NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
Today's release of the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan exposes the risks to Australia’s agriculture sector from climate change, particularly water security for irrigation to grow food and fibre. “Climate change poses a very real risk to irrigated agriculture,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien. [...]
Irrigation Australia Limited's Spring Journal features our CEO, Zara Lowien's comments on the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation (on page 32-35) indicating there were plenty of first the MDBA's 'game changing' 2025 evaluation but what does it mean for the irrigation industry. Zara highlighted the opportunity before Minister Watt has to work collaboratively with communities and industry on a much-needed reset, that looks to refocus the Basin Plan on outcomes rather than numbers.
Australian Farm Institute, Executive Director Katie McRobert says "Much of Australia’s agricultural policy is caught in a loop. When a crisis erupts – be it drought, market disruption, or community outrage – political and media attention surges. Decisions are demanded, headlines written, levers pulled. But as the immediate threat subsides, so too does the will to implement lasting solutions...This edition of the Farm Policy Journal explores that cycle – and asks what we can do to break it. ....The opening article by Christine Freak and Zara Lowien examines the long and often reactive trajectory of water policy reform in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB)...[They] offer offer an original contribution to this challenge in the form of the Triple Crown of Water Reform Framework, which conceptualises reform as a three-pronged effort: water-sharing (Flows), watermanagement (Functions), and integrated resource initiatives (Further)."
Director nominations for the National Irrigators' Council board are due by 10th September 2025.
There are three positions vacant this Annual General Meeting information, with one director not considering re-election.
Please visit the Meeting Documentation - Annual General Meeting page for more information.
NIC and our local Murrumbidgee region Members, are helping coordinate the study tour component of the MDA's 81st Conference which is in Griffith, NSW this year. The study tour will be on 30th September via a bus tour and includes:
- Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd, including their control room and looking at their recent efficiency projects including urban channels.
- One Basin CRC hub
- One of the local fish farms
- Sunrice in Leeton
The tour include lunch at Whitton Malthouse.
Tickets for the tour are to be book at the 'Member Price' via the MDA conference website.
NIC is hosting a Member Networking dinner with guest speaker Matt Linegar from the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation on 30th September at Belvedere Restaurant, Griffith. This event is a great opportunity to hear Matt's leadership story, which no doubt will include a few laughs, and consider industry's next steps as we embark on the review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. Tickets for this event are via the event link using Try Booking - an Italian feast has been organised to celebrate the evening. Drinks are at your own cost.
On 1st October, Day 1 speakers include The Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for Water and Environment, Troy Grant the Inspector General Water
Compliance, Dr Simon Banks, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and there is a panel session on Basin Governance. These speakers and
others provide a foundation to inform discussions at NIC General Meeting on Thursday, 2nd October. The Conference also provides an
opportunity to Members to network with Murray Darling Association Members.
We encourage consideration of attending, however it is up to Members. Tickets must be purchased from the MDA website
using the Member rate for Day 1.
On 1st October, the National Irrigators' Council is holding its Annual General Meeting from 3pm at the Yoogali Club Griffith. Please
use to link to RSVP.
This event is after the Day 1 Conference proceedings.
NIC General Meeting Administration will occur thereafter until 5pm.
On the evening of 1st October from 6:30pm - celebrate and socialise at the Piccolo Family Farm, situated in the heart of Griffith.
Enjoy the ambience and view of Griffith and it’s surrounds while you network over local wines and drinks.
Dine with the MDA and enjoy an incredible, seasonally prepared 3-course meal.
Tickets purchased via the MDA webstie using the 'Member Price'.
On 2nd October, the National Irrigators' Council will be holding their Member General Meeting at the Yoogali Club, Griffith. Proposed time
is 8:30am - 2pm to allow time to catch flights or travel home.
Agenda to be confirmed - discussions on what we heard from the conference, Climate and Risk and Succession planning and industry development
are being planned.
Please RSVP using the link.
