NEWS & EVENTS

No balance in Basin Plan, say peak agricultural groups
28 Nov '11

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, […] Read More…

An Historic Draft Basin Plan or the Start of the Great Basin Scam
27 Nov '11

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 […] Read More…

Draft Basin Plan in Danger of Being ‘Half Pregnant’
19 Nov '11

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 […] Read More…

Sensible Outcome at Today’s Water Ministers Meeting
19 Nov '11

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, […] Read More…

Goodwill Starting to Evaporate
2 Nov '11

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 […] Read More…

New CEO for the National Irrigators’ Council
19 Oct '11

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 […] Read More…

Food Bowl funding deal a win-win for all
18 Oct '11

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 […] Read More…

Balanced water reform needs another push
14 Sep '11

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 […] Read More…

Adelaide and Canberra should practice what they preach
21 Mar '11

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 […] Read More…

Irrigators Slam Moves to Sell off CSIRO Research Station
25 Jan '11

The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today expressed its disappointment and frustration over the continued downgrading of ‘practical’ agricultural research which is in direct contradiction to recommend ation 14 of the Windsor Inquiry The CEO of NIC, Tom Chesson said hopes of a last minute reprieve for the former CSIRO research station at Merbein have been […] Read More…

Irrigation Australia Media Release: Murray system reaches full allocation before spring making river operators and landholders ‘
11 Aug '22

Kitler Rural Media Release: Kilter Rural CEO Cullen Gunn talks water returns on ausbiz
9 Aug '22

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Cotton Australia Media Release: Cotton industry’s new framework to help farmers improve soil health
8 Aug '22

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