Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association Inc

News | Fri 1 December

Basin Communities fate sealed by parliament

Please find included a media release from the NIC on Thursday the 30th Nov23 following the vote in the Senate.

News | Thu 30 November

NSWIC Media Water amendment bill

Despite a concerted effort by NSWIC, NIC and NFF on Thursday 30th November the Controversial Water Amendment Bill. Labour did deals with the greens and cross benchers to pass a bill which has not had any regulatory impact assessment done on it and has removed to critical socio-economic considerations initially tied to the 450GL enhanced environmental outcomes for the southern connected system.
This means the 5GL over-recovery from the Gwydir can now be attributed to the 450GL.

News | Fri 10 November

Importance of Complementary measures

On the day the various Senate reports on the Water Amendment Bill were released, we thought it might be time to re-release Cold Fish. A humorous take on the serious issue of Cold Water pollution and the detrimental impacts it can have on native fish populations. It is disappointing that the Government is not considering complementary measure as a critical element to improving the health of our rivers. Instead, the Bill is focused on removing social economic considerations, removing the cap on buybacks and on chasing 450GL without regard to the environmental measures it was intended to achieve.

News | Mon 9 October

Water Amendment Bill 2023 Webinar

DCCEEW hosted webinar about the Water Amendment Bill 2023 on 11 October 2023.

The webinar ran for 90 minutes with panel representatives from DCCEEW, MDBA, CEWH, BoM, ACCC and IGWC.
Questions raised during the webinar will be answered in the near future. Additional information from the department is available here

Events | Mon 11 September

Water Engagement Roundup - Ground water strategy

The Water engagement roundup is a live monthly webinar update about ongoing and upcoming engagements and consultation on important water policy, reforms and programs for NSW. This month we focus on the NSW Groundwater Strategy.

Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (New South Wales)

Duration: 1 hour

News | Fri 18 August

Habitat Action Grants

The Habitat Action Grants are funded from the Recreational Fishing Trusts which direct revenue generated by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee towards onground actions to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW.
Angling clubs, individuals, community groups, local councils and organisations interested in rehabilitating fish habitats in freshwater and saltwater areas throughout NSW can apply for grants of up to $40,000.
Habitat rehabilitation projects which may be funded include:

removal or modification of barriers to fish passage
rehabilitation of riparian lands (river banks, wetlands, mangrove forests, saltmarsh)
re-snagging waterways with timber structure
removal of exotic vegetation from waterways and replace with native species
bank stabilisation works.

Grants are open until the 29th of September 2023

News | Thu 10 August

Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program

The Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust invites applications from people who are actively involved in water and environmental science, systems, advocacy, policy or management, to participate in our unique Leadership Program. This transformative Program is designed to foster courageous leaders who will drive the sustainable and equitable management of Australia’s waterways and natural environments. The PCT Leadership Program enables participants to develop their leadership capabilities, communication skills and ability to drive change.
Limited to 16 participants, this remarkable journey significantly changes the clarity, confidence, shared vision and strategic capability of each participant, and enhances their capacity to take up leadership roles within their organisations and communities.

Applications for the 2024 Leadership Program are now open, and will close on 15 October 2023. The 2024 Program will run across two sessions: 17-22 March 2024 and 19-24 May 2024. Further group work and meetings will occur online between these two sessions.

To apply for a position in the Program, please read the information provided in the links, prepare your application material, and submit via the online application form prior to the closing date. To apply you will need a current CV, statement of claim addressing the selection criteria, two current referees, and your ‘pitch’ for why you are the right match for this Program.

News | Thu 10 August

Australian Rural Leadership Program

Applications are open for the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), the flagship program of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF). Over 30 diverse leaders from across rural, regional and remote Australia, come together for a series of unique and immersive experiences to develop their leadership capabilities. The program takes place over 15 months and develops the capacity of individuals as leaders in ways that are transformational in many, using face-to-face experiential learning supported by online engagement and peer-to-peer mentoring.The program will commence in June 2024 and finish in September 2025 (four sessions with over 40 contact days). For more information about the ARLP, visit https://rural-leaders.org.au/programs/australian-rural-leadership-program/
TO APPLY: You need to apply via our online platform - https://apply-rural-leaders.smapply.io/prog/australian_rural_leadership_program/. You will need to register first.

News | Tue 27 June

Australian Farm Data code

The Australian Farm Data Code (the Code) was developed and adopted by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in consultation with industry, and with support from the Australian Government.
The Code is intended to inform the data management policies of product and service providers who manage data on behalf of farmers. It is also a yardstick by which farmers can evaluate the data terms and policies of those providers.
Benefits to farmers include:

increased awareness and understanding of the ways in which providers are collecting, using, and sharing their farm data;
a framework to compare providers and inform negotiations about data terms and policies; and
improvements to industry-wide data practices over time.

Benefits for service providers include: clear and agreed guidance on data policies and a helpful framework to inform discussions with farmers about data.

News | Tue 27 June

Gwydir Valley Strategic Pig Management

Funding from the NSW Government through the NWLLS Has enabled the GVIA to manage the Gwydir Valley Strategic Pest Management Initiative. The aim is to assist landholders monitor and manage feral pigs in the Gwydir Valley. The most effective management of feral pigs involves a co-ordinated regional approach. As part of the project we are providing Gwydir Valley producers support for feral pig management. To get this support please complete the attached form and forward it with a copy of pig control invoices to Lou Gall at the GVIA office.

Events | Wed 14 June

Consultation on finalising the Basin Plan

The Australian Government has announced consultation into ideas and ways to finalise the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The Gwydir Valley has 5,000 ML of environmental water over the legal requirements for the Basin Plan and the consultation open at the moment presents an opportunity to highlight this and the inequity that exists for the region who has over-recovered water compared with regions that have progress still to make.