A new report has found the Murray-Darling Basin is in full compliance with the new Sustainable Diversion Limits, consistent with previous
findings and the recent 2025 Evaluation that the Basin has seen an environmental turnaround.
“The report confirms Sustainable Diversion Limits are being enforced and in fact, water diversions are well under these limits,” said
National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Zara Lowien.
“Getting water use below these Sustainable Diversion Limits was a huge feat, and it means 1 in 3 litres of irrigation water are now out of
production and remain in rivers.”
The Australian Government committed $3.5 million over 2 years in the 2025–26 Budget to develop the Feeding Australia: National Food Security
Strategy. This was part of an election commitment from the Federal Government, backed by NIC and NFF.
The Government has now published a discussion paper for feedback, with submissions closing on 24 September 2025.
NIC will be providing a submission, and we encourage our memebrs to do the same. We will share our draft submission with you shortly.
The IGWC has published the Sustainable Diversion Limit Compliance Report for 2023-24, while the MDBA has published their Registers of Take.
The IGWC report found "All 78 SDL resource units assessed for the 2023–2024 water accounting year were found to be compliant. Those water resource areas without an accredited WRP (for the full water year), were also seperately assessed as compliant. Our analysis shows
water usage is actually 12% below the SDL.
IGWC Report: https://www.igwc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2025-08/sustainable-diversion-limit-compliance-report-2023-2024.pdf
MDBA Registers of Take: 2023-24
Sustainable Diversion Limit Accounts
The National Irrigators’ Council shares the concerns of stakeholders regarding the halting of licenced environmental water delivery in NSW but emphasises this is a dispute between the State Government and the Commonwealth Environmental Water holder, not irrigators.
We have just put in our submission for the third Water for Environment Special Account (WESA) review - take a look.
Our key recommendation: "The Independent Panel take a broad view to examine the policy settings and decision-making on the use of
WESA funds to achieve enhanced environmental outcomes with consideration of socio-economic impact - to ensure WESA can be used
transparently to target priority environmental investments. We encourage you to explore the option to amend the WESA to ensure it can be
used transparently to target priority environmental investments such as community-supported constraints measures and investment in non-flow
complementary measures as evidence within the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit."
Thank you to our members who have contributed to this piece of work, and taking the time to provide feedback.
OneBasin CRC and the Australian Water School hosted on webinar on "the impact of climate change on crop irrigation requirements across
the Murray-Darling Basin".
We haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but you can view the recording online.
Here's the outline:
Irrigated farming in the Murray–Darling Basin faces increasing challenges due to a warmer and drier climate. With water supply
decreasing and irrigation demand rising, farmers need better insights into future water needs to sustain their crops and investments.
Understanding these changes is crucial for medium to long-term planning and for making informed decisions about crop choices and water
sourcing.
Join a panel of experts who are modelling the future irrigation needs of key crops in the Murray–Darling Basin under various climate change
scenarios via a One Basin CRC funded-project.
Join our panellists as they explore:
- Using existing climate, soil, and crop data to calculate potential changes in irrigation demand;
- How crop water requirements might change over the mid to long-term; and
- Initiatives to help farmers and irrigation suppliers plan for a future with higher temperatures and less water.
The 2025 Ricardo Water Markets Report was published this week. The report has really useful data on water markets, including on Cth water
buybacks. Worth a look!
Some quick facts:
If there's one video those working in water must watch this year, it's this - Professor Forest Reinhardt from Harvard Business School talking to Andrew McConville at this years River Reflections Conference on water property rights (watch from 45 minutes
into Day 1).
Let us know your favourite quotes!
One of our favourites (1hr 18mins in) - in response to a question on what a future Basin Plan should look like: "If the subsequent
versions of the Basin Plan, can make water more and more like a normal commodity... just as if you own a piece of land... I think
that the more you can make water rights look like normal property rights, the more effective the system will be. I come from a country
where we can't even get to the starting line of that kind of thing."
