[ { "post_id": "590", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "Support with FPH obligations", "post_content_short": "WaterNSW have offered to assist members who are Floodplain Harvesting customers to better understand their obligations under the NSW FPH\n\tPolicy.\n\n

\n\tWaterNSW have offered informal one on one sessions, by appointment so that each customer can discuss their specific concern and\n\tqueries, and address any issues that may exist. This is a practical step by WaterNSW to try and help ensure everyone is ready to go when we\n\tget the next FPH opportunity.\n\n

\n\tThe planning is for the week of the 20<\/strong> <\/sup>July<\/strong><\/u> either in Moree (at the GVIA office) or\n\tpossibly at other sites if needed.\n\n

\n\tPlease contact gvia@gvia.org.a<\/a>u to arrange a meeting. Please include details as shown below such\n\tas Registration of Interest (ROI’s) and Work Approvals so we can start to plan sessions. \n\n

Please register by the end of the week 3 July<\/u><\/strong> Thank you\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
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<\/td>\n\t<\/tr>\n<\/table>", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/590\/Regulatory-Information.png", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2026-06-05 06:09:21" }, { "post_id": "589", "post_category_id": "2", "post_title": "Murray Darling Basin Leadership program", "post_content_short": "The MDBLP brings together people from across the Basin who are ready to work beyond their own interests and contribute to strengthening\n\tunderstanding of how the Basin’s water resources are managed. 
\n\tThis is a leadership experience designed for people who care about the future of the Basin and the communities, industries and water\n\tdependent ecosystems it supports.\n\n

You will join a diverse cohort of people from across regions, sectors and backgrounds.\n

