NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
The National Irrigators’ Council today welcomed the MDB Ministerial Council response to the proposed Basin Plan and said it may just be possible for a Balanced Basin Plan to be developed which does not destroy jobs, increase food prices and wipe out irrigation dependent communities. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said today’s Ministerial Council response could […]
The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Tom Chesson, said communities in the Murray Darling Basin were heartened by the attendance of the AWU’s NSW South West Organiser, Harry Goring, amidst the ranks of the 7000 people who attended the recent rally in Griffith to demand a balanced Basin Plan. “Mr Goring understands that AWU jobs are […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the report released today by the House of Representatives into the proposed Murray – Darling Basin Plan. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the fact that a cross – Party Committee with Members from the ALP, Liberals and The Nationals Parties plus an Independent Chair had made the recommendations […]
The closure of the Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre (Cotton CRC) on Sunday 1st of July highlights the lack of Government investment into practical real world on – the – ground research in Australia. The National Irrigators’ Council, CEO Tom Chesson said the work of the Cotton CRC was legendary and had provided a […]
Today’s meeting Murray – Darling Basin Ministerial Council has done little to allay irrigators concerns and has raised more questions than it has answered. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said he was surprised that the Ministers had agreed to another round of modelling for the proposed Basin Plan when the majority […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said it was not surprised communities were again rallying in Griffith. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Tom Chesson said many communities right up and down the Murray Darling Basin felt they were being ignored and their anger was white hot. “It’s not just communities directly affected who should […]
The National Irrigators’ Council will today tell the Regional Australia Parliamentary Inquiry that investing in environmental works and measures, infrastructure and efficiencies, in turn reducing the need for ‘held’ environmental water entitlement could break the current deadlock and see a Basin Plan delivered by the end of the year. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ […]
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia Inquiry into certain matters relating to the proposed Murray – Darling Basin plan Table of Contents 1.Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3 2.IF CEWH Cannot Use the Water it Already Has Does it Need Any More?……………………………….. 53.Without Environmental Works and Measures Environmental Outcomes Will be Limited………… 6 3.1.Recommended Environmental works […]
Five months ago the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) said the draft Basin Plan was unacceptable. Today’s release of the next stage of the proposed Basin Plan has done nothing to curtail that view. Chairman of the NIC, Gavin McMahon, said the proposed Basin Plan will cost thousands of jobs, put increased pressure on food prices,and […]
It has been mentioned a number of times by some Politicians and commentators that the Murray Darling Basin Plan will ensure that the environment and communities in the Murray Darling Basin will become immune from the worst effects of drought if the Basin Plan is adopted. This is incorrect. Towns throughout western NSW from Orange […]
The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the launch this week of the River Reach trial program of water trading. NIC CEO,Tom Chesson says that the trial provides an option for the acquisition of water without the economic damage that can be caused by indiscriminate purchases. “River Reach is a project that was designed by the […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today welcomed the Prime Minister’s comments that she believed Australia could be a food producing super power, however they cautioned there will have to be a fundamental shift in government policies if agricultural and food production is to fully benefit from the Asian century. The NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said […]
Purpose of this Submission This Submission is designed to provide an overview of the key issues that irrigators believe are necessary to deliver a balanced plan for the Murray Darling Basin. In our view, the MDBA’s plan can only form part of a wider Plan for the Basin – one that involves both State and […]
The Chairman of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Stewart Ellis said his organisation, whilst willing to work with the Government, has rejected as unacceptable, the proposed Basin Plan. Mr Ellis said the NIC’s submission highlighted the major concerns irrigators had with the draft Basin Plan and said it was now up to the MDBA and […]
An exit poll in Queensland after the recent state election, asked people who they voted for and why. Given the myriad of poorly run-and-administered taxpayer-funded programs, it was not surprising that ”delivery of state services” ran a close second to ”cost of living” as the key reason for people’s decisions. Having picked 2750 Gl as […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) is calling on the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to release the promised multiple benefit study being conducted by the CSIRO to provide stakeholders time to analyse its findings. NIC CEO, Tom Chesson, said the MDBA had rightly recognised that more work needed to be done on valuing the benefits […]
The National Irrigators‟ Council today said today’s announcement of new water buy backs in the Southern Basin was neither, strategic or smart and had already been widely condemned as being unworkable. The NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said the Government was informed over twelve months ago that it would in all probability be illegal for private […]
I recently obtained an explosive document which reveals that introduced fish species such as carp and trout have been a major cause of native fish extinctions in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB). The document is explosive because it makes it plain that the Government’s attempts to create ‘healthy working rivers’ in the MDB, of which […]
