Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.
Not much for Christmas lunch without Australian Irrigators
Christmas lunch would be a bit of a sad affair without the work of Australia’s irrigators says National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. “Like many people I look forward to this time of year, to fresh summer fruit, crispy fresh vegies and those delicious Christmas extras the fruit mince pies, ice cream, custard and […] Read More…
Better than expected? Basin Water Ministers
Threats to walk away from the Basin Plan sensibly didn’t come to pass and there was progress down the path of addressing key recommendations from the Productivity Commission, perhaps better outcomes than might have been expected – says National Irrigators Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan said “the one thing that is abundantly clear […] Read More…
Irrigators tell Basin Ministers to deliver not quiver
Murray Darling Basin water Ministers face a crucial test when they meet in Brisbane on Tue 17 December says the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC). NIC CEO, Steve Whan says “the meeting will be a real test for Ministers, they can either choose parochialism and short-term electoral gain, or they can commit to work together to […] Read More…
Irrigators Council says, fix don’t ditch, on Basin Plan
The National Irrigators Council (NIC) says that while it understands the hardship driving the anger of irrigators protesting in Canberra this week, its members feel that the problems would be made worse by ditching, rather than fixing, the Basin Plan. NIC represents irrigators across the Basin states, members want to see problems addressed, but do […] Read More…
Irrigators welcome release of additional water for agriculture
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) today welcomed the Federal Government’s step up in drought support measures with the once-off provision of 100 gigalitres (GL) of water in the southern connected Murray-Darling Basin. NIC Chairman, Gavin McMahon said “The announcement by the Government of 100GL as part of its drought relief package will be warmly welcomed […] Read More…
Irrigators welcome NSW/Vic flow review, but warn supply projects must be delivered
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) welcomes the NSW and Victorian Government independent expert panel on Basin river flows, saying it is important to focus on achieving real environmental outcomes not just ticking off flow targets. CEO, Steve Whan, said “Victoria and NSW have started a process which should involve all Basin Governments and one, importantly, […] Read More…
2017-18 stats show irrigation doing its job, securing food and fibre
Irrigation infrastructure is designed to help Australia keep growing food and fibre in a variable climate and, Australian Bureau of Statistics (gross value of irrigated production) figures for 2017-18 show, that is exactly the job it was doing . ABS figures for 2017-18 show the proportion of Australia’s fruit and nuts (by value) produced by […] Read More…
NIC welcomes water market inquiry
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the announcement of the terms of reference for an ACCC inquiry into the water market. CEO Steve Whan said “NIC has been highlighting concerns and advocating an inquiry into the water market for some time. We are pleased to see the announcement by the Treasurer and Water Minister […] Read More…
Irrigators’ ask for Ministerial action on river operations and five-year Basin Plan review
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has written to Murray Darling Basin water Ministers ahead of their meeting this weekend, calling for action on deliverability issues, losses and a focus on implementing the Productivity Commission’s five-year review of the Basin Plan. CEO Steve Whan said “with the Murray Darling Basin experiencing a severe drought we have […] Read More…
Water recovery must consider country communities – NIC responds to 4Corners
NIC CEO, Steve Whan, says “Irrigators make absolutely no apology for wanting to ensure country towns and our farmers have a future. “That’s why when Government decides it is going to acquire water for the environment, we will always actively work to try to ensure that water is acquired through water saving rather than buyback. […] Read More…
“In a country with such variable rainfall, irrigation is the reason we have fresh food on our tables. “That’s why, when the Basin Plan was developed, the then Labor Government decided that a key part of how water would be retrieved for the environment would be via programs that made irrigation more efficient and productive. […] Read More…
Butler and Butler congratulated as shadows by NIC
The National Irrigators Council (NIC) says it looks forward to working with a new Shadow Minister for Water as Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese announces his Shadow Ministry. CEO Steve Whan said “after a very long engagement with the Murray Darling Basin Plan, former Minister and Shadow Minister, Tony Burke, has moved on to a new […] Read More…
Scathing report shows need for water market registry reform
An MDBA and Deloitte report on water trade price reporting in the Murray Darling confirms concerns that the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has been expressing for some time about lack of transparency, confusion and inconsistency in State water trading registers. NIC CEO, Steve Whan says “this report shows that the water market has run way […] Read More…
Irrigators welcome new Morrison / McCormack Government Ministry
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has congratulated the newly appointed Morrison / McCormack Government Ministers saying it looks forward to working with them as they tackle difficult tasks. CEO, Steve Whan says “key Ministerial appointments for the irrigation sector include the welcome re-appointment of David Littleproud as Minister for Water, and with new roles on […] Read More…
A 73% reduction in electricity costs for pumping irrigation water would not just be music to the ears of producers but would also put Australia back on the map as a competitive producer of food and fibre, says National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) CEO, Steve Whan. Steve Whan was commenting as part of an open day […] Read More…
Don’t punish communities – message to Labor on Basin Plan policy
The National Irrigators’ Council says Labor’s Basin Plan policy, announced on Monday, could end up punishing communities and industry for failure to achieve projects that are completely beyond their control. CEO, Steve Whan, says “Labor needs to be very clear about whether it wants the best possible environmental outcomes, or if it thinks deadlines are […] Read More…
ACCC review of water market operation welcome
The National Irrigators’ Council says the Coalition announcement of an ACCC inquiry into the water market is welcome and it would like to see bipartisan support. NIC CEO Steve Whan said “our election policy asked for Government action to make the water market more transparent. We welcome the announcement, though Government needs to ensure irrigators […] Read More…
Irrigators’ say more needs to be done to improve river habitat
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has released its Federal election water policy calling for the next Parliament to stick with the Basin Plan; but do more to improve river habitat. CEO Steve Whan says “we need to ensure that environmental benefits of providing additional water are maximised. The Basin Plan will increase flow, but flow […] Read More…
Deputy Prime Minister’s long-term focus on irrigation for the nation is welcome
A long-term national, scientifically based, focus on maximising Australia’s ability to sustainably produce irrigated crops should be welcomed by every Australian who likes to eat and wear clothes, says National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Steve Whan. He was responding to the pre-election announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister that, if re-elected, the Government intends to set […] Read More…
Election energy fix is about market operation & cutting excess profit says Ag Energy Taskforce
The energy price crisis affecting Australian agriculture is not going away, and our food and fibre producers want to see focus on solutions,rather than argument, in the current election campaign – that’s the message from the Ag Energy Taskforce in its election policy. The Ag Energy Taskforce is an informal group of Agricultural peak bodies […] Read More…
Irrigation Australia Media Release: Murray system reaches full allocation before spring making river operators and landholders ‘
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Bayer and Dirranbandi Cotton Growers invite you to the Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day at Clyde in Dirranbandi, Western Queensland.
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