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Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industries.

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Did you know?

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

#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. [...] …


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"... …


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. [...]

…


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. [...] …


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. [...] …


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 [...] …


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" [...] …


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 [...] …


The federal government has already broekn its promises on buybacks writes National Irrigators' Council Chair, Jeremy Morton for the Weekly Times  [...] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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. …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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, […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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, […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


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 […] …


This World Environment Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and consider how we finalise the Plan to get real outcomes for our environment. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Over the last few years, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has been able to deliver fish and bird breeding […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has acknowledged the release of the Federal Budget, noting it leaves open a number of unanswered questions particularly on food security, cost of living and water management. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Federal Budget listed over $872 million of savings from abandoned water infrastructure projects, while pausing an additional […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) welcomes the election of the new New South Wales Government following Saturday’s election. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “NIC congratulates the Minns Government on its election at this weekend’s state poll and looks forward to working with the new government and new parliament. “The Government-elect takes the reins at a […] …


The Government’s water buyback program tender documents, with the misnomer “strategic purchasing of 44.3GL/y of water rights”, have been released and they raise some significant questions. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The only thing ‘strategic’ about this ‘strategic purchasing of 44.3GL/y of water rights’ is the name. It is an open tender – throwing a […] …


The Federal Water Minister has today confirmed the Government will seek to buyback water across the Murray-Darling Basin in what will be devastating news for farmers and their local communities. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Today the Minister has confirmed what communities, businesses and workers across the Murray-Darling Basin have been fearing – the return […] …


The Federal Government has today refused to give New South Wales and Victoria more time to deliver their Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) projects, while flagging more buybacks are likely to fill shortfalls. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek has repeatedly said all options are on the table for finalising […] …


The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) this week released its update to the optimistically named Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) and the news isn’t good. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “NIC supports the transition of our national energy market to incorporate renewables, helping to move the country towards net zero emissions by 2050. As a […] …


The Basin Water Ministers Council (MinCo) meets this week and Basin communities and stakeholders are in the dark (yet again) on what’s on the agenda. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “$22 billion worth of food & fibre is grown in the Murray-Darling Basin with a multiplier in economic activity taking that up to around $80 […] …


The Basin Water Ministers Council (MinCo) meets this week to discuss finalising the Basin Plan and it must deliver on its promises to regional communities, businesses, workers and the environment. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “Businesses need certainty to invest and employ workers. Changing goalposts creates uncertainty, fosters distrust and heightens sensitivities. MinCo can’t go […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council acknowledges the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Report Card for 2022 and is pleased to note the progress being made on implementing the Basin Plan. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Basin Plan Report Card for 2022 is full of good news, but you wouldn’t know it if you only […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has released its new position statement on finalising the Murray-Darling Basin Plan with a renewed commitment to implementing the Plan in the best interests of regional communities. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been a success. It has provided balance between the needs of the productive […] …


The National Irrigators’ Council acknowledges the release of the State of the Climate report which timely coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has delivered ninety-eight percent of its surface water targets and over ninety percent of its groundwater targets. It has […] …


Minister Plibersek has confirmed water buybacks are part of the undisclosed ‘significant funds’ allocated to finalising the Basin Plan in this week’s Federal Budget. NIC CEO Isaac Jeffrey said: “The Minister has confirmed Canberra’s worst kept secret that the Government intends to enter the water market and buyback water used to grow our food and […] …


Wednesday 26 October 2022 Budget 2022: Secret Funds, Missed Opportunities and Energy Headaches The new Federal Government has delivered its first budget with a few surprises, including ‘significant funding’ which has been set aside for finalising the Murray-Darling Basin Plan – the problem is only the Government knows how much is allocated and what the […] …


Eighteen months, four new Ministers and rising uncertainty oh to be a fly on the wall at the Ministerial Council (MinCo) meeting to be held in Canberra this week between Basin Water Ministers. NIC Chief Executive Officer Isaac Jeffrey said: “Even with four new ministers sitting around the table and eighteen months to prepare, MinCo […] …

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News & Media from Member Organisations

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

Previous Events

Nov20

Member Drop in - Basin Plan Insights and Northern Toolkit

Nov6

Member Drop In - Water Markets

Oct30

Regional Wrap discussion with NIC CEO, Zara Lowien

Oct30

Member Drop In

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Upcoming Member Events 

Member Networking Dinner

Member Networking Dinner

NIC Member Networking Dinner

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Sydney, NSW

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NIC General Meeting

NIC General Meeting

National Irrigators' Council March General Meeting

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Sydney, NSW

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Upcoming Events by Members and Partners 

Bayer Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field day

Bayer Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field day

Bayer and Dirranbandi Cotton Growers invite you to the Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day at Clyde in Dirranbandi, Western Queensland.

Clyde, Dirranbandi, QLD

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