The NIC team produced a quick overview of the MDBA's 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit, saying (published 24 July, here) the key findings were:
Today’s publication of the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit has found the health of the Basin has improved, advising that “water for the environment is essential, but on its own is likely not sufficient” [MDBA Overview]... The National Irrigators’ Council has described many parts of the Evaluation as refreshing and a wakeup call needed to shape thinking in the Basin going forward and is calling for more quick thinking on how to determine and prioritise a package of strategic environmental investments in these complementary (non-flow) measures to inform next steps on the Basin Plan, given the Evaluation found this as a missing piece of the current Plan puzzle. [...]
Basin communities fear socio-economic impact assessments soon to be released by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will water down the true impact, overlooking community and industry-level data, in their Basin-scale assessment. “Basin Plan legislation requires 5-yeraly Evaluations, but at a Basin-scale”, said Zara Lowien, National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, “we know the most severe impacts are felt at a local community level, and within specific industries, but these impacts get smoothed out when the assessment zooms to the Basin-scale.” [...]
|
NIC Members agreed to a specific Position Statement on the reliability of water access entitlements to provide a clear message to Governments on how decisions impact water property rights, as represented and agreed in the National Water Initiative. This position statement was prepared in conjunction with our guiding principles. Approved 17 July 2025. |
NIC Members agreed to amend and update our Aboriginal Water Position Statement, and agreed to the following Position Statement titled 'enabling Cultural objectives in water management'.
This position statement was prepared in conjunction with our Murray-Darling Basin Position Statement and our Positon Statement on
reliability of water entitlements and our guiding principles.
Approved 17 July 2025.
On 26 June, members would have received an email with notice of two Special Resolutions for the upcoming General Meeting on 17th July
2025.
These include:
(a) A renewed Position Statement, retitled ‘Enabling Cultural objectives in water management’; and
(b) A new Position Statement on the Reliability of Water Entitlements.
We remind members that the General Meeting is for voting purposes only (on the blue box text), and no amendments can be made, now this
notice of special resolution has been issued. We thank those who have been involved in the design and review of these proposed policy
position statements.
We are preparing for the publication of the 2025 MDBP Evaluation, anticipated for mid-late July.
Given we may have some problematic socio-economic findings ('no measurable impact'), we are encouraging members to start preparing data. The
Evaluation is done at a Basin-scale, which means community and industry level impacts are smoothed over. This means, it will be a critical
time for us to have data to put on the table to stop an inaccurate or non-representative narrative forming.
We will be sending further information around shortly, including with key messages, to help us all get prepared.
In the meantime, some examples of the types of data we encourage you to start pulling together (and share with us), includes:
The Federal Government announced their invitation to Tenderers who hold eligible groundwater rights in the Queensland (Qld)
Condamine-Balonne catchment to submit a tender, for the sale of those water rights (either whole or in part), to the Australian Government
under Bridging the Gap. This is for up to 3.2 GL/y (long-term diversion limit equivalence; LTDLE) of groundwater comprising:
• 0.25 GL/y from the Qld Upper Condamine Alluvium (Central Condamine Alluvium); and
• 2.95 GL/y from the Qld Upper Condamine Alluvium (Tributaries).
A draft of our Consultation Expectations Guideline is now available for member feedback.
From our drop-in discussions, it was suggested that this forms a guideline to explain what we mean by good consultation, rather than a
'policy position' as such - but we want to hear from you on that!
You will see that this includes some key principles of our expectations, a scorecard to review consultations (linked to the principles), and
our commitments when engaging.
We intend to do a test of this scorecard, to develop some case studies of applying it in practice - stay tuned, and we will publish an updated version shortly (shared via our policy updates page in the members area).
This week, Dairy Australia released the first of its kind report using new independent, evidence-based, modelling has found continued
water buybacks under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) pose a severe, disproportionate, and avoidable risk to the entire dairy supply
chain and the region communities they sustain.