1. Name and description of the key threatening process 1.1 Title of the process The introduction in Australian inland waters of native or non-native fish that are outside their natural geographic distribution. 1.2 Description of the process The introduction of non-native or native fish outside their natural ranges is one of the major conservation issues […]
The National Irrigators‟ Council (NIC) today strongly backed calls by Gina Rinehart for Government Departments to be decentralised out of Canberra. The NIC‟s CEO, Tom Chesson said Gina Rinehart is spot on when she writes; “We need our government departments and government advisers exposed to more of Australia …,” “There are no practical reasons for […]
Big environment groups are friendless and are being forced to pay people to work on community stalls it was revealed today. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said one of the big environmental corporations Environment Victoria is offering people $25 an hour to work on its community stalls in Melbourne. “Many of […]
The National Irrigators‟ Council (NIC) is calling on the State and Federal Governments to increase budgets now to fight the invasive weed menace which is being exacerbated by major floods and the two wettest years on record. The NIC CEO, Tom Chesson said invasive weeds were a major issue in Australia and State and Federal […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today called on both the NSW and Federal Governments to immediately rule out any environmental water releases from dams in flood affected valleys in the Murray Darling Basin as proposed by green groups. The CEO of the NIC, Tom Chesson said he was appalled that a document released by green […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said irrigators have lost a statesman with the sudden resignation of its inaugural Chairman, Stewart Ellis. Mr Ellis is an honest broker who has done what many thought impossible and has brought together for the first time since Federation irrigators from around the country and particularly across the Murray Darling Basin. […]
The National Irrigators‟ Council (NIC) has obtained an explosive document which reveals introduced fish species such as carp and trout have been a major cause of native fish extinctions in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB). NIC‟s CEO, Tom Chesson said the Ministerial Advice from the Government‟s Threatened Species Scientific Committee calling on the Government to […]
The National Irrigators’ Council today welcomed the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments announcement that environmental works at Lindsay Island in the Murray Sunset National Park will be investigated. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council said whilst today’s announcement was light on details, the NIC has long argued that the proposed works at Lindsay Island could […]
The closure of the Heinz’s Girgarre tomato sauce factory with the loss of 146 jobs is a sign of what will come if the Government adopts the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) Draft Plan. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC), Tom Chesson said without a strong, viable, internationally competitive food processing sector many communities […]
Reports of exploding bird numbers, and wetlands which haven‟t had water for over one hundred years miraculously springing back to life in the Murray Darling Basin highlights the esilience of our environment, the CEO of the National Irrigators‟ Council, Tom Chesson said today. “Whilst hell would have to freeze over before green groups and other […]
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) said it was willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Prime Minister to help her full-fill her pledge to make 2012 the year of the job, however, if she is serious she will have to ask her Water Minister to send the draft MDBA Basin Plan back to the […]
Peak agricultural industry groups from across the Murray-Darling Basin believe that the proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan, released this morning by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, has failed to achieve the promised balance between social, economic and environmental impacts. The collective industry bodies, including the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), National Irrigators Council, AgForce Queensland, Queensland Farmers’ Federation, […]
The National Irrigators‟ Council (NIC) today said the draft Basin Plan in its current form is unacceptable. Chairman of the NIC, Stewart Ellis, said the draft basin plan will cost thousands of jobs, put pressure on food prices, and threaten family farms and regional communities. “If the draft Basin Plan is adopted in its current […]
Irrigation communities in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) are worried the Governments’ Basin Plan will be an expensive failure if the focus is solely on removing water from communities. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Mr Tom Chesson, said if the Basin Plan to have any chance of being supported by communities it has […]
The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the decision of the Commonwealth Government to revert to previous conversion factors used to determine the reliability of water entitlements in the Murray Darling Basin. “NIC CEO Tom Chesson said the news that 20 week consultation period is due to begin on the 28th of November was welcomed, however, […]
A chance discovery has left irrigation communities furious and the goodwill generated by MDBA Chairman, Craig Knowles, is evaporating, the CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Tom Chesson said today. “Without telling anyone, the Commonwealth Water Department has in the latest update of water purchases on its website, changed the way they work out the […]
The Chairman of the National Irrigators’ Council, Stewart Ellis today announced the appointment of new CEO, Tom Chesson saying he was joining the organisation at a crucial time. “Tom Chesson is joining the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) at a time communities in the Murray Darling Basin are trying to recover from the worst drought on […]
The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the settlement of a $1.2 billion funding agreement for Victoria’s Food Bowl stage 2 development as a win for all parties. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said the agreement signed today by Victoria and the Commonwealth was an investment in the future of irrigation regions and at last delivered on […]
