In One Basin CRC up-coming webinar series explores integrating Basin-scale and onsite water systems with a joint partnership with One Basin
CRC and One Water Program at Texas A&M University in the United States. In response to increasing water scarcity, climate
variability, and growing agricultural and municipal water demands, integrated “One Water” approaches are gaining global traction.Hear more
at the Webinar Thursday, 21 May 2026, at 10:00am.
The MDBA together with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation are hosting a free webinar to hear more about their new leadership initiative - A leadership program for people ready to work across sectors, communities and perspectives to support the long term health of
the Basin and the communities it sustains. For anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity, a webinar is being held
on Wednesday 20th May 2026 | 4pm - 5pm.
Last night, the Treasurer presented the Government's 2026 Budget. Its contentious due to is reform agenda to the tax system, their
assumptions and whether Labor have broken trust with Australian's over their proposals. The bottom line is that we are projected for
at least another 10-years to be in deficit and that will affect the Government's thinking when it comes to how they generate income and
their likely spending priorities going forward.
Attached is a briefing note from NIC which is specific to the Water Portfolio items which are much less controversial but indicative that
water isnt a major priority. For water and the MDB, the likely expenditure is again as clear as mud with references to not for publication subtlety hidden as notes to tables, with no clear line items to attribute what may or may not be the future budget. We have made some calculations here using what we have available, however it may not be the full picture. As with many portfolio areas, there is a lot of
savings and not a lot of new expenditure. These savings include another $104M from the National Water Grid with only $21.1M in new spending to top up existing programs.
This submission is provided to the Productivity Commission’s (PC) fourth inquiry on governments’ progress under the National Water
Initiative (NWI), as required by the Water Act 2007 (Cth). NIC notes that this inquiry comes at a time of significant review, and
potential change, of water policy settings across Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). The consultation burden affects
stakeholders and Government.
This submission is provided to the review of the operation and management of the Menindee Lakes system. Many of our Members are critically
linked into the frameworks and operations of Menindee Lakes via existing sharing arrangements through the Murray Darling Agreement or local
sharing plans - above and below the Lakes. This submission therefore represents the views of irrigation entitlement holders and water users,
and non-government water delivery networks, up and downstream of the Lakes.
Following a quick presentation from the PC and our Member Policy Discussion yesterday, please see the first draft of NIC's Submission into the Productivity Commissions Inquiry into National Water Reform. This is due to be lodged tomorrow, however given the timeframes we
can hold off until Monday for feedback and lodge Monday evening.
We hope that little bit more time allows you time for feedback and review. Please reach out for a word document if you want to provide tracked changes.
Following feedback from Members and the discussion at the Member Policy Session yesterday, please see an updated version of the NIC
Menindee Submission attached. This is due to be lodged tomorrow, so please review for final checks.
Changes included adding clear statements on boundaries on what the vision for the Lakes must recognise, as well as including the final
agreed principles as recommendations. We included reference to the shepherding trial and clarity around the exiting multi jurisdictional arrangements now within the Water Act.
The draft NIC Submission for the Menindee Lakes Review is now available for member feedback. You will find the draft submission on our
members area > policy & strategy > Menindee Lakes.
We will discuss the draft submission at next weeks Drop-In, which is an opportunity to provide feedback.