The results are clear and alarming: water buybacks, as currently proposed, are not just a policy tool – they threaten the viability of an
entire industry. Under two plausible buyback scenarios - the recovery of 302GL and 683GL - the analysis shows:
* reduced water availability
* significant increases in water prices
* sharp declines in farmgate milk production
* farm viability risks
* heightened risk of dairy processor closures, and
* community and supply chain impact.
Seeking member feedback on our draft position statement on Enabling Cultural Objectives in Water Management.
This forms part of our Policy Platform Update, and was developed following member discussion at our drop-ins - see page on members areas for more information, and to see all current drafts as they are updated.
Reminder - this is now the time to have your say in the design and development of our policy positions, we cannot make changes on voting day
at the General Meeting.
Seeking member feedback on our draft position statement on reliability of water entitlements.
This forms part of our Policy Platform Update, and was developed following member discussion at our drop-ins - see page on members areas for more information.
Reminder - this is now the time to have your say in the design and development of our policy positions, we cannot make changes on voting day
at the General Meeting.
Draft submission on the MDBA Early Insights Paper now available for member review.
This forms part of our bigger work program on preparing for the Basin Plan Review. Please let us know your feedback.
Note: Draft Submission is not for further distribution outside your organisation at this stage until finalised (as we are awaiting
publication of some source articles, such as on the framework, which is subject to copyright/licensing constraints until published).
“Holding Ground in Uncertainty: Insights for Australian Agriculture in 2050” is a deep and wide-ranging exploration of the
futures that might await our sector—and the strategic choices we can make today to shape them.
This expanded edition includes 19 contributions from leading researchers and practitioners, exploring themes such as:
CISRO released their first-ever national stocktake of our $800 billion food system, which feeds around 100 million people – including 27 million Australians – with food produced by 100,000 farmers. The report maps a number of key challenges in the food system and seeks to calculate hidden costs. The report identified three key steps to guide a systems-based approach for transformation:
We are in the process of planning for our July General Meeting, which is scheduled for 16th and 17th July in Canberra.
The Dinner will be located at Hotel Kurrajong on Wednesday 16th July - see event here.
The General Meeting will be at Old Parliament House on Thursday 17th July - see event here.
For meeting documentation and discount codes for accommodation in Canberra, visit our meeting page.
Following a few Member discussions, a draft Consultation Expectation Guideline document has been prepared for Member feedback.
The guideline was produced to provide clarity on what our industry considers ‘effective engagement’ (one of our policy principles) in
the context of consultation on policy development and implementation, for all stakeholders and address ongoing concerns regarding poor
public consultation. We used the International Association for Public Participation as our main reference source, so this isnt
new but rather contextualised for our experience.
We are looking for feedback from Members on the guideline, but in particular the seven principles for good consultation and our
commitments in return (these are detailed within the guideline or found in the executive summary). We are also interested in
feedback on whether you want an overarching Position Statement that Members vote on, what that might be or if your happy with the
information being in the guideline as prepared.
Reach out to either Zara or Christine on this one, and join in on Wednesday for the Member Drop in, to hear others feedback.
DCCEEW today announced in their newly returned, water matters newsletter that the Aboriginal Water Entitlement Program has contracted their
first purchase - this was for 200 megalitres in the Macquarie Valley, at $4,400/ML its assumed this is General Security entitlements. This purchase is despite there being no clear governance arrangements on how the water is held, who makes determinations on its use and management.
To sign up to Water Matters or see past newsletters visit the webpage - Water
Matters.
THe NIC has created a Menindee Lakes information page to provide a central location for updates and important information on Menindee Lakes. The
aim of this is to ensure you have the current information to be informed as we progress through the MDBA's Menindee Operations
review.
Recently, the MDBA provided a follow-up presentation on the initial thoughts and finding for the review. This is provided on the page
under Strategy and Policy Documents.
