NEWS & EVENTS

MR - New Report Released for National Water Week
Today

A new report by National Irrigators’ Council launched for National Water Week, has found that just 23% of the total water available in the Murray-Darling Basin is diverted for human use, while 77% remains non-diverted and in rivers.

“Water is life – supporting healthy rivers, productive farms and strong communities. This National Water Week, it's important we recognise how much the Basin has changed and what that means for its future,” said National Irrigators' Council CEO Zara Lowien. [...] Read More…

NIC Media Release - Buybacks are not the answer in the Murray Darling Basin
15 Oct

Basin communities have responded to the Water Amendment (Ending Further Murray-Darling Basin Water buybacks) Bill 2026 introduced in parliament today, saying “it’s time to move beyond ‘just adding water’”. 

“The science is clear, restoring the remaining environmental challenges in the Basin cannot be solved by “just adding water””, said CEO of National Irrigators' Council, Zara Lowien. Read More…

Media Release - New evidence, old solutions: Basin Communities at risk
2 Oct

Southern Basin communities risk losing a further 265 GL of water according to a new Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) report, unless the Federal Government changes course and puts today’s evidence ahead of past politics. 
“These communities have endured 30 years of reform, already losing 1 in 3 litres of water from farming, who are now hearing they risk a further 265 GL, on top of the 450 GL the Federal Government is already out purchasing,” NIC CEO Zara Lowien said. “It’s time to move beyond ‘just adding water’ to the environment, today’s environmental challenges need the right tools, and farmers and communities need stability.” [...] Read More…

Media Release - Enough is enough, the NIC message from the Bush Summit
27 Aug

The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) sent a clear message at the National Bush Summit: ‘enough is enough’ of taking water away from farmers. 

“Communities are at tipping point right around the Basin,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of NIC, after 1 in 3 litres of water has been removed from farming over more than 30 years of reform. [...] 

  Read More…

Joint Media Release - Water policy must be on the food security menu
18 Aug

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. [...] Read More…

MDBA opens consultation on SDLAM
2 Oct

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. Read More…

MDBA Emerging Issues Webinar
29 Sep

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.  Read More…

MDBA releases consultation material on Basin Plan Review
18 Sep

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

Read More…