GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION
The MDBA will be meeting with the Gwydir CGA on Monday the 16th March. Some of the key people from the MDBA will be present to talk
through current issues and the Discussion Paper.
This will be at the Social Co-House in Moree on Monday 16 March at 3.00 pm to 4.00pm.
For more details and information please reach out to Georgina on secretary@gwydircotton.com.au
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:
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
Celebrating National Ag Day in the Gwydir.
Irrigation in the Gwydir supports
* 230,000 Pecans
* 360,000 Orange and
* up to 70,000ha irrigated Cotton.
"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.""
The New England North West AI Forum, in association with Telstra, and supported
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Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Time: 10:45 AM to 2:00 PM (includes networking lunch)
Venue: Social Co House, 157 Balo Street, Moree NSW
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“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.
“At the MDBA’s invitation, Basin Leaders gathered in Adelaide to consider the recently released scientific evidence which found
environmental priorities in the Basin have shifted and emboldened participants to work on solutions to move beyond ‘just adding water’”.
“Stakeholders were focusing on how to achieve environmental outcomes and considering options to reduce invasive species and improve native
fish populations, better integrate broader catchment management principles into Basin management, and how to efficiently get water onto
floodplains.”
“The announcement which targets additional environmental water, above Sustainable Diversion Limits and arguably with low environmental
utility due to the uncertainty of constraints, was at odds the proactive and productive discussions”.
The Murray Darling Basin Plan 2012 has achieved its goal to reduce diversions to Sustainable Diversion Limits delivering a healthy working
basin with optimised social, economic and environmental outcomes. The Basin Plan Evaluation notes that flow-based outcomes have been
achieved, there’s no need for more water as 72% of river flows are for environmental purposes.
There are still many non-flow outcomes needing to be achieved. The focus must be on getting better outcomes from existing water, by
addressing barriers to improve environmental outcomes, including carp management, riparian management, fish screens and fish passage. It is
in Australia’s best interest for water policy to focus on shared outcomes not politics into the future. The next MDBP must be a management
plan not a volumetric plan.
NIC media release.
A new report by the Inspector-General of Water Compliance (IGWC) found: "All 78 SDL resource units assessed for the 2023–2024
water accounting year were found to be compliant."
“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.”