NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry
The MDBA published the Murray-Darling Basin Outlook on Thursday 27 November, looking at the future hydroclimate of the Basin.
It considers a plausible range of climate futures to the year 2050 - assuming existing management arrangements, and will be used to inform
evidence for the Basin Plan Review.
A Member Briefing note is available in the Member Area.
The Minister tabled the third independent review into the Water for Environment Special Account (WESA) which funds the 450 GL of additional water for the environment, constraints and the sustaining basin communities program.
A Member Briefing note with links is available in the Member Area.
Farmers in the Basin are calling on the Federal Government to escalate water security for agriculture as a priority, following the findings
of the Basin Outlook, published today which echoed findings from the National Climate Risk Assessment.
“All climate change scenarios will have significant risks on water security for Australian agriculture,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien “farmers
are adapting every day to changing climate, but can only adapt so far, water security is critical” [...]
The Independent Panel reviewing the Water for Environment Special Account (WESA) has released its third and likely final report today.
The report focuses on the funding requirements of the WESA to implement the additional 450 GL of environmental water and constraints. It found, that there is a funding shortfall of $1.3 billion for the 450 GL program and that it is uncertain if the
full target can be achieved. It could not assess financial status of constraints beyond 2026 as no estimates of total costs are available and noted the remaining funds are sufficient for the expected expenses until 2026. No assessment on the Sustaining
Basin Communities funding was undertaken as no outputs were measured, although they did highlight the need for more explicit guidelines
on what is expected to be achieved.
The National Irrigators’ Council is calling for an independent review of program outcomes, after a statutory review on the Water for the
Environment Special Account (WESA) found an additional $1.3 billion would be needed to buy an additional 450 gigalitres, beyond what is
required to achieve Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) in the Murray Darling Basin.
“The report findings call into question the Government focus on just water, with a $1.3 billion blowout, and their own science saying
priorities have shifted” said NIC CEO Zara Lowien [...]
Many stakeholders have been left shocked by yesterday’s Federal Government announcement to fast track an additional 130 gigalitres of water
purchases from farmers in the Southern Murray-Darling Basin, despite evidence that the Basin management needs to move beyond “just adding
water”.
“This was a missed opportunity for Minister Watt to put politics aside and send a strong message about refocusing the Basin Plan on
outcomes, not just numbers” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien. [...]
This week the Government's proposed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 2025 Reform Bills (six of) were referred to the Senate Environment and Communications Committee for review. The Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt says the Australian Parliament
must make a choice - support reform that will protect our treasured natural environment and drive productivity, or keep the broken, outdated laws we have which are failing business, the environment and our community. However Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said “The
Albanese Government’s proposed environment bill will make things worse for nature and the climate. It will take environment protections backwards while fast tracking approvals for business.
Submissions are open now and close on 4 December 2025 with the Committee due to report March next year.
Following our General Meeting and recent NIC policy discussion session, we have prepared a new Members Only Area on the Basin Plan Internal Strategy, and uploaded two key communication documents for Members to utilise during conversations with the MDBA and others, on key
points and evidence regarding the review of the Basin Plan. These documents include:
1. Internal strategy information on what we are aiming to achieve and how we will get there, with detailed explanations on the key areas of
interest. These are for guidance to keep our messaging consistent and should be high-level enough that you can add your local flair or
specific area of interest.
2. External facing document to be shared amongst your networks with key findings and our key requests, as well as high-level points.
IGWC released the 2023-2024 metering report card, providing an overview of how Basin States are progressing national metering standards. The
report looks provides a snapshot of the progression towards AS4747 meters with NSW increasing their coverage of AS4747 meters, just behind
Victoria which has the highest number. The report card does highlight the areas where NSW and QLD are still using estimates for water take,
although these percentages are expected to decline with the roll-out of floodplain harvesting metering which has only just began.
It is important to note that the report card refers to productive/commercial extraction of water, and therefore does not report on
environmental water measurement.
This update relates to persons or classes of people required to report water market information under the Australian Government water market
regulation - this can be IIOs and water intermediaries.
DCCEEW are seeking feedback on the Exposure Drafts for the proposed Water Amendment (Water Markets Information) Regulations 2026
(Regulations) and the Water Market Data Standards. These form the final pieces of the water market reform roadmap and are due for
implementation in 2026.
Exposure drafts and a survey for feedback are provided on the webpage.
On Monday 22nd September Matt Coulton from Ricardo provided Members a presentation on Climate Risks and Water Policy implications in the
MDB. The presentation slides are attached for your information.
A recording of the first half of the presentation is temporarily available here
via teams. The second part of the presentation was discussion and engagement with Matt which was not recorded to encourage open
discussion.
The NIC Board needs your help - they are seeking feedback from Members regarding the 2026 Meeting schedule. The NIC Board is considering two options for our annual meeting schedule. We want to ensure maximum value from meeting face to face for discussions and networking, and balance this with resourcing of NIC and Members to travel. Please complete via this survey (takes 3 mins) prior to Wednesday 10th October!!
NIC provided a submission into Feeding Australian: A national food security discussion paper. We stated "A national food security strategy must consider Australia’s food sovereignty as well as, our role in the future food security needs of our trading partners; to achieve this, a national water security strategy for agriculture will be needed to underpin it. Water is a critical input into agricultural production, and the objectives of this strategy cannot be achieved in the absence of agricultural water security". We provided six recommendations for consideration in developing the national strategy.
