NSW Department of Industry - Water have announced 0% allocation for October in the Gwydir Valley.  With Copeton Dam at 20% and falling with current deliveries, inflows greater than 27,000ML are required prior to any allocations to be made due to shortfalls in targeted water supplies. The full resource assessment is available via the water availability and allocations hub here.

The NSW Government is holding public consultation sessions for the Gwydir Surface Water Resource Plan, which includes all regulated and unregulated water sources in the Gwydir Valley.  The Water Resource Plans are a package of documents included Water Sharing Plans, Long-term Environmental Watering Plans and cultural values for example.  The package can be viewed at the Department of Industry - Water website and consultation sessions are in Bingara 31 October and Moree 1 November 2018.  The GVIA will be attending but members are also encouraged to ensure direct feedback on individual Water Sharing Plan or other water management issues can be tabled.

Water releases under the bulk water release strategy continue with approximately 750 ML/day being released from Copeton Dam.  Current water availability sees 41,000ML for General Security irrigation use with orders in the system now and 113,000ML for environmental purposes. Essential supply forecasts and delivery loss accounts remain 23,800ML below target and hence, inflows will be required prior to a new resource assessment being made available. For detailed resource assessment see the NSW Department  of Industry - Water website and for Water Availability reports and dam releases visit WaterNSW.

The NSW Government are seeking feedback on new draft metering framework released on 27th August 2018.  The GVIA's current position on water take measurement is available on our water policy section and we've provided a quick decision tree to support you in understanding what may be required of you, as entitlement holders under the draft framework.  Members can access for detailed advice in the member section of the website.  Comments on the framework are due to the NSW Government by 30th September 2018 via the online portal.

Young agricultural innovators from across the Parkes electorate are being invited to submit their research project ideas for a chance to share in up to $286,000 in funding through the 2019 Science and Innovation Awards.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said there is an abundance of initiative among young scientists, innovators and researchers in his electorate. “Many of the best new ideas I’ve seen come directly from passionate young people already working in agricultural industries,” Mr Coulton said.
Each winner from the 13 industry award categories will receive a grant of up to $22,000, which could go a long way in making these ideas a reality and helping to advance prosperous careers in agriculture.