\n\tTogether, you will build the skills, relationships and mindset to work through complexity, navigate difference and take action where it\n\tmatters most. This includes engaging your communities, supporting informed dialogue about water use, and helping educate Australians about\n\tthe Basin’s water resources and the pressures they face .\n\nSocial Media on the\nprogram<\/a>", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/589\/MDBA-update.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/rural-leaders.org.au\/murray-darling-basin-leadership-program\/", "post_date": "2026-06-05 05:13:36" }, { "post_id": "588", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "Gwydir Planned Environmental event", "post_content_short": "WaterNSW is making releases from Copeton Dam to target flows at Tyreel Weir in the Gwydir River. The expected peak flow at the site is about\n100 ML\/day from 30 May 2026
\nAdditional information is available in the link", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/588\/DSC_0936-river.jpg", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.environment.nsw.gov.au\/topics\/water\/water-for-the-environment\/catchments#\/catchment\/gwydir", "post_date": "2026-06-05 03:25:26" }, { "post_id": "587", "post_category_id": "7", "post_title": "FPH Classification of works", "post_content_short": "Classification of works for FPH in the WaterNSW customer portal cannot yet be completed correctly.
\nThe appropriate classification for all active works included in a FPH entitlement is Constructed<\/strong>. Unfortunately the\ncustomer portal does not have this as an option yet.
\nPlease register on the portal, but please wait until it is updated to include the Constructed classification before classifying works associated with your FPH entitlement.
\nIn Summary:
\n1. Storage Measurement - For approval holders who elect storage measurement, each active storage used to take FPH water will require\nmetering. Each of these storages needs to be classified as constructed.
\n2. Point-of-intake measurement - For approval holders who elect point-of-intake measurement, each pipe or pump that is used to take FPH water require metering. Each of these pipes or pumps needs to be classified as constructed
\n3. Any other work on the statement of approval that is used to convey FPH water can also be classified as constructed. For example, channels, internal lift pumps, pipes, regulators or block dams*. These works can be classified as constructed and not require\nmetering<\/strong>\nas the FPH rules specify only storages or point-of-intake require metering.
\nWe are working with DCCEEW and WaterNSW to get the classifications distributed to you and the portal updated as quickly as we can. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/587\/Policy-update-(1).png", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2026-06-05 03:21:02" }, { "post_id": "586", "post_category_id": "8", "post_title": "GVIA NSW Connectivity Submission", "post_content_short": "In May the GVIA completed our submission to the NSW connectivity program.
\nWe have significant concerns about this program and the implications it has for members and the communities we live in. 
\nThe concept of connectivity should not be pursued by NSW in isolation from Queensland. This is a whole of basin concept and should be\nfacilitated by balanced conversations with the MDBA. 
\nGVIA members will be provided update in the coming weeks. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/586\/Submissions.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/586\/May-2026-GVIA-NSW-connectivity-submission.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-29 06:47:33" }, { "post_id": "585", "post_category_id": "8", "post_title": "GVIA IPART Submission May 2026", "post_content_short": "The GVIA recently completed a submission for WaterNSW pricing to IPART. Our overall requests were as follows:
\n1. GVIA supports a 5% annual price cap (plus inflation), consistent with IPART's WAMC pricing decision and to balance affordability pressures facing irrigators already under significant net margin strain.
\na. We do NOT support the proposed 10% increase.
\n2. A fundamental review of WaterNSW's operating model, regulatory framework and funding arrangements should be undertaken during the draft 3-year price determination period.
\n3. No further WaterNSW pricing proposal(s) or IPART determination(s) be undertaken until the review is completed.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/585\/Submissions.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/585\/GVIA-Submission_IPART-WaterNSW-Draft-Determination-May-2026.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-29 06:40:28" }, { "post_id": "584", "post_category_id": "5", "post_title": "NSWIC Monthly newsletter", "post_content_short": "Included is a link to the NSWIC may\nnewsletter<\/a>.\nThe topics covered in the newsletter include;
\nFPH compliance update and NRAR media
\nIPART pricing review
\nNorthern NSW connectivity program
\nEasements inundation Bill and Changes to water take: attestation requirements
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/584\/NSWIC-post.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/cf6d61037579\/nsw-irrigators-council-newsletter-10150918?e=1b3d93be9a", "post_date": "2026-05-29 06:36:34" }, { "post_id": "583", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "Environmental flows update", "post_content_short": "Environmental flows are currently being released targeting the Gingham. These will last for approximately 6 weeks, or until the Gingham waterhole has filled. ", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/583\/DSC_0936-river.jpg", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2026-05-29 02:30:40" }, { "post_id": "582", "post_category_id": "7", "post_title": "Can I take FPH entitlement", "post_content_short": "The embargo has been temporarily lifted<\/a> as the upper\nLakes at Menindee are above 250 GL<\/a>
\nThe WSP states under Clause 51: Taking of water under floodplain harvesting (regulated river) access licences
\n(3) The Minister must not announce that the taking of overland flow water is permitted if the volume of water stored in Menindee Lakes\nStorage is less than 195 gigalitres.
\nThis means that if your works approvals are fully compliant you are free to access FPH entitlement. 
\nThe WSP can be accessed here<\/a>.
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/582\/Regulatory-Information.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au\/our-work\/allocations-and-availability\/temporary-water-restrictions\/various-water-sources-northern", "post_date": "2026-05-28 00:28:18" }, { "post_id": "581", "post_category_id": "5", "post_title": "Draft Amendments to Metering Rules", "post_content_short": "On Monday the NSW government released their "Non -urban metering Stage 2 Regulation amendments" for Public Exhibition.
\nThere will be a webinar on proposed changes on 3 June 2026 – click\nhere to learn more and register<\/a>.
\nThe public exhibition perior will close at 10am on Monday 15th June 2026.
\nAttitional information is available on the department website. 
\nThe main area of concerns is associated with the introduction of a requirement for  access licence holders whose access licence has\n3,000 or more unit shares or ML at the commencement of the water year to attest by 30 September to the volume of water taken in the previous\nwater year.  We cannot support this regulation as we see it as unjustified and are actively working on this aspect of the draft\nregulation.
\nI suggest members have a look at the fact sheet and that they attend the webinar. 
\n
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/581\/Draft-Regulation-for-Review.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au\/about-us\/legislation-and-policies\/acts-and-regulations\/water-management-general-regulation-2025", "post_date": "2026-05-20 04:44:03" }, { "post_id": "580", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "Easement inundation information for landholders", "post_content_short": "The Easement Inundation Amendments went through NSW parliament this week, coming into effect on Monday the 18th May 2026. 
\nWater NSW has provided the following information.
\n