NIC has completed our own internal review into the Murray Darling Basin Plan, which is a series of papers addressing the key themes of
the 2024 Early Insights paper using the recently published “Triple Crown of Water Reform Framework” to highlight possible next
steps for the Basin Plan. We hope to help forge a future pathway that embraces the paradigm shift needed for the Basin that is more
about a 'plan of management' than the current ‘water recovery plan’ focus. The review addresses; regulatory design, sustainable water limits, climate change, environment, agriculture and community and contemporary issues.
We encourage stakeholders to reach out to discuss these papers, the evidence, our findings and recommendations.
A Draft Submission into the National Food Security Strategy Discussion Paper is available for review. Please send any feedback via
tracked changes if possible through to Christine or Zara. This is due Wednesday, 24th September.
The discussion paper is available via DAFF here.
Today's release of the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan exposes the risks to Australia’s agriculture sector from climate change, particularly water security for irrigation to grow food and fibre. “Climate change poses a very real risk to irrigated agriculture,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien. [...]
Irrigation Australia Limited's Spring Journal features our CEO, Zara Lowien's comments on the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation (on page 32-35) indicating there were plenty of first the MDBA's 'game changing' 2025 evaluation but what does it mean for the irrigation industry. Zara highlighted the opportunity before Minister Watt has to work collaboratively with communities and industry on a much-needed reset, that looks to refocus the Basin Plan on outcomes rather than numbers.
Australian Farm Institute, Executive Director Katie McRobert says "Much of Australia’s agricultural policy is caught in a loop. When a crisis erupts – be it drought, market disruption, or community outrage – political and media attention surges. Decisions are demanded, headlines written, levers pulled. But as the immediate threat subsides, so too does the will to implement lasting solutions...This edition of the Farm Policy Journal explores that cycle – and asks what we can do to break it. ....The opening article by Christine Freak and Zara Lowien examines the long and often reactive trajectory of water policy reform in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB)...[They] offer offer an original contribution to this challenge in the form of the Triple Crown of Water Reform Framework, which conceptualises reform as a three-pronged effort: water-sharing (Flows), watermanagement (Functions), and integrated resource initiatives (Further)."
Director nominations for the National Irrigators' Council board are due by 10th September 2025.
There are three positions vacant this Annual General Meeting information, with one director not considering re-election.
Please visit the Meeting Documentation - Annual General Meeting page for more information.
NIC and our local Murrumbidgee region Members, are helping coordinate the study tour component of the MDA's 81st Conference which is in Griffith, NSW this year. The study tour will be on 30th September via a bus tour and includes:
- Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd, including their control room and looking at their recent efficiency projects including urban channels.
- One Basin CRC hub
- One of the local fish farms
- Sunrice in Leeton
The tour include lunch at Whitton Malthouse.
Tickets for the tour are to be book at the 'Member Price' via the MDA conference website.
NIC is hosting a Member Networking dinner with guest speaker Matt Linegar from the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation on 30th September at Belvedere Restaurant, Griffith. This event is a great opportunity to hear Matt's leadership story, which no doubt will include a few laughs, and consider industry's next steps as we embark on the review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. Tickets for this event are via the event link using Try Booking - an Italian feast has been organised to celebrate the evening. Drinks are at your own cost.
On 1st October, Day 1 speakers include The Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for Water and Environment, Troy Grant the Inspector General Water
Compliance, Dr Simon Banks, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and there is a panel session on Basin Governance. These speakers and
others provide a foundation to inform discussions at NIC General Meeting on Thursday, 2nd October. The Conference also provides an
opportunity to Members to network with Murray Darling Association Members.
We encourage consideration of attending, however it is up to Members. Tickets must be purchased from the MDA website
using the Member rate for Day 1.
On 1st October, the National Irrigators' Council is holding its Annual General Meeting from 3pm at the Yoogali Club Griffith. Please
use to link to RSVP.
This event is after the Day 1 Conference proceedings.
NIC General Meeting Administration will occur thereafter until 5pm.
On the evening of 1st October from 6:30pm - celebrate and socialise at the Piccolo Family Farm, situated in the heart of Griffith.
Enjoy the ambience and view of Griffith and it’s surrounds while you network over local wines and drinks.
Dine with the MDA and enjoy an incredible, seasonally prepared 3-course meal.
Tickets purchased via the MDA webstie using the 'Member Price'.
On 2nd October, the National Irrigators' Council will be holding their Member General Meeting at the Yoogali Club, Griffith. Proposed time
is 8:30am - 2pm to allow time to catch flights or travel home.
Agenda to be confirmed - discussions on what we heard from the conference, Climate and Risk and Succession planning and industry development
are being planned.
Please RSVP using the link.
A new report has found the Murray-Darling Basin is in full compliance with the new Sustainable Diversion Limits, consistent with previous
findings and the recent 2025 Evaluation that the Basin has seen an environmental turnaround.
“The report confirms Sustainable Diversion Limits are being enforced and in fact, water diversions are well under these limits,” said
National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Zara Lowien.
“Getting water use below these Sustainable Diversion Limits was a huge feat, and it means 1 in 3 litres of irrigation water are now out of
production and remain in rivers.”
The Australian Government committed $3.5 million over 2 years in the 2025–26 Budget to develop the Feeding Australia: National Food Security
Strategy. This was part of an election commitment from the Federal Government, backed by NIC and NFF.
The Government has now published a discussion paper for feedback, with submissions closing on 24 September 2025.
NIC will be providing a submission, and we encourage our memebrs to do the same. We will share our draft submission with you shortly.
Find out more about our community, and join our mission advocating for the Australian irrigated
agriculture industry.