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) joined a chorus of Australian businesses this ‘Australian Made Week (19-25 May), by celebrating Aussie grown food and fibre, with a call to action for the Federal Government to include water security for farming in their new National food security strategy: Feeding Australia. “This week we celebrate how 93% of Australia's fruit, nuts and grapes together with 83% of our vegetables are all grown by Aussie irrigators,” said NIC CEO, Ms Zara Lowien. [...]
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.
DCCEEW today released their Final policy position paper on the water market intermediaries trust accounting and code exemptions, the final
position to inform the future exposure regulations.
We will review this with interest given the concerns raised regarding the likely impacts and expectations on some intermediaries.
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”. [..]
We are drafting the Agenda for our IIO Subcommittee meeting for the 19th March, at 2pm.
Click the link to RSVP.
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.
Irrigators call out Minister Plibersek’s decision to sign off on purchasing another 100 GL of water in the southern Basin with questionable
procurement processes and deliberately narrow evidence to support the decision.
“The advice before the Minister to inform the decision is flawed,” said Zara Lowien, CEO of National Irrigators’ Council. [...]
Women with leadership ambitions are urged to apply to the popular Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP). The initiative
is run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and is now entering its eighth year. Twelve women will be selected for the 2025
program. Applications open Monday, 24 February and will remain open for one month.
For more information visit https://nff.org.au/programs/diversity-in-agriculture-leadership/
The MDBA has published a SDLAM Reconciliation Framework. We have prepared a Briefing Note for members to summarise this Framework, as well
as some background, and the NIC position/approach.
In short - the MDBA has now determined that a SDLAM reconciliation will occur, and anticipates this will result in a reduction to SDLs in the impacted water sources.
NIC is of the position that the full 605 GL must be delivered – so that a further reduction in the SDL is not required. We are very dissapointed by the languge of the Framework.
Click to see the Briefing Note for more information, or the MDBA website for the full
document.
The release of the Auditor General’s report of the Federal Government’s water buybacks finds the Government implemented a well-paved road
of effective process but struggled to find the link between the buyback program and the intended policy objectives for the Murray Darling
Basin Plan.
“Many will glance at the key findings of effective process and give the Government a pat on the back, but the devil is in the detail when
the report goes on to question the link between the buyback program and the intended policy objectives for the environment” said National
Irrigators’ Council CEO, Ms Lowien [...]
Registrations are now open for a free online information session
being hosted by former head of ABC Rural Leigh Radford on Tuesday, February 25 2025, specifically for people involved
in any aspect of agriculture, horticulture and food production. Starting at 6 pm (AEDT), the session will run for
about an hour, with the opportunity to ask questions, gain helpful advice and be inspired by Churchill Fellows sharing their experiences
and insights. The speakers include Tim Roache who
travelled overseas in 2017 to investigate milk pricing models and ways to manage price risk in the Australian market.
A series of regional information sessions is also currently being rolled out at select locations across Australia, including Newcastle and
Launceston (Feb 20), Toowoomba (Feb 27), Geelong (March 4), Bendigo (March 5), Cairns (March 6), and Broome and Bunbury (March 15).
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) will be hosting an information session for stakeholders to step
through the new water markets information obligations for data providers - policy position paper on Wednesday 26 February 2025 from
11am–12.15pm (AEDT).
This session will include:
You may recall from our General Meeting, that we are in the process of updating our Policy Platform, following a review and audit in
2024.
We have created a new page on our website (members only area) for you to see key resources and progress, including our draft
Basin Plan Position Statement update
- for member feedback.
Please take a look at this draft position statement, and let us know your feedback within the next week if possible. There is also a
document showing the changes from the current statement (we believe there is no change in intent, rather, a refresh).
We are anticipating that this update will be the subject of a special resolution at our March General Meeting - but we also seek member feedback on how we go about these updates, and whether members would prefer all updates to go through the formal special resolution process
or not. Your feedback on the wording (blue box text) well prior to the General Meeting is important.
Minister Plibersek tabled the Australia Audit Office's review of the 2023 Strategic Purchases for Bridging the Gap, which you may recall the Inspector General recently found flaws in governance and managing conflicts.
