Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.
Christmas closure period 2024
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 welcomes MDBA’s refreshed approach on constraints, calls for firm Government commitments
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.” [...]
Read More…
NIC thanks former MDBA Chair for his leadership
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.[...]
Read More…
Economic boost welcomed but will fall short of damage done
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. [...] Read More…
Did you know?
Today is a great day to celebrate that 93% of Australia's fruit, nuts and grapes together with 83% of our vegetables are all grown by irrigation.
Every day, is great day to support Aussie Farmers and buy Australian grown fruit, nuts and vegetables.
#AgDayAU celebrating that Aussie farmers grow more crop per drop
15 November is National Ag Day, a day to celebrate the amazing work our farmers and the broader agricultural industry do for Australia. Australian
irrigators are recognised as the most water efficient in the world, growing more crop per drop than many of our international counterparts.
100% of Australia's rice is irrigated, and is world leading using 50% less than the global average [DAFF].
85% of Australia's cotton crop on average is irrigated, the cotton industry has increased its water use efficiency by 240% since the first crop in the 1970's [DAFF]
Irrigators’ have called out Minister Plibersek’s announcement of having ‘1000 willing sellers towards’ the Commonwealth’s tender to buy
water for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, as a political stunt on the day of Senate Estimates.
“The last time Minister Plibersek announced a buyback tender round had been over-subscribed, the Government later rejected 72% of the
offers contracting only a small proportion of the reported offers (26 GL out of 90 GL), mostly due to value for money concerns,” said Zara
Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council. [...]
Read More…
Watering down of our national water blueprint
National Irrigators' Council CEO, Zara Lowien writes "after decades of difficult reforms implementing Australia's best-practice water
management blueprint - the National Water Initiative (NWI) - the federal government is negotiating to water it down, in the National Water
Agreement (NWA).
If the NWI is the architecturally designed blueprint, the NWA is the flatpack version with unclear instructions and a few missing
pieces"...
Read More…
The independent advisory body with statutory authority to review Australia’s national water reform has published scathing feedback on the Federal Governments proposed National Water Agreement, calling the approach “detrimental to the conduct of water management in Australia” [...] Read More…
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National Irrigators' welcomes new leadership
The National Irrigators’ Council proudly announces the election of a new leadership team at its Annual General Meeting in Canberra last week. This transition includes the appointment of Ms Jenny McLeod as the first female chair and Ms Rosalie Auricht as vice-chair, alongside
two new board members, Ms Jenna Bell and Mr Ben Fessey. [...]
Read More…
Buyback round designed to over-estimate interest ahead of election
he Federal Government continue their pre-election rush, with a flawed buyback tender process designed to over-estimate irrigator interest in selling water to the Government as part of the Government’s relentless pursuit of buybacks to achieve the additional 450 GL of water under the Basin Plan. This is despite Minister Plibersek’s assurances that all other options, other than buybacks, were on the table. [...] Read More…
Irrigators warn the Federal Government is on a power grab before the election
The Federal Government is again being called out for rushing through risky and untested reforms that seek to gain more power for themselves, prior to the upcoming election. Consultation soon closes on their recent grab, to list two new areas as “endangered” under national environment law, replicating a controversial and subsequently, disallowed move by the former Labor Government in 2013. [...] Read More…
Opinion Piece - First Class Meddling
The federal governments draft National Water Agreement should be of concern to all who rely on rivers writes National Irrigators' Council CEO, Zara Lowien for the Weekly Times [...] Read More…
States urged to say no way to NWA
National Irrigators are calling on states and territories, the future signatories to an updated National Water Agreement, to say “no way to the draft NWA”. The Federal Government’s rushed NWA is tipped to be our nations next water management blueprint[i] but risks major changes to water management frameworks in its current form. Zara Lowien, CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council said, “States cannot sign the current draft NWA" [...] Read More…
Speech at National Ag Rally, work with us not against us
Speech by Zara Lowien, CEO National Irrigators’ Council, at the National Ag Rally, Canberra ACT [...] Read More…
Answers needed on buyback strategy with water usage below Basin limits
National Irrigators Council are calling on the Australian Government for answers, as they continue to pursue additional water purchases when water usage is well below the Basin Plan limits. National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Zara Lowien said “the recently released data from the Murray Darling Basin Authority[i] confirms the core objectives of the Basin Plan are being achieved with water take 23 percent below the Basin Plan limit [...] Read More…
The federal government has already broekn its promises on buybacks writes National Irrigators' Council Chair, Jeremy Morton for the Weekly Times [...] Read More…
Six months since the Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Bill ascended and despite assurances that all tools are in the toolbox, the Federal Water Minister, Tanya Plibersek is opting only for one, to fund buybacks1. The first communities in the firing line being the Southern Murray Darling Basin despite not knowing the likely impact. Read More…
National Irrigators warn collaboration is needed on key reforms
National Irrigators warn collaboration is needed on key reforms Canberra, ACT, 27 June 2024: On the eve of the National Water Ministers meeting, the National Irrigators’ Council is calling on state Water Ministers to demand accountability from the Federal Government for a more inclusive and effective approach to National and Basin water issues. The Council’s […] Read More…
Insights Paper on Murray Darling Basin Plan Review flips the focus to outcomes
Insights Paper on Murray Darling Basin Plan Review flips the focus to outcomes 20 June 2024, Canberra, ACT: The National Irrigators’ Council welcomes the release of the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s early insights paper as positive shift in thinking on how best to manage the Murray Darling Basin. The National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Zara Lowien […] Read More…
Government’s amendment to Basin Plan impacts keeps communities in the dark
Government’s amendment to Basin Plan impacts keeps communities in the dark 12 June 2024, Caberra, ACT: The Australian Government is attempting to use the $300 million Sustainable Communities Program to divert attention from their addendum to the Murray Darling Basin Plan regulatory impact assessment which lacks transparency on the true cost of the Basin Plan […] Read More…
National Water Agreement Submission
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback into the Australian Government’s National Water Agreement Discussion Paper. The opportunity to submit our voice into this critical agreement for ongoing national water planning and management, has been considered with much consternation on the part of our members. We are frustrated at the current urgency to undertake this discussion process, right now. We are frustrated at the opaque and minimalist engagement process now and during the agreement development stages. We are frustrated that 20-years of difficult reforms for many across Australia, are seemingly being disregarded. Read More…
A renewed National Water Agreement
A renewed National Water Agreement Zara Lowien*, Canberra, ACT: Over two decades the National Water Initiative (2004) has played a crucial role in shaping the future of water management in Australia and it remains world leading. It has supported the growth and sustainability of the irrigation industry but in doing so, it has also reshaped […] Read More…
VIC Basin deal must reignite win-win projects for all states
VIC Basin deal must reignite old and new win-win projects for all states Canberra, ACT – The National Irrigators Council (NIC) is relieved that the stalemate between the Australian Government and Victoria appears broken with agreement to fund Victoria’s stalled Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects. This crucial step is a win-win for Victoria […] Read More…
ACT Basin Plan deal seeks to close the gap but triggers the need for more transparency
ACT Basin Plan deal seeks to close the gap but triggers the need for more transparency Canberra, ACT – The National Irrigators Council (NIC) welcomes the recent announcement by the Federal Water Minister regarding the finalisation of bridging the gap in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), signalling further progress towards Basin Plan implementation. The deal, […] Read More…
Ambitious women urged to join ag leadership program
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/
Read More…
Churchill Fellowship information session for ag hort and food sectors - February 25
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).
Read More…
Training opportunities with IAL
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.
Read More…
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Sydney, NSW |
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Sydney, NSW |
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Cotton Australia Board room |
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Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.