NEWS & EVENTS

Media Release - Perfect score for Murray-Darling Basin levels of water use
16 Jul

A new report has found levels of water use across the Murray-Darling Basin are fully compliant with the Basin Plan’s Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs), which irrigators say shows ‘the job is done’.

“Water use across the Basin is fully compliant with the Sustainable Diversion Limits set by the Basin Plan,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC).

“It’s very clear that over-extraction is no longer the issue for the Murray-Darling Basin.”

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Media Release -SunRice cuts show water recovery has gone beyond the tipping point
13 Jul

13 July 2026, Canberra ACT: Communities in the Murray-Darling Basin are calling on the Federal Government to stop, after SunRice attributed major changes to Australian milling sites directly to slashed water for farming under the Basin Plan, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

“The industry has been warning the Federal Government of this exact risk for years, and now the worst-case scenario is unfolding,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC).

[continued]
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Basin projects withdrawn is a lose-lose for communities and the environment
2 Jul

Basin officials have confirmed 14 environmental projects will be withdrawn from formal recognition under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan placing Southern Basin communities at risk of losing up to a further 355 GL of water through no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

MR - Broad agreement on the need to move forwards in MDB
24 Jun

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 [...] Read More…

Are Billions at Risk? Government water buybacks fail economic test
18 Jun

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. Read More…

MDB Leadership Opportunity
1 Jun

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
1 Jun

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. 
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Integrating Basin-Scale and Onsite Water Systems Webinar
18 May

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…

Water Law Symposium
9 Feb

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
12 May '25

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
21 Feb '25

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…