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Basin officials have confirmed 14 environmental projects will be withdrawn from formal recognition under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan placing Southern Basin communities at risk of losing up to a further 355 GL of water through no fault of their own.

“The environmental outcomes from these projects cannot be achieved by ‘just adding more water’,” said CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Zara Lowien, “in fact, these projects are essential to actually use all the water the Government has already recovered from farmers.Withdrawing these projects is a lose-lose situation for communities and the environment." [...] …


Today's publication of the ‘What we Heard’ Report following public consultation on the Basin Plan Review shows a clear united message: priorities have shifted, move on from “just adding water”. “After three decades of reform focused on reducing diversions to rebalance towards the environment, it’s clear that priorities are now shifting to a broader range of issues that cannot be addressed by just adding water,” said National Irrigators’ Council CEO Zara Lowien [...] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has warned the Federal Government’s continued pursuit of additional water buybacks under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan risks becoming one of Australia’s most expensive environmental program without demonstrating that it delivers value to the Australian economy. 

A new NIC review has found the Government’s 450 GL additional environmental water program has moved well beyond its original budget and purpose, with taxpayers facing a potential multi-billion-dollar bill despite growing evidence that further water purchases are delivering diminishing environmental returns. …


NIC Media Release: Now Is The Time For Stability - Irrigators Submit To Basin Plan Review

23 April 2026, Sydney, NSW: The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) met in Sydney today to finalise a response to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review, issuing a sneak peek.

“The balance has been struck when it comes to sharing water, with three-decades of reforms shrinking the share for farmers by one-third,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien.

“The Government’s own science says there’s no need to further reduce water from farming, showing 92% of environmental indicators across the Basin’s rivers would not change.” …


A new podcast by The Rural Psychologist explores the question of how government decisions can effect the mental health and wellbeing of whole rural communities.  In this episode NIC CEO Zara Lowien, shares her in-sights and lived experience, explaining how government decisions in water can flow through a community, the benefits and impacts and why stability is needed to provide some certainty moving forward, in these increasingly uncertain times.   …

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News & Media from Member Organisations


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/  …


Registrations are now open for a free online information session being hosted by former head of ABC Rural Leigh Radford on Tuesday, February 25 2025, specifically for people involved in any aspect of agriculture, horticulture and food production. Starting at 6 pm (AEDT), the session will run for about an hour, with the opportunity to ask questions, gain helpful advice and be inspired by Churchill Fellows sharing their experiences and insights. The speakers include Tim Roache who travelled overseas in 2017 to investigate milk pricing models and ways to manage price risk in the Australian market.

A series of regional information sessions is also currently being rolled out at select locations across Australia, including Newcastle and Launceston (Feb 20), Toowoomba (Feb 27), Geelong (March 4), Bendigo (March 5), Cairns (March 6), and Broome and Bunbury (March 15).  …


Irrigation Australia Limited has released is new training calendar providing nationally accredited, industry qualifications and certifications and for future irrigation professionals that wish to join this ever-growing industry. We provide a unique blending learning experience, with courses running face-to-face and virtual classrooms. 

IF you have new staff or identify a skills gap yourself, check out what they have on offer with courses Australia wide.  …

Irrigation Australia Media Release: Murray system reaches full allocation before spring making river operators and landholders ‘

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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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