\n\t"We recognise the potential for impacts to some landholders in the Gwydir, and are committed to operating\n\tin good faith and providing adequate advance notification of any future environment water releases that may\n\taffect landholders. \n\n

\n\tThe environmental water holders will also continue to liaise with potentially impacted landholders, and\n\tprovide information on the extent, timing, duration and purpose of their watering events. \n\n

\n\tTo receive notifications from WaterNSW, please sign up to receive ‘environmental water release’ alerts through our Early\n\tWarning Network (EWN) platform.<\/a>  "\n\n
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/580\/Useful-Information_V2.png", "post_content_type": "none", "post_content_url": null, "post_date": "2026-05-20 04:35:31" }, { "post_id": "579", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "NSW inundation bill media", "post_content_short": "Please find included Media from the shadow water minister Steph Cooke MP<\/strong> and our local member, shadow agricultural minister Brendan Moylan MP<\/strong>. 
\nThe media is related to the Water Management Amendment (Easements for Inundation) Bill 2026.
\nThe Opposition moved an amendment to provide for a statutory Deed of Release pathway as an alternative to enduring easements. This would have provided landholders with a more flexible, negotiated and reviewable mechanism, while still allowing environmental watering outcomes to be delivered responsibly. This amendment was not supported by Labor or the Greens. The Bill was rushed through the Legislative Council with the Greens' support on 7 May 2026.
\nThe Bill is now awaiting consideration by the Legislative Assembly, anticipated it may be brought on for debate in the coming days.
\n
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/579\/media-(2).png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/579\/Cooke-Moylan-med-rel-Farmers-face-permanent-flooding-under-controversial-inundation-Bill.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-13 00:18:47" }, { "post_id": "578", "post_category_id": "8", "post_title": "Menindee Review Submission", "post_content_short": "The GVIA have just completed their submission to the Menindee Review; The high level requests were as follows. 
\n

\n\t1. The GVIA do not support any proposals that would impact on the reliability of allocation upstream or downstream of Menindee Lakes\n\twithout comprehensive modelling of the benefits from any such proposal, supporting cost benefit analysis and full compensation.<\/em>\n\n

\n\t2. <\/em>Any proposed changes such as connectivity reforms, operating rule changes, or structural reconfiguration are considered\n\tchanges in Government policy, as such will be fully compensable.<\/em>\n\n

\n\t3. <\/em>The MDBA prioritise investment in infrastructure at Menindee Lakes including upgrading Pamamaroo inlet regulator, installing\n\ta gated structure on weir 32 and implementing fish passage on main weir.<\/em>\n\n

4. <\/em>These essential infrastructure upgrades are public good and should be funded by government.<\/em>\n

\n\t5. <\/em>Climate change must be supported through adaptation rather than imposing prescriptive reductions in water reliability and\n\tallocations.<\/em>\n\n
", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/578\/Submissions.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/578\/May-2026-GVIA-Menindee-Review-submission-Final.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-05 03:41:41" }, { "post_id": "577", "post_category_id": "8", "post_title": "MDBA discussion paper submission", "post_content_short": "The GVIA completed our submission to the MDBA discussion paper on Friday the 1st May 2026. The high level requests were as follows:
\n\t
\n\t1. No more water from agriculture (by any means)
\n\tIf the MDBA or Government decide that they want any additional water for the environment, they must purchase it from the open market.\n\tWe cannot accept rule changes as they are a form of compulsory acquisition in direct conflict with property rights.<\/em><\/em><\/strong>\n\n

\n\t2. MDBA strongly reinforce the requirement that NSW government complete constraints in the Gwydir as required under the Northern Toolkit.\n\tThis must involve 
\n\ta. Investigation of strategic implementation of infrastructure (including levees to channel water through private land to the Ramsar site)\n\tin the Gwydir.
\n\tb. Proactive work with impacted community members to complete constraints.\n\n

\n\t3. MDBA urgently pursue a European Carp management strategy which ideally includes the use of Cyprinid herpesvirus-3, the Carp herpes virus.\n\n

