious elements and there is now substantial evidence to show that water buybacks have had very negative impacts on Basin […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says Friday’s Finkel report must set the stage for a return to certainty and lower electricity prices otherwise Australia risks pricing itself out of international markets. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “Government and the Australian people see agriculture, and particularly irrigated agriculture, as supplying fresh food for Asia, driving export […] …


The National Irrigators Council (NIC) says, meeting the promise that there would be no negative community impact is critical, if the so called ‘up – water’ component of the Basin Plan is to be delivered, and that makes Friday’s release by the Deputy Prime Minister of terms of reference for an independent study, an important […] …


It would be fair to say that, for irrigators, the budget continues to deliver expected programs and previously committed funding for Commonwealth State infrastructure, particularly as it relates to the Murray Darling Basin and National Water agendas. Some of the key decisions on resourcing for the agencies involved in water were announced in the Mid […] …


CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Steve Whan, says the organisation welcomes the Turnbull/Joyce Government’s ongoing commitment to the contribution irrigated agricultural production can make to Australia’s economic prosperity. Steve Whan said “the 2017 budget has met the commitments the Government has made with funding for water related programs, including resourcing for Commonwealth agencies […] …


The National and NSW Irrigators’ Councils have welcomed an Agriculture Industries Energy Taskforce submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry into “Modernising the electricity grid”, saying it highlights irrigators’ fears about “modernisation” being another excuse for exorbitant network costs. NIC CEO, Steve Whan, said “it is a blight on our system that Irrigators don’t feel […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) submission to the Productivity Commission’s triennial review of the National Water Initiative (NWI) says objectives can be achieved without reducing agricultural productivity, and in a way that more fairly allocates cost and risks NIC CEO Steve Whan said “irrigated agriculture is a vital contributor to providing the food and fibre enjoyed […] …


Australia will not achieve its goal of being a food bowl for Asia without a healthy, efficient and growing, irrigated agriculture sector the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has told a Parliamentary Inquiry. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources is holding an inquiry into water use efficiency in Australian agriculture. NIC’s […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan, says he welcomes the cautious optimism Basin Water Ministers seem to be expressing following their meeting in Mildura on Friday. Steve Whan said “with some rapidly approaching deadlines, irrigators and Basin communities still have a long way to go before they can feel secure about their futures, however […] …


Socio economic data from the Northern basin review should be seen as a gamechanger by Basin State Water Ministers, as they head into Friday’s Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Mildura, says National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “Ministers need to focus on outcomes for river health and the community […] …


CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Steve Whan, says the ABC’s 7:30 Report has nailed the dangers for rural communities of skyrocketing energy prices with rural reporter Lucy Barbour’s story last night. The ABC 7:30 Report story highlighted a tripling of electricity prices and the likely loss of jobs in Bundaberg. Steve Whan said […] …


Headline seeking commentary by ANU Water Economics Professor Grafton claiming ‘little to show’ for the money spent on the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) plan is selective and misleading says Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “last week Professor Grafton gained a few headlines attacking hard working irrigators and basin communities. He claims irrigators […] …


National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO Steve Whan says Irrigators’ submission to the ‘Finkel Review’ highlights the major changes that need to be made to the operation of the electricity market if Australian food and fibre producers are going to be able to continue to provide irrigated product for the Australian and international market. Steve Whan […] …


CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council(NIC), Steve Whan, says agreement from States to changing the power market’s “Limited Merits Review (LMR) process would be a positive first step toward reforming the industry to focus more on serving consumers and less on generating guaranteed super profits for network operators. Steve Whan said “unsustainably high electricity prices […] …

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News & Media from Member Organisations


The MDBA release the draft Determination for the SDLAM Reconcilation and has now opened consultation period until 1 November 2026. 

The Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) reconciliation is a statutory requirement under the Basin Plan (2012) (the Basin Plan). The MDBA are asking for feedback on the draft determination and the Authority’s proposed Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustments. …


Wednesday, 30th September between 10-11am MDBA presenters will bring together evidence, stakeholder feedback and emerging policy directions across a range of topics being examined through the review, including:

  • environmental water management
  • climate adaptation
  • native fish recovery
  • water quality
  • northern Basin issues
  • sustainable diversion limits.
Speakers will outline areas where evidence suggests there may be opportunities to improve Basin water management and identify options that warrant further discussion and testing.  The rountable materials will be the basis for the webinar as a broad consultation opportunity following the Rountables in Sydney.  …


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
…


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
…


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. [...] …


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. …

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Upcoming Events

Past Member Events 

NIC Networking and Thank You Dinner

Hotel Kurrajong
Barton, Canberra

NIC Member AGM and General Meeting

-
Old Parliament House
Barton, Canberra

Water Act Review Submission Feedback session 2

Teams Meeting - RSVP for Link

Water Act Review Submission Feedback session 1

Online meeting - via teams, register for link

DCCEEW NIC info session on International Agreements and the Water Act

Teams Meeting - RSVP for Link

NIC General Meeting

The Pullman, O'Riordan St
Gweagal room, Mascot, Sydney, NSW


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