National Irrigators’ Council CEO to tour Murrumbidgee region

The new CEO of the National Irrigators’ Council, Danny O’Brien, will tour the Murrumbidgee irrigation area this week.

Mr O’Brien was recently appointed to the NIC, which is the peak national body for irrigators.

The NIC’s objective is to develop projects and policies to ensure the efficiency, viability and sustainability of Australian irrigated agriculture and the security and reliability of water entitlements.

Mr O’Brien will begin his tour with a visit to Coleambally tomorrow (Wednesday), before moving on to Darlington Point, Whitton, Griffith and Leeton over Thursday and Friday. The visit will include meetings with NIC member organisations, farm tours and discussions with local farmers.

Mr O’Brien will also take advantage of the opportunity to listen to local irrigators at a number of Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s “shed” meetings.

He said the trip was a fact – finding mission to learn more about local irrigation practices, current challenges and the key issues that local irrigators want the NIC to tackle.

“Everyone is facing difficult circumstances at the moment, whether it’s through ongoing drought and low allocations, concerns about government policies or the impact of the Murray Darling Basin Plan which is currently under development,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I look forward to hearing the views of local irrigators so the NIC can better represent their interests in our dealings with government.

“Irrigation is the key economic driver in the Murrumbidgee and we will be working to ensure it remains a viable, sustainable industry well into the future.”

Media contact: Danny O’Brien 0438 130 445