The report identified steps were taken to address earlier deficiencies and that processes stacked up. What was interesting to read in
the detail were questions and recommendations about the purpose of these purchases towards the overall policy outcomes, which you will hear
more from NIC about this area
On Monday, Prime Minister Albanese announced the 2024 Annual Report on Closing the Gap and the 2025 workplan.
We note, that for 2025 actions the priorities will be to develop a First Nations Water Strategy to inform Commonwealth actions under the proposed National Water Agreement. As well as, the Commonwealth continues to work with jurisdictions and a Coalition of Peaks to develop the
inland waters target to measure progress towards securing First Nation peoples interest in inland water bodies.
Under Objective 15 there are current targets for land and sea, but the inland target was not nationally agreed.
We hope to have a Member Policy update on this in the coming month.
We have received queries this week regarding the Federal Government Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, which is now open for EOIs.
We will be discussing the program at one of our upcoming drop-ins, and are keen to hear member feedback (anytime). To inform that
discussion, key resources can be found here.
Note, this program is in addition to water recovery programs under the Basin Plan. The volumes and entitlement types sought in each valley
are outlined in the Strategic Purchasing Framework. The areas with the largest volume sought are the Lachlan (8.5 GL GS) and Murrumbidgee
(7.5 GL HS/GS) - see page 14 for all water sources. DCCEWW says entitlements will remain within the consumptive pool, with 'First
Nations Water Holding Arrangements' under development. The entitlements are to be used to align with the principle: ‘connectivity
underpinned by wealth generation’.
Separately, DCCEEW are also working on a program 'supporting cultural flows planning for cultural economies in the Murray-Darling
Basin'. Applications for funding through the grants program are expected to open in early 2025.
[Note: this is not an endorsement, rather, for member information to inform our discussions and the NIC approach].
A reminder to IIOs regarding an information request from DCCEEW.
DCCEEW are seeking information from IIOs on:
A reminder to check our member-only page for the latest updates on the NWA.
This includes key resources, such as our latest (January 2025) briefing pack to members to inform your engagements, and our latest submission on the new draft NWA.
We have just added an update and slides following consultation by the NSW Government.
This week our IIO Sub-Committee met with DCCEEW to discuss key issues as part of the ongoing water markets reforms.
Focus was on: (i) tiered insurance for IIOs who provide intermediary services for smaller value trades, and (ii) complaints handling
processes.
We also discussed the uncertainty of what will happen to this process when the Federal Election is called, and caretaker mode
commences (which impacts the departments' ability to consult with stakeholders).
Meeting minutes have been circulated to the Sub-Committee. Please contact us if you did not receive a copy.
New statutory trust accounting obligations for eligible water markets intermediaries have been legislated as part of the wider Murray–Darling Basin water markets reforms. These obligations will commence on 1 July 2025.
Intermediaries will be required to maintain a trust account in circumstances when they receive money on behalf of another person in the
course of providing water markets intermediary services.
Further information is available on the DCCEEW website.
National Irrigators' Council March General Meeting and the NIC Member Networking Dinner are now being planned.
These links for these member only events are now open. Please see link to members area for further information.
Agenda to be uploaded as guests are secured.
Irrigation Australia Limited has released is new training calendar providing nationally accredited, industry qualifications and certifications and for future irrigation professionals that wish to join this ever-growing industry. We provide a unique blending learning
experience, with courses running face-to-face and virtual classrooms.
IF you have new staff or identify a skills gap yourself, check out what they have on offer with courses Australia wide.
Member delegates, alternate delegates and representatives have access granted to the Member Area of the website. This section contains
organisational material, meeting information and specific policy updates for members use. To access this area, you must be listed as one of
the above for your Member organisation and established a password for your email address.
Click the link below and refresh your password to sign in, once signed in you can access all documentation within the Members Area.
