NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
The National Irrigators’ Council says an announcement, by the Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment and Energy, of Federal Government action that may help bring energy prices down will be welcome news to all people interested in seeing Australia produce competitively priced food and fibre. NIC CEO, Steve Whan said “irrigators have been making […]
Basin Ministers emerged from their meeting today smiling and in agreement, sending a very positive signal to Basin communities that it is now possible to deliver the basin plan with no more buybacks in the Southern basin and a reduced recovery target in the Northern Basin. National Irrigators’ Council, CEO Steve Whan said “Basin water […]
Friday’s meeting of Murray Darling Basin Ministers should see a crucial next step toward implementation of the Basin Plan says National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “the Basin Plan obviously has contentious elements and there is now substantial evidence to show that water buybacks have had very negative impacts on Basin […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says Friday’s Finkel report must set the stage for a return to certainty and lower electricity prices otherwise Australia risks pricing itself out of international markets. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “Government and the Australian people see agriculture, and particularly irrigated agriculture, as supplying fresh food for Asia, driving export […]
The National Irrigators Council (NIC) says, meeting the promise that there would be no negative community impact is critical, if the so called ‘up – water’ component of the Basin Plan is to be delivered, and that makes Friday’s release by the Deputy Prime Minister of terms of reference for an independent study, an important […]
It would be fair to say that, for irrigators, the budget continues to deliver expected programs and previously committed funding for Commonwealth State infrastructure, particularly as it relates to the Murray Darling Basin and National Water agendas. Some of the key decisions on resourcing for the agencies involved in water were announced in the Mid […]
CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Steve Whan, says the organisation welcomes the Turnbull/Joyce Government’s ongoing commitment to the contribution irrigated agricultural production can make to Australia’s economic prosperity. Steve Whan said “the 2017 budget has met the commitments the Government has made with funding for water related programs, including resourcing for Commonwealth agencies […]
The National and NSW Irrigators’ Councils have welcomed an Agriculture Industries Energy Taskforce submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry into “Modernising the electricity grid”, saying it highlights irrigators’ fears about “modernisation” being another excuse for exorbitant network costs. NIC CEO, Steve Whan, said “it is a blight on our system that Irrigators don’t feel […]
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) submission to the Productivity Commission’s triennial review of the National Water Initiative (NWI) says objectives can be achieved without reducing agricultural productivity, and in a way that more fairly allocates cost and risks NIC CEO Steve Whan said “irrigated agriculture is a vital contributor to providing the food and fibre enjoyed […]
Australia will not achieve its goal of being a food bowl for Asia without a healthy, efficient and growing, irrigated agriculture sector the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has told a Parliamentary Inquiry. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources is holding an inquiry into water use efficiency in Australian agriculture. NIC’s […]
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan, says he welcomes the cautious optimism Basin Water Ministers seem to be expressing following their meeting in Mildura on Friday. Steve Whan said “with some rapidly approaching deadlines, irrigators and Basin communities still have a long way to go before they can feel secure about their futures, however […]
Socio economic data from the Northern basin review should be seen as a gamechanger by Basin State Water Ministers, as they head into Friday’s Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Mildura, says National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “Ministers need to focus on outcomes for river health and the community […]
CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Steve Whan, says the ABC’s 7:30 Report has nailed the dangers for rural communities of skyrocketing energy prices with rural reporter Lucy Barbour’s story last night. The ABC 7:30 Report story highlighted a tripling of electricity prices and the likely loss of jobs in Bundaberg. Steve Whan said […]
Headline seeking commentary by ANU Water Economics Professor Grafton claiming ‘little to show’ for the money spent on the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) plan is selective and misleading says Irrigators Council CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “last week Professor Grafton gained a few headlines attacking hard working irrigators and basin communities. He claims irrigators […]
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO Steve Whan says Irrigators’ submission to the ‘Finkel Review’ highlights the major changes that need to be made to the operation of the electricity market if Australian food and fibre producers are going to be able to continue to provide irrigated product for the Australian and international market. Steve Whan […]
CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council(NIC), Steve Whan, says agreement from States to changing the power market’s “Limited Merits Review (LMR) process would be a positive first step toward reforming the industry to focus more on serving consumers and less on generating guaranteed super profits for network operators. Steve Whan said “unsustainably high electricity prices […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed recognition by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) in its Northern Basin amendments of negative socio – economic impact from water buybacks and the need for measures other than ‘just add water’ to improve the environment. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “the MDBA’s Northern Basin review has finally […]
CEO of the National Irrigators Council (NIC), Steve Whan has welcomed new rules introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, which remove the need for Irrigation Infrastructure Operators (IIOs) to produce fully – costed Network Services Plans every five years saying it is a “genuine example of practical red – tape reduction that will […]
