The National Irrigators’ Council has continued its recent growth, with the Council welcoming two new members at its AGM in Canberra today.
Southern Riverina Irrigators (NSW) and Sunraysia Citrus Growers (Vic) were both admitted as new members on top of the recent addition of Renmark Irrigation Trust (SA) and a further three corporate observer members.
NIC CEO Danny O’Brien said NIC membership had grown almost 50 per cent in 2010.
“As an organisation, this is a welcome sign that we are providing a service that irrigators think is valuable, but more importantly it strengthens our ability to get results for our members and their communities.
“There is no better example of the need for strength and unity than in the current debate about the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
“The proposals put forward now would cost thousands of jobs, force up food prices and threaten family farms and regional communities. We’ll continue working on behalf of our members to get a balanced basin plan that delivers a triple bottom line outcome – economic, social and environmental.”
Also at the AGM today, Stewart Ellis (NSW) was re-elected Chairman of the NIC, while Gavin McMahon (SA) was elected Deputy Chair and Matt Linnegar (NSW) as Treasurer.
The Council also welcomed a new director in Peter Duggin from Renmark Irrigation Trust to fill the South Australian director position, while Barry Croke (Victoria), Col Thomson (NSW) and Chad Prescott (Qld) were re-elected to their respective state-based positions.
Media Contact: Danny O’Brien (02) 6273 3637 or 0438 130 445