NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASES

Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry

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

  •         A larger 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”.
  •         A summary Briefing note for Members ‘Approaching concerns over the Risk Assignment Framework’ attached and available here.

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.

The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today launched its Federal Election platform, urging all parties and independents to commit to securing Australia’s water future and investing in actions to restore our rivers whilst supporting agricultural productivity and rural communities. NIC CEO, Zara Lowien said, “Two-decades of water reform means Australian water management system is world-leading but to secure our nation’s future, we must look to new ways of ensuring sustainability and secure water for agriculture”. [..]

Please RSVP using the link for our Member Networking Dinner on 19th March 2025, planned for Sirocco Restaurant, Crowne Plaza.

NOTE there is a two-step process to RSVP, firstly through the website then you will receive a TryBooking link to purchase your dinner ticket.


The draft Agenda has been set for our upcoming General Meeting on 20th March 2025, at the Pullman at Sydney Airport.

We propose to have three Special Resolutions on Policy Positions for the Murray Darling Basin Plan, Constraints Roadmap and SDLAM Reconciliation which we have prioritised as critical statements to deliver to a new Federal Government.

We will also welcome a joint presentation from NSW DCCEEW and the MDBA on Menindee Lakes to gain a better understanding of each of the reviews, projects and new management tools being used and or proposed for the Lakes.

DCCEEW have released their Final policy position paper on the Water Market Information, including pre-trade data adn obligations for registering trades.  This information sets the policy positions to be incorporated into the regulations in coming months, for implementation in a staged approach over 2026 and 2027.  For more information visit the Department webpage.  Click the link to see the document. 

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