Following member feedback and a meeting with DCCEEW, we finalised our submission on the updated draft of the National Water Agreement. We engaged with NFF to make this a joint submission, so that a united industry position could be put forward.
We also wrote to First Ministers outlining the progress and remaining concerns on the NWA and attached the submission.
Thank you to all the Members who have provided feedback into our follow-up submission with DCCEEW on the new National Water Agreement. We
will be sending this off to the Department in early January 2025 as a comprehensive assessment of our areas of concern from industry with
NFF also looking into our draft. As a result, if you come across any more areas of concern, send them through to Zara before 3rd January 2025.
More information on our update is available on the Members - National Water Agreement policy and strategy page.
To download the report and links to key articles via https://app.meltwater.com/report/scheduled-export/download.html?reportid=ktjG3iemmripU4eUYC8t8afK&format=pptx&title=NIC%20Members%20Media%20Report&lang=en Password: Irrigators2024
The staff wish our Members, Partners and stakeholders a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year.
Our office and key communications will shut down from COB Friday 20th December 2024 and will reopen Monday 6th January
2025.
We look forward to working with you in 2025!
NIC has welcomed the refreshed approach proposed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to relax delivery constraints in the
Murray-Darling Basin to value add environmental benefits for rivers and floodplains but warns that firm commitments from Basin governments
are critical to ensure the program’s momentum is not lost.
“The MDBA has delivered an honest account of the challenges the constraints relaxation program has faced” said Zara
Lowien, CEO of NIC. “We support their efforts, but the refreshed process will only succeed if Basin governments reach agreement and commit
to a new approach.” [...]
The MDBA released the Constraints Roadmap today which outlines the new framework for cross-border delivery of the Basin Constraints program for another 10-years. The MDBA stating that “The Roadmap provides a guide for governments and communities in navigating the complex reforms required to relax constraints. The findings reflect the MDBA’s view on how to move forward. We hope that they are embraced by governments. Governments are the ultimate decision-makers on moving forward in relaxing constraints.” […]
NIC today lodged their submission to DCCEEW on the Water Market reform - Intermediaries Code and Statutory Trust Account Policy Position paper with an overarching concern that the regulatory burden of this reform, particularly given its scale and pace. We are also concerned that the reform is going too far, and is becoming disproportionate to the problem at hand, and the size and extent of water markets. While market integrity, transparency and good governance are important – there is enormous risk of not striking the right balance for a proportionate policy response […]
Following recent drop in sessions and the completion of our mapping of the updated version of the NWA against the original NWI, we have
prepared the following draft position, strategy and key messages
document
for Members on the National Water Agreement. We are seeking feedback on this prior to writing to the Department and engaging with
Basin States. Given we have had a couple of drop in sessions, feedback is due 18th December 2024 for the final Member Drop in for the year.
We have set up a new dedicated National Water Agreement page, for Members to track key updates and access all the current
documentation. You will need your email sign in and password to access it.
To download the report and links to key articles via https://app.meltwater.com/report/scheduled-export/download.html?reportid=TticYPJAgtG7b3HRyZXCHRVD&format=pptx&title=NIC%20Members%20Media%20Report&lang=en Password: Irrigators2024
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) expressed its sincere gratitude to Sir Angus Houston, who has led the MDBA since 2020. Under Sir Angus'
leadership, significant progress has been made in fostering better relationships with communities across the Basin, prioritising
transparency, and restoring trust in the management of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
"Sir Angus Houston's dedication to listening to Basin communities and his focus on repairing relationships and trust have been crucial
during a period of significant uncertainty and challenge," said Zara Lowien, CEO of NIC.[...]
The Inspector General this week released their 2022-2023 Murray Darling Basin
Compliance Report. The
report states that "this compliance performance report provides a sample of common compliance activities metrics for each Basin State
which will be incorporated into progressively broader reporting under a Basin-wide compliance performance reporting scheme. It is also
anticipated that future reporting on compliance activities will be at the water resource plan level."
