NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
The Australian Government is seeking feedback on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) training and large data centres in
Australia.
The consultation topics speciically include sustainable water use.
Consitlation commences today, with submissions due by Friday 9 October 2026.
NIC have been working on a Water Security and Climate report which is now available to review titled 'Certainly uncertain: A report on water
security in a variable and changing climate in the MDB'.
This report aims to provide evidence of the existing climate mechanisms, to avoid needing further change and puts a number of key
recommendations on the Basin Plan, Water Act and within drafted NIC Policy Position Statements in one document. The report also raises a
clear case about the role of water policy and other levers, in helping to achieve water security as a policy objective - walking the line of
why international definitions are not appropriate.
We welcome feedback and comment on this report by 5th October to allow time to incorporate and release in and around our General Meeting if needed.
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:
Please see the updated Menindee Statement for FINAL review. This Position Statement are the key Menindee specific elements from our
Menindee Principles used for our Submission earlier this year.
The engagement principles, we are working into a Guideline for more general use.
We intend to present this as a Special Resolution at the General Meeting, which has a deadline for communication next week. Final comments are due ASAP.
Following our Water Act Submission and in support of our previously drafted Climate Uncertainty Position Statement, we prepared a draft
Water Security and Climate Change report. To stregthen this report, we are proposing some minor amendments to the draft NIC Climate
Ressilience and Water Security Position Statement (previously Climate Uncertainty) to be discussed at the General Meeting. We would
like to here FINAL feedback ASAP, as we will decide to finalise this as a Special Resolution for approval that has a deadline next week.
Please see the updated version here which has the amended text in red (new or removed).
Key is the new position on "Australia’s unique climate and highly variable water availability requires a uniquely Australian approach
to water security...
DCCEEW has released an updated 2026-27
Trading Strategy Addendum for the Bridging the Gap program. It lists the catchments with a remaining gap to be bridged and includes key dates for upcoming tenders.
As of 30 June 2026, 9.0 GL/y remains to bridge the gap in full across five catchments: surface water in the NSW Border Rivers, NSW Murray,
Lower Darling and Lachlan, and groundwater in the Queensland Condamine-Balonne. Gaps in the NSW Murray, Lower Darling and Lachlan have only
occurred due to changes in NSW LTDLEs.
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
NIC provided their final submission into the Indepedant Reviewer for the Statutory Review of the Water Act.
Key points included ensuring the Water Act reflects the constitutional arrangements for water, reshaping the Act to reflect the changed roles of the Murray Darling Basin Plan from a plan of recovery to management and ensuring the froundations of water management framework, agreed in 2004 are reflected in legislation.
Following the two feedback sessions, an updated Final Draft is available for Members on the Water Act Review Submission.
A massive efffort today by the team to pull this together.
Feedback is welcome but must be early Monday to allow the submission to be lodged. There are no extensions.
Minor checking and AI analysis of messaging will occur Monday before lodging, so there maybe minor changes.
The NIC Team have prepared a brief two-pager pro-forma that can be used to highlght key points relating to the current preapration of the Water Act Submission. We hope this is helpful to send your own Members or to highlight key areas to support our own.
Either use this as a letter template or use the key headings as the core key messages to convey.
An updated draft of our full submission is due today.
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. [...]
NIC is hosting two online feedback sessions on the draft Water Act Review Submission. This is to maximise opportunity for Members to
provide direct feedback.
Only one session needs to be attended, but you are welcome to both.
Session 1 - Monday 24th August 1:30pm-2:30pm
Session 2 - Thursday 27th August 10am-11am
Click this link to RSVP and receive the Teams link for Session 2.
NIC is hosting two online feedback sessions on the draft Water Act Review Submission. This is to maximise opportunity for Members to
provide direct feedback.
Only one session needs to be attended, but you are welcome to both.
Session 1 - Monday 24th August 1:30pm-2:30pm
Session 2 - Thursday 27th August 10am-11am
Click this link to RSVP and receive the Teams link for Session 1.
The Peter Cullen Trust is inviting Expressions of Interest from outstanding leaders to join our Board of Directors which will help shape the next phase of the organisation but also future leaders in water, environment and climate.
The position is voluntary but offers the opportunity to provide your voice and experience in the direction of one of NIC Partner
organisations.
EOI close 25 September 2026. More information is available by clicking the link.
The Australia Government together with State and Territories have agreed to released the proposed new National Water Agreement following the recent National Cabinet Meeting.
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. [...]
A first Draft following initial Member discussions has been preared for the Water Act Review Dicussion Paper response.
Please review and consider feedback, preferably in tracked changes. A Policy drop in session will be held to work through feedback
also.
This is a frist Draft, we expect further additional work in a few areas including the inclusion of data from our proposed survey on water
information. We will also be cross checking our Basin Plan submission table to the recommendations to ensure we have captured
everything.
A lot is changing in water and water-related businesses and National Irrigators' Council is changing too.
We have introduced new membership options recognising that organisations are structured differently and may already contribute to NIC
through local or valley representation. Our structure also provides options for organisations with operations outside the
Murray–Darling Basin,
making direct national representation more accessible while recognising existing contributions.
Is now the time to explore our options?
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.