Media statement in response to halting of environmental water delivery in NSW
20 August 2025, Canberra, ACT: 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.
States are ultimately responsible for implementing and managing the nationally consistent water management principles in the National Water Initiative and the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder must be confident they are meeting the requirements set by the NSW Government.
NIC has pointed out that while concerning, this decision relates to only a small portion of total environmental water and absolutely does not mean rivers will stop flowing. On average, 72% of inflows are for the environment, and this decision relates to only the 7% which is the Commonwealth owned licences, and of that, only those for use in NSW.
Whilst it is critical that the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder can deliver environmental water to assets in NSW and around the Basin, it is also important they can do so with confidence they are upholding the basic principles of water measurement, recording and reporting that is essential for transparency and accountability of the water management system as a whole, and the ongoing due diligence of this public asset.
Media Contact: Zara Lowien, CEO | 0427 521 399 | ceo@irrigators.org.au