\n\t4. The MDBA investigate mechanisms to support implementation of infrastructure such as fish passage in a practical, transparent,\n\tcost-effective process.\n\n

\n\t5. The GVIA support the MDBA position that 320GL water recovery in the Northern Basin is sufficient to satisfy the Environmentally\n\tSustainable Level of Take (ESLT) requirements of the Water Act.\n", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/577\/Submissions.png", "post_content_type": "file", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/577\/April-2026-GVIA-BR-discussion-submission_final.pdf", "post_date": "2026-05-05 03:37:47" }, { "post_id": "576", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "A case for stability in MDB", "post_content_short": "A CASE FOR STABILITY IN THE MURRAY DARLING BASIN: THERE’S NO NEED TO REDUCE WATER FROM FARMING
\n* 72% of inflows now remain in rivers for the environment,
\n* 1 in 3 Litres of water has been removed from farming since the 1990s
\n* MDBA data shows 92% of environmental indicators would not improve with further water recovery.
\nToday’s science shows that protecting river health is more than “just adding water”. There is no need for further reductions in the water for farming. It’s time to optimise existing investment and take practical, on ground action, including; tackling invasive species, restoring\nhabitat, improving fish passage, and targeting barriers to healthy rivers.
\nAfter decades of reform, communities and farmers need stability. This means no more changes to existing water limits (inc. SDLAM adjusted)\nand no more water recovery by any means.
\nThe pathway forward is a partnership with communities who live and work in the Basin - the Basin’s future depends on it.", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/576\/NIC-update.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.irrigators.org.au\/policy\/murray-darling-basin-plan\/2026-basin-plan-review\/", "post_date": "2026-04-24 00:02:21" }, { "post_id": "575", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "s324 Temporary Water Restriction are in place", "post_content_short": "The NSW DCCEEW announced s324 water restrictions are in place as of today the 17th April 2026.
\n\tThese are designed to be extreme event policies, however the government have decided to apply the s324 as the active volume in the upper\n\tMenindee lakes has fallen below 250GL.
\n\tWe have argued against this and were able to get the relaxation triggers for FPH in line with those in the Gwydir WSP, a significant\n\twin. The restrictions in the Gwydir are as follows:
\n\tGwydir Regulated River Water Source<\/strong>
\n\t• floodplain harvesting (regulated river) access licences {The relaxation triggers for FPH licences (as per those already in the WSP, linked\n\tto 195GL total storage)}
\n\t• supplementary water access licences
\nGingham Watercourse Water Source<\/strong>
\n• floodplain harvesting (unregulated river) access licences
\n• unregulated river access licences
\nMallowa Creek Management Zone in the Mehi River Water Source<\/strong>
\n• unregulated river access licences
\nFull details of the restrictions are available on the department website link included", "post_icon": "https:\/\/www.gvia.org.au\/media\/website_posts\/575\/Embargo.png", "post_content_type": "url", "post_content_url": "https:\/\/www.water.dcceew.nsw.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-04\/twr-restrictions-by-valley-2026.pdf", "post_date": "2026-04-17 04:21:37" }, { "post_id": "574", "post_category_id": "1", "post_title": "FPH storage classification", "post_content_short": "Some members with FPH licences will not be using all storages in their works approvals to take water when the opportunity occurs. If this is the case you will need to make these storages inactive, now referred to as \"classified as not taking licensed water\".
\nThese storages  can be made active into the future if your situation changes. Please read the guide, and or watch the video. 
\nPlease follow the link included. Scroll down to the section Amend the works as not taking FPH water<\/strong>
\n
\nAmend - <\/strong>To ensure your approval is correct, it's your responsibility to confirm that your approval matches the works\nlisted.
\nSelect Works that are classified as not taking\nlicensed water<\/a><\/strong>
\nTo classify your work as not taking licensed water (water supply work or floodplain harvesting), please login or register in the Customer\nPortal<\/a> and\ncomplete the ‘Amend the status of your work’ form.
\n
\nPlease note:<\/strong> There may already be a pre-populated status for your work in the Customer Portal based on our records. If\nthere isn’t a status pre-populated or the status selected is incorrect, please select the correct classification to describe your work.
\n
\nFurther information:<\/strong>\n