Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.
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. [...]
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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"...
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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. [...]
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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…
New National Irrigators Council CEO Zara Lowien to Participate in ABARES Outlook Conference
New National Irrigators Council CEO Zara Lowien to Participate in ABARES Outlook Conference The National Irrigators Council is pleased to announce that its newly appointed CEO, Zara Lowien, is looking forward to engaging in the upcoming annual ABARES Outlook conference in Canberra this week. Mrs. Lowien will be a key participant in a panel discussion […] Read More…
Productivity Commission warns Basin Governments – don’t waste time, do your job
Productivity Commission warns Basin Governments – don’t waste time, do your job The Productivity Commission’s Final Report into the 5-year Implementation Review of the Murray Dalring Basin Plan has highlighted significant concerns about Basin Plan governance, saying governments must shape up or fail said Zara Lowien, CEO of National Irrigators Council. “The final report has […] Read More…
NSW Confirms Buyback not the Answer.
NSW Confirms Buyback not the Answer. The NSW Government release of their ‘Alternatives to Buybacks Plan’ as part of their commitment to implement the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been welcomed by National Irrigators Council CEO, Zara Lowien. “It was a show of cards by NSW to reinforce their commitment to avoid buybacks”. “The focus […] Read More…
National Irrigators Council welcomes new CEO
National Irrigators Council welcomes new CEO The National Irrigators Council welcomes Mrs. Zara Lowien as their new Chief Executive Officer, as the organisation prepares for members to visit Canberra for their first meeting of the year and the first, with Zara in the role as CEO. Jeremy Morton, Chair of National Irrigators Council said “We […] Read More…
Basin communities fate sealed during Senate debate
Basin communities’ fate sealed during Senate debate National Irrigators Council (NIC) is disheartened to see Minister Tanya Plibersek’s Restoring our Rivers Bill passed in the Senate today without bipartisan support, as the Government sought deals with individual cross benchers, driving a wedge into the heart of Basin communities. Thirty-three Senators voted to pass the bill, […] Read More…
Peak body opposes last minute water Bill deal that excludes communities
Peak body opposes last minute water Bill deal ahead of Senate debate. National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) is disappointed about the last-minute deal struck between the Albanese Government and the Australian Greens to apparently ‘strengthen’ the Restoring Our Rivers Bill with the addition of new amendments – none of which reflect any socio-economic consideration of Basin […] Read More…
PC warns government you risk just chasing a target
Productivity Commission warns the Government, you risk being seen as just chasing a volumetric target. The Productivity Commission released its Interim 5-year Review into the Implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and was scathing of the lack of progress and planning by Government’s in the lead up to the Plan’s initial deadline of June […] Read More…
NFF NIC NSWIC Federal Government lacks transparency on Basin Plan legislation
Government Withholds Vital Information from Senate on Murray-Darling Basin Bill The Federal Government is attempting to blindside the Senate on its Murray-Darling Basin Bill by refusing to release crucial information on how it will affect farmers, regional communities, the environment and the water market. The National Farmers Federation, National Irrigators’ Council and NSW Irrigators’ Council […] Read More…
NIC Present case to Senate inquiry
The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has appeared before today’s Senate inquiry into the Federal Government’s Restoring Our Rivers Bill 2023, which proposes a range of amendments to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The peak body, which was among 27 individual and stakeholder groups to present at the public hearing in Canberra today, cited its strong opposition […] Read More…
Ensuring the viability and sustainability of Australian irrigated agriculture and the security and reliability of water entitlements The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) is seeking an experienced Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organisation and support industry through national water reforms. NIC is the national peak body representing the interests of irrigators across Australia. This […] Read More…
Options tabled to finalise the Murray Darling Basin Plan
The National Irrigators’ Council welcomed the release of the consultation outcomes paper of summarising community led ideas to finalise the Murray Darling Basin Plan. NIC Chair Jeremy Morton said: “We’ve always suggested there were better ways to finalise the Plan without the need to buy more water from production. “Communities have again, stood up and […] Read More…
Murray-Darling Basin Plan Timeline Extension
The National Irrigators’ Council has today welcomed Minister Plibersek’s announcement that the timelines will be extended to finalise the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Today’s announcement is a credit to Minister Plibersek and her pragmatic approach to finalising the Basin Plan. NIC has been calling for this timeline extension and we are […] Read More…
Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Time Extension and Finalisation Ideas
The National Irrigators’ Council has released its submission to the finalising the Basin Plan ideas consultation process and it comes as the Federal Water Minister has today asked the Basin Authority to report on whether the Plan can be achieved by its mid-2024 deadline. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Minister Plibersek called for ideas on […] Read More…
Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review: Roadmap Released
The National Irrigators’ Council acknowledges and welcomes the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review Roadmap released today at River Reflections by Sir Angus Houston, MDBA Chair. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “All Australians are connected to the Murray-Darling Basin, whether they know it or not. Forty percent of our farms, over $22 billion is economic activity at […] 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.
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.