The peak lobby group for Australia’s Irrigators, the National Irrigators Council (NIC) will be holding its national council meeting in Launceston on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February. NIC CEO, Steve Whan, said “our members will be in Launceston discussing some of the key national issues affecting irrigators. “Launceston has been chosen because it is […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) says amendments to the Basin Plan proposed by the Opposition are not helpful to reaching a long – term triple bottom line outcome. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “this week the Shadow Minister for Water has said he is considering introducing an amendment formally linking the 450GL of water known […]
The National Irrigators’ Council says the unreliability and high cost of power is a serious challenge to the future of affordable local food production. NIC CEO Steve Whan says “the experience of power interruptions, on top of high prices, seen again in South Australia, has serious short and long term implications for food and fibre […]
National Irrigators Council (NIC) has today welcomed the appointment of former NSW Primary Industry Minister Steve Whan as CEO of Australia’s peak irrigator representative organisation. NIC Chairman Gavin McMahon said Mr Whan will bring to NIC a breadth of experience in the area of government, policy and advocacy. “Mr Whan’s 12 years in NSW Parliament, […]
Today’s release of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) recommendations from the Northern Basin Review makes it clear that the promised ‘triple bottom line’ outcomes under the Murray Darling Basin Plan cannot be realised with the ‘just add water’ methodology currently in place. The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Tom Chesson said the MDBA’s own research […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today welcomed the bipartisan passage of the Water Legislation Amendment (Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment) Bill 2016 which means that no more productive water needs to be recovered from the Southern Basin. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the Deputy Prime Minister’s comments that the passing of the Bill “… will eliminate […]
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) is searching for a new CEO following the decision by CEO, Tom Chesson to move on. NIC Chair Gavin McMahon told Members of the organisation: “Tom has been a great advocate for the irrigation industry in both water and energy policy and I thank him for his dedication and commitment to […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today expressed its extreme disappointment that two key reports underpinning the Northern Basin Review have been released just days before the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Board is due to make a decision on whether it’ll recommend changes to the Basin Plan. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the process to […]
For many consumers the price of electricity across the National Electricity Market (NEM) is already at crisis point and Friday’s COAG Energy Ministers meeting must address the issues causing out of control electricity prices. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said people across the NEM were now genuinely fearful of and stressed out by their electricity bills. […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed today’s announcement by the MDBA that ‘localism’ would finally be ‘hard – wired’ into the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) with the decentralisation of some of the functions of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said today’s announcement by the MDBA CEO, Dr Phillip […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today called on the incoming Minister to ensure that ‘localism’ would be finally ‘hard – wired’ into the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) with the decentralisation of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to communities hard hit by the MDBP. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said during the development of the […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has commended the Coalition’s election commitment to make irrigated agriculture central to its renewable energy investment strategy. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson welcomed the announcement today by the Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce that are – elected Coalition Government will direct the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to work with […]
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), appearing before the Hon. Justice Middleton at the Australian Competition Tribunal (the Tribunal) in Adelaide today during community consultations, said the Tribunal should reject the SA Power Networks appeal of the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Electricity Network Determination as consumers could not afford yet another massive rise in electricity costs. NIC […]
National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed Federal Budget measures supporting irrigated agriculture business, building on the Government’s $4 billion Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper announced in mid – 2015. Council Chair Gavin McMahon said measures underpinning the sustainability of irrigated agriculture businesses through the easing of the tax burden for small business, a continuation of the Farm […]
National Irrigators’ Council has commended the federal government’s commitment to progress a plan to remove carp from Australia’s waterways. Chair of the Council Gavin McMahon welcomed the announcement by the Australian Government of $15 million in the 2016 federal budget towards the plan, which includes the intended release of a carp – specific herpes virus. […]
National Irrigators’ Council Chair Gavin McMahon has welcomed today’s decision by Commonwealth and State Environment and Water Ministers (MINCO) to agree to an amendment to the Basin Plan that would provide for a second round of projects by 30 June 2017, under the sustainable diversion limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism. No tification regarding SDL projects was […]
Carp herpes virus first step in native fish recovery says Alliance The Australian, state and territories governments are considering the release of a carp – specific herpes virus to knock down Australia’s worst freshwater pest, the European Carp, but it could be a wasted opportunity unless it is supported by river recovery actions. An alliance […]
The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Tom Chesson said State Governments could do much more to save jobs as the impacts of low inflows and the successive ‘historic’ water reforms erode social and economic resilience in the Murray Darling Basin. “The Victorian Government could immediately direct Melbourne Water to use allocations attached to the 75,000 megalitres […]
