NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
This week Farmers for Climate Action published a new report: The Cost of Climate Change at the Checkout.
This report shows 65% of Australians polled agreed that on-farm climate impacts are the top reason for increased food prices.
Something to bear in mind as we approach the Basin Plan review, with its focus on climate change.
Click to see the full report.
Following our Member Drop in on 7 May, the team have taken feedback to re-work our 2018 Cultural Water policy and added a few new positions, into our new DRAFT Position Statement - enabling Cultural objectives in water management. This is very much open for feedback, via our scheduled drop in session on 4 June or directly to Christine via email or phone call.. Remember the new template has the 'blue box' as the Member agreed wording with all other text readily updatable. All feedback welcome before the 9th June, to allow time to circulate a final prior to the July General Meeting.
We're looking to grow our social media presence, and need your help!
If you have Instagram:
1) Give us a follow @nat_irrigators
2) If you're posting some content relevant to NIC, invite us to collaborate (or tag us)!
If you do or don't:
3) Send us some videos! Videos of your local area, farms, rivers - it doesn't have to be polished, we can edit it up for a
reel. Portrait mode is preferred. To share - you can send via text/WhatsApp/instagram message, or if high-quality, DropBox or WeTransfer
(we're happy to help!).
Content ideas and suggestions always welcome :)
14th May 2025, Canberra, ACT: The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) congratulates Murray Watt on his appointment as the Minister for the Environment and Water, saying this is an opportunity for new leadership to put policy above politics and partnerships over partisanship. “Until recently, water management in Australia has had a long history of bipartisanship across politics. We hope under new leadership... we can see a return to respectful and constructive water policy solutions, that can once again rise above politics,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien. [...]
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.
The new cabinet has been announced!
See the full Ministry list here.
The NIC is finalising their incoming briefs for our new Minister for Environment and Water as well as, continuing Minister for
Agriculture.
The NIC recently provided DCCEEW with feedback into the Exposure Draft for Water Amendment (Water Markets Intermediaries Code and Trust Accounting Framework) Regulations 2025 as part of the ongoing consultations on the matter. NIC acknowledges the commitment of the Water Market Reform team to consider the feedback throughout the multiphase engagement. However, we offer the following as considerations for further clarity within the proposed regulations as well as recommendations regarding the timing of the regulations. [...]
The MDBA and Alluvium Consulting are conducting a review of the effectiveness of the Environmental Watering Plan (and targets in Sch 7
of the Basin Plan) - and a survey is now live to collect feedback (click icon for link). We encourage members to participate in the
survey! The survey will close on 4th April 2025.
We will provide some guidance for your consideration via email.
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) calls on all parties and independents to re-dress this week’s budget fails during the Federal Election campaign and commit to safeguarding Australia’s food and fibre future for the benefit of all Australian’s. NIC CEO, Zara Lowien said, “During this week’s budgets both sides of government claimed they want to strengthen our economy and build Australia’s economic resilience, but neither provided any real plan to harness Australia’s world-leading water management systems and technologies to secure our nation’s future”. [...]
The team will be monitoring election commitments on water and agriculture by the major parties and others, throughout the Federal Election. Any announcements and insights will be available on our dedicated Members page.
Irrigators have joined the chorus of farming and small business groups calling out the mixed messaging and missed opportunities for agriculture, regional businesses and communities in this year’s budget. “This week’s budget is confusing to anyone wanting to buy locally grown, green, food and fibre”, said Zara Lowien, CEO of National Irrigators’ Council (NIC). [...]
NIC Members agreed to a Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) Reconciliation Position Statement following the release of
the MDBA's SDLAM Reconciliation Framework.
This position statement was prepared in conjunction with our Murray-Darling Basin Position Statement, our Constraints Management Position
Statement and our guiding principles.
Approved 20 March 2025.
NIC Members agreed to an update to the Constraints Management Position Statement following the release of the MDBA's Constraints Roadmap.
This position statement was prepared in conjunction with our Murray-Darling Basin Position Statement and our guiding principles.
Approved 20 March 2025.
NIC Members prepared an updated Position Statement regarding key principles to be considered by Governments when finalising the Murray
Darling Basin Plan.
These were prepared in conjunction with our Guiding Policy Principles.
Approved 20 March 2025.
NIC recently commenced a work program investigating compensation provisions in response to the unique opportunity to seek changes to the
Risk Assignment Framework (RAF) in the NWI/NWA, and due to concerns from some members of the problems with how the RAF is being used (most
notably, in NSW). The NIC Board decided to establish a Sub-Committee to discuss and provide advice to contribute to informing the NIC
approach given the complexities of the issues around different states and the pace at which negotiations may move with the NWA. However,
the work so far has uncovered a few larger issues that will take longer to explore..
The following information is now prepared for Members input
The meeting documentation for our Member Meeting, next week on Thursday 20th March are now available.
The papers include three special resolutions to approve the recommended Position Statements for the Murray Darling Basin Plan, the Constraints Management and the SDLAM Reconciliation Framework - thank you to everyone who provided feedback to progress these
important positions.
All information and attachments are available within the Members Area.
Noting, one background paper titled Compensable or Compromisable: A critical review of the adequacy of compensation arrangements for
water access entitlements in Australian jurisdictions underpinning water property rights has not been included in pack as it was too large. This
must be downloaded from the Members Area.
We have prepared two updated policy positions (Basin Plan implementation and constraints) and one new policy position (SDLAM reconciliation) as part of our policy renewal program. These are scheduled to be recommended for adoption at the upcoming March
General Meeting. Before we can do that its important we hear from you on these matters.
Feedback on the drafted positions can be provided in writing to either Christine or Zara, or via conversation or at the Member Policy Discussion sessions scheduled on Wednesday 12th March at 11am-12pm ESDT (NOTE CHANGE OF TIME DUE TO OTHER WEBINARS).
Please provide feedback prior to 13th March, so we can incorporate prior to sending out a recommendation to Members prior to the General
Meeting.
DCCEEW today released the Exposure Draft of the Water Markets Intermediaries Code (the Code) and an Overview of the draft are now available for consultation. On this page you will be able to submit your feedback on the Exposure Draft. The consultation will be open until 11.59pm on Sunday 6 April 2025. The Exposure Draft incorporates feedback from the Policy Position Paper consultation in November-December 2024.
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.