The report provides an overview of the different approaches and outcomes to compliance in each of the Basin States. NSW reported licence
holder numbers not metered percentage (with a target of 95% underway), SA reported 98.2% of take was metered, Queensland report 74% of take was metered, in Victoria 98% was metered (and 76% telemetered), no details for ACT. Victoria has the largest number of statutory officers, despite have the highest percentage of telemetered meters. Victoria also had the highest number of
investigations open and closed and warnings, whereas SA had the highest number and greatest value of fines.
Last week the Federal Government quietly published an updated draft National
Water Agreement (NWA).
This is not the ‘final’ agreement, as DCCEEW says that will be finalised with jurisdictions. We have provided this preliminary
assessment on the new agreement, and invite members to a special Member Drop In on the NWA on Friday,
13th December 12pm-1pm.
Overall, the Department has made many of the recommendations that we and our partners provided having received loud and clear,
consistent messaging. Some more work is still required and we look forward to discussing this with you.
The announcement of $160 million for Southern NSW communities targeted by Government water buybacks for an additional 450 GL, is welcomed by the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) but they warn, it will not make up for the damage. “Removing water from agriculture has enormous flow-on impacts throughout communities, which cannot simply be patched up with one-off handouts,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien. [...]
The NIC has prepared a DRAFT response to the Water Markets Intermediaries Code and Statutory Trust Accounts Policy Position Paper as part of
the Water Reform Roadmap - these provisions will apply to businesses who act as intermediaries and therefore, any Members who act as
water market intermediaries should review the final position paper and our submission and provide feedback.
Feedback welcome by Friday 13th December 2024 to Zara.
This weeks Meltwater report. NIC was mentioned 73 times.
To download the report and links to key articles via https://app.meltwater.com/report/public/yTPfQpWAWgJdtkE63xqCXqVb
Password: Irrigators2024
Attached for Members, is an overview and assessment of the Wentworth Group of Concerned scientists most recent indicators for
assessing the Murray Darling Basin Plan - this isnt their first attempt. We have also included the detailed media release, which
was directly provided to selected journalists which has a few additional facts and figures.
This information can be used to inform your boards or Members. However, we ask for caution in engaging with the media, as we are not
trying to encourage extending this story any more than its current bubble.
Our key strategic response to this, will be our own Murray Darling Basin vision document (still searching for a name) as part of our
response to the MDBA's early insights. It is great to have their view of the Basin world, to incorporate and address in our own document.
Check out our final submission into the Inspector General of Water Compliance Inquiry into the Northern Basin Toolkit.
The Toolkit was a multi-pronged solution developed through the Northern Basin Review to recommit government to existing requirements
(Bridging the Gap requirements), fund a series of investments over-and-above the Murray Darling Basin Plan assumptions and existing levers of just adding water, enhance environmental outcomes and minimise socio-economic impacts. The Toolkit was the Government's initial
investment into complementary measures.
As with many of the Murray Darling Basin Plan elements, it has lacked transparency and accountability, which should be improved in future
program development. The Toolkit highlights a number of great outcomes when investment is provided to optimising environmental water delivery and environmental outcomes.
Take a look at our final submission on both the:
This weeks Meltwater report highlights there was little in water this week, main issues were around constraints adn the appointment of Danny O'Brien to leader of the Nationals in Victoria. Some of you may remember, Danny as our first full-time CEO.
NIC was mentioned 19 times this week in the media. We did not produce a Media Release this week.
To download the report and links to key articles, via https://app.meltwater.com/report/public/jPY6VGk83B6qFrznkFe9bPhE
Password: Irrigators2024
The Australian Government is hosting a webinar to provide an update on our progress in implementing the Basin Plan.
The online public webinar will be held on Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 12:00pm (AEDT). The
webinar will run for 60 minutes.
The panel will include representatives from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Submit your questions in advance
We welcome your questions and encourage you to submit them in advance. Please email your questions to water.engagement@dcceew.gov.au.
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.