The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was amazed by the histrionics which has accompanied the announcement that at the Federal level water will be returning to the Agricultural portfolio.” The near hysterical response from some quarters warning of dire consequences shows a frightening lack of knowledge about how the Basin […]
The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was amazed by the histrionics which has accompanied the announcement that at the Federal level water will be returning to the Agricultural portfolio.” The near hysterical response from some quarters warning of dire consequences shows a frightening lack of knowledge about how the Basin […]
The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was amazed by the histrionics which has accompanied the announcement that at the Federal level water will be returning to the Agricultural portfolio.” The near hysterical response from some quarters warning of dire consequences shows a frightening lack of knowledge about how the Basin […]
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Tom Chesson today welcomed the 1500 GL cap on water buybacks in the Murray – Darling Basin, secured into legislation through the Water Amendment Bill 2015. Mr Chesson said the Council had long pursued a campaign for a legislated 1500 GL cap and commended the Government for its commitment to irrigated […]
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Tom Chesson today welcomed the 1500 GL cap on water buybacks in the Murray – Darling Basin, secured into legislation through the Water Amendment Bill 2015. Mr Chesson said the Council had long pursued a campaign for a legislated 1500 GL cap and commended the Government for its commitment to irrigated […]
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Tom Chesson today welcomed the Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) Adjustment Stocktake Report released by the Murray – Darling Basin Ministerial Council. Mr Chesson noted that while progress towards the SDL Adjustment Mechanism is in its early stages, he said the report will nevertheless be welcome news for the irrigated agriculture sector.The […]
The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Tom Chesson said the failure to fund the Commonwealth Water Agencies including the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder beyond the 2016/17 forward estimates sent a very poor message to Murray Darling Basin communities about the Commonwealth’s long term commitment to the Basin Plan. “It is disappointing that when the former Prime […]
The National Irrigator’s Council (NIC) today welcomed what could only be described as a ‘luke warm’ attempt by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to reign in out of control electricity prices. Chair of the National Irrigator’s Council Energy Committee, Dale Holliss said he was disappointed the cuts did not go further and said NIC would […]
Chair of the National Irrigators’ Council Energy sub – committee Dale Holliss today expressed disappointment in many aspects of the Federal Government’s Energy White Paper noting the complete omission of any reference to the network charging regimes of electricity companies’, a key factor in driving the unsustainable cost of electricity in the irrigated agriculture sector. […]
The National Irrigators’ Council is calling on the Federal Senate not to get distracted by talk of inquiries and to focus on acting now to minimise the uncertainty in irrigation communities. National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Tom Chesson said the Council would not support a Senate inquiry into the Murray Darling Basin Plan at this […]
The National Irrigators’ Council today welcomed the appointment of the Hon Neil Andrew as Chair of the Murray – Darling Basin Authority. CEO Tom Chesson said the Council looked forward to working with Mr Andrew on the broad range of issues of importance to those involved in the irrigation industry and the communities they support. […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) objectives are to: To protect or enhance water as a property right and to champion a vibrant sustainable irrigation industry. The NIC is the voice of irrigators and believes in the following principles to guide future policy decisions: A healthy environment is paramount. Sustainable communities and industries depend on it. […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today welcomed the renewed commitment by the Coalition Government to legislate a cap of 1500 gigalitres on water buy – backs in the Murray Darling Basin and said it hoped that the Labor Party would continue the tradition of bipartisan support for Basin reforms. CEO Tom Chesson said back in […]
The National Irrigators’ Council today welcomed a return of common sense and common decency with the disallowance of two sneaky critically endangered listings. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the decision to list as ‘critically endangered’ the ‘River Murray and associated wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems, from the junction of the Darling River to the sea’ […]
Many farmers are dreading a visit to the mail box with out of control electricity bills soon due to land on kitchen tables around the country. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said one of the biggest issues facing NIC Members was escalating electricity prices.” “We need cheaper electricity. We need it […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said it was disappointed that after six years and millions of dollars the MDBA was only able to produce a ‘work in progress’ as its draft Constraints Management Strategy (CMS). NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the draft document released today was grossly inadequate especially given it was meant to provide guidance […]
Many farmers are dreading a visit to the mail box with out of control electricity bills now due to land on kitchen tables around the country. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said one of the biggest issues facing NIC Members this election was escalating electricity prices.” “We need cheaper electricity. We […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said it was extremely disappointed about the lack of consultation surrounding the Government’s decision to burden communities in the Basin with more green tape. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the decision to list as ‘critically endangered’ the ‘River Murray and associated wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems, from the junction of the […]
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.