The National Irrigators’ Council has welcomed the National Water Commission’s progress report on water reform in Australia, agreeing that a new push is required to continue to implement reforms first agreed seven years ago. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said the National Water Initiative signed in 2004 remained the foundation of water policy in Australia but […]
Funding available for water saving infrastructure upgrades in the Murray Darling Basin is dramatically less than the headlines suggest, a review by the National Irrigators’ Council reveals. The $5.8 billion Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP) has been plundered for a host of projects leaving just $3.4 billion now allocated to irrigation upgrades. […]
The $228 million deal to fund the expansion of Adelaide’s desalination plant and reports Canberra won’t be affected by the Murray Darling Basin Plan yet again expose the double-standard that applies to urban and rural communities when it comes to water reform, the National Irrigators’ Council said today. Under an agreement between the Commonwealth and […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said today it was not concerned by a further delay to the release of the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan if it meant a better balanced outcome was the result. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said much was made of the need for certainty but this had to be weighed against the […]
A social and economic impact study released today by the Murray Darling Basin Authority highlights the significant damage that will be wrought on local communities and Australia’s food and fibre production base by an unbalanced Basin Plan. The National Irrigators’ Council said the report clearly indicated that a Plan that favours the environment without regard […]
Irrigators have welcomed acknowledgement by a Senate committee that the Water Act 2007 is fundamentally flawed and needs amendment. The National Irrigators’ Council said the report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee highlights the lack of balance in the Act and calls on the Government to release all legal advice relating to the […]
Irrigators will judge Murray Darling Basin reform on environmental outcomes and balance with social and economic impacts, not a simplistic focus on numbers and volume that ignore the complexity of river management. These views are among issues listed in a position paper released today by the National Irrigators’ Council titled “A Balanced Plan for the […]
The short-listing of Melbourne’s Yarra River for the International Riverprize, billed as the “world’s most prestigious environmental prize”, just goes to highlight how farcical the debate over river health has become. The National Irrigators’ Council said while the Yarra is being lauded as among the world’s best, the Murray-Darling Basin –which has more water available […]
Recommendations from the Regional Australia committee on the proposed Murray Darling Basin Plan have been welcomed by irrigators but will mean nothing unless acted upon by Government. The National Irrigators’ Council has congratulated Chair Tony Windsor and the members of the committee across party lines for their recognition that a healthy Basin can be delivered […]
The National Irrigators’ Council is pleased that today’s Ministerial Council meeting Adelaide has made progress on Murray Darling Basin reform but remains frustrated at the slow pace of infrastructure roll-out. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said funding for feasibility studies on environmental works and measures was a positive step in the right direction and recognition that […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said today it was right for Tony Windsor’s Regional Australia committee to delay its final report on the Murray-Darling basin Plan to ensure it finds the right balance, a fact that seems to have eluded the Wentworth Group. “We expect that the best available science –environmental,economic and social –will be used […]
The National Irrigators’ Council says the appointment of a new CEO at the Murray Darling Basin Authority is an opportunity for the Authority to deliver on its promises of a balanced Basin Plan. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien welcomed Dr Rhondda Dickson to the job. “Both the Chair and CEO that were responsible for the Guide […]
Irrigators from across the country have called on governments to treat all water users fairly in water planning decisions and deliver on commitments made on interception activities in the National Water Initiative. The National Irrigators’ Council has adopted a policy position that all water use, including interception activities such as farm dams, forestry plantations and […]
The National Irrigators’ Council is encouraged by the Communiqué issued by Murray Darling Basin Water Ministers after their meeting today but says it’s time their words were translated into action. NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said an increased focus on getting water use efficiency money out the door and on the ground was welcome, but now […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said when it comes to water the only thing flowing out of Adelaide and Canberra was hypocrisy. The CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council(NIC), Tom Chesson said despite making plenty of noise about the need for reform in the Murray Darling Basin, neither Adelaide or Canberra were giving up one drop […]
Murray Darling Basin Authority Chairman Craig Knowles will be the keynote speaker at a meeting of irrigators from across the country in Moree, NSW, next week. The National Irrigators’ Council will hold its March meeting in Moree on Tuesday, following a local tour of irrigation sites in the region on Monday. The visit is part […]
The National Irrigators’ Council said the Commonwealth has taken a good step in delivering on its promise of balanced water reform with tax changes and other initiatives announced today. NIC CEO, Danny O’Brien, said Water Minister Tony Burke was making progress with the announcement of changes that will help limit the impact of Murray Darling […]
The House of Representatives Regional Australia committee is on the right track with the interim findings handed down today on the impacts of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. The National Irrigators’ Council said it was pleased that the Committee had listened to some of the key problems outlined by Basin communities and had provided early […]
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