GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION

News

News

A CASE FOR STABILITY IN THE MURRAY DARLING BASIN: THERE’S NO NEED TO REDUCE WATER FROM FARMING
* 72% of inflows now remain in rivers for the environment,
* 1 in 3 Litres of water has been removed from farming since the 1990s
* MDBA data shows 92% of environmental indicators would not improve with further water recovery.
Today’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 habitat, improving fish passage, and targeting barriers to healthy rivers.
After decades of reform, communities and farmers need stability. This means no more changes to existing water limits (inc. SDLAM adjusted) and no more water recovery by any means.
The pathway forward is a partnership with communities who live and work in the Basin - the Basin’s future depends on it.

The NSW DCCEEW announced s324 water restrictions are in place as of today the 17th April 2026.
These are designed to be extreme event policies, however the government have decided to apply the s324 as the active volume in the upper Menindee lakes has fallen below 250GL.
We have argued against this and were able to get the relaxation triggers for FPH in line with those in the Gwydir WSP, a significant win. The restrictions in the Gwydir are as follows:
Gwydir Regulated River Water Source
• floodplain harvesting (regulated river) access licences {The relaxation triggers for FPH licences (as per those already in the WSP, linked to 195GL total storage)}
• supplementary water access licences
Gingham Watercourse Water Source
• floodplain harvesting (unregulated river) access licences
• unregulated river access licences
Mallowa Creek Management Zone in the Mehi River Water Source
• unregulated river access licences
Full details of the restrictions are available on the department website link included

FPH storage classification

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".
These storages  can be made active into the future if your situation changes. Please read the guide, and or watch the video. 
Please follow the link included. Scroll down to the section Amend the works as not taking FPH water

Amend - To ensure your approval is correct, it's your responsibility to confirm that your approval matches the works listed.
Select Works that are classified as not taking licensed water
To classify your work as not taking licensed water (water supply work or floodplain harvesting), please login or register in the Customer Portal and complete the ‘Amend the status of your work’ form.

Please note: There may already be a pre-populated status for your work in the Customer Portal based on our records. If there isn’t a status pre-populated or the status selected is incorrect, please select the correct classification to describe your work.

Further information:

Classification of Works

Entitlement holders in the Gwydir will have received letters regarding works Classifications. We have requested that additional information be provided to you to assist in completing the classification of works. In preparation, we suggest you register on the WaterNSW customer portal.

  • Customers will receive an email confirmation whether you are approved, rejected or require further information to complete the registration.
  • If the approval or licence belongs to a Business, you will need to create a business profile using the manage business function in your customer portal. A video guide is available here
  • WaterNSW will merge existing approvals and licences onto your profile in the portal, this may take up to 5 days
  • Customers will then receive an email notification to review and approve the LNK case in your profile, if something doesn’t look right, reply back to the email asap to have it rectified
  • The portal will provide all the necessary information (work ID, WAL, Works Approval etc).
  • Customers will also be able to see a map showing where the works are currently located.
  • If you need assistance, you can book a phone appointment with the WaterNSW team by clicking here or call 1300 662 077. You can also email licensing@waternsw.com.au for specific questions or assistance

Mallowa: Target in the east have been inundated, some western areas yet to be inundated. Deliveries expected to finish mid-April 2026.
Lower Gwydir: The 3 month delivery of E-water to Lower Gwydir ceased on 26 December 2025. A total of 7,550ML entered the watercourse at Millewa, including 3,200ML of managed E-water. 
Gingham: Deliveries commenced early December 2025. Target flow rate is 100 ML/d connect through to Boyanga Waterhole. Delivery target may continue past February.
Whittakers Lagoon: Orders have been placed to fill Whittakers Lagoon to fill the lagoon before the end of January 2026.
Mehi River flows: Delivery for fish to the lower Mehi commenced 13 December 2025. This flow will continue through Summer and into Autumn.
Barwon River: In addition to the Mehi River flow releases from the Border Rivers and Gwydir valleys commenced over Christmas New Year. This event was designed to support base flows in the Barwon River between Mungindi and Walgett. Releases from Glenlyon and Copeton Dams are expected to cease early February 2026.

The GVIA are currently looking for a Project and Policy Support Officer. 
The project officer role would entail working on behalf of and in partnership with the GVIA Members to deliver requirements as detailed in projects.
The policy support role will entail supporting the EO in the review and analysis of regulatory policy and provide support to Members in the interpretation and application of policy.
The role would also support the EO in communication of water related issues to the wider community. 
More detail are available in the attached position description.
To apply or arrange to discuss the position please email the EO on gvia@gvia.org.au

In partnership with the NSW Government, TAFE NSW has launched a free, 3-hour online course designed to fast-track qualified tradespeople into becoming duly qualified persons (DQPs). DQP's can: 

  • install and validate non-urban water meters 
  • ensure installations meet compliance and safety standards 
  • offer ongoing servicing and maintenance
  • support sustainable, responsible water management. 


The following trades can apply: irrigation technician, plumber, instrumentation specialist, hydrographer, engineer, fitter-welder, closed conduit meter manufacturer, electrician, local intelligence device manufacturer, or telecommunications technician. 

The NSW Government has announced two  funding opportunities
1. Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program
This program supports projects that enhance productivity, sustainability, and innovation across agricultural industries.
Learn more and apply here: Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program | NSW Government
2. Aquaculture Industry Development Program
Designed to accelerate growth and innovation in aquaculture, this program provides funding for initiatives that strengthen industry capability and sustainability.
Full details and guidelines: Aquaculture Industry Development Program Guidelines | NSW Government

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 Outlook modelling scenarios found the Basin will be both wetter and drier, with more extreme conditions with varying impacts and level of uncertainty around the Basin.” 
“It is absolutely important that we consider climate change as part of the Basin Plan Review, but this needs to be fit for purpose, recognising the uncertainty, and extremes to both wet and dry.” 
“We are concerned the document has over-generalised headlines, but when you look at the detail, there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainty,” said Ms Lowien. “That’s not to dismiss the work, rather that when Government responds to it, they need to consider its limitations which are very evident in the report.”
NIC Media release available here

"More water rights in the Murray-Darling Basin will be purchased from farmers and irrigators in a renewed push by the federal government to return 450 gigalitres of water to the environment.".....
"He also flagged that the government is closely considering purchasing water from the northern part of the basin for the first time.
"Recent advice from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority highlights the potential benefits of pursuing water recovery in the northern basin to contribute towards the 450 gigalitre target.
"While this is not an adopted policy of our government right now, I will work closely with my department in considering this advice.""

Show More

News and Events

© 2026 Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association. Powered by Oncord

Follow Us: