NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
The MDBA has now provided an update following the SDLAM draft determination (following a meeting with NIC), which compares the supply contribution amounts assumed in the 2017 determination with the proposed supply contribution amounts assessed through the 2026 reconciliation.
The current draft agenda and associated meeting papers are now available for our General Meeting, over the afternoon of 13th October and the
morning of 14th October 2026.
Gusts confirmed include the Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water, David Farley,MP the Member for Farrer and One Nation
spokesperson for water and agriculture, and the Hon. Micahel McCormack, MP Member for Riverina and Shadow Minister for Water.
Please do not forget to RSVP in person or online via the event link.
The updated Agenda and Meeting Papers are now available for the NIC Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 13th October 2026.
These can be accessed via the Members Area of the website under Meeting Document/Annual General Meeting information. Reminder you will need to log in to access this area.
Please do not forget to RSVP - in person or online.
The MDBA has released the draft determination for the SDLAM reconcilation. The NIC team have prepared a briefing note, on the implications of this determination as a first response, with a few key messages. We have asked the MDBA to provide this as part of the consultation materials.
A session at the General Meeting has been scheduled to discuss project alternatives to provide a solution to the SDLAM
shortfall.
The MDBA release the draft Determination for the SDLAM Reconcilation and has now opened consultation period until 1 November 2026.
The Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) reconciliation is a statutory requirement under the Basin Plan (2012) (the
Basin Plan). The MDBA are asking for feedback on the draft determination and the Authority’s proposed Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL)
adjustments.
Southern Basin communities risk losing a further 265 GL of water according to a new Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) report, unless the
Federal Government changes course and puts today’s evidence ahead of past politics.
“These communities have endured 30 years of reform, already losing 1 in 3 litres of water from farming, who are now hearing they risk a
further 265 GL, on top of the 450 GL the Federal Government is already out purchasing,” NIC CEO Zara Lowien said. “It’s time to move beyond ‘just adding water’ to the environment, today’s environmental challenges need the right tools, and farmers and communities need stability.” [...]
Wednesday, 30th September between 10-11am MDBA presenters will bring together evidence, stakeholder feedback and emerging policy directions across a range of topics being examined through the review, including:
The Australian Government is seeking feedback on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) training and large data centres in
Australia.
The consultation topics speciically include sustainable water use.
Consitlation commences today, with submissions due by Friday 9 October 2026.
NIC have been working on a Water Security and Climate report which is now available to review titled 'Certainly uncertain: A report on water
security in a variable and changing climate in the MDB'.
This report aims to provide evidence of the existing climate mechanisms, to avoid needing further change and puts a number of key
recommendations on the Basin Plan, Water Act and within drafted NIC Policy Position Statements in one document. The report also raises a
clear case about the role of water policy and other levers, in helping to achieve water security as a policy objective - walking the line of
why international definitions are not appropriate.
We welcome feedback and comment on this report by 5th October to allow time to incorporate and release in and around our General Meeting if needed.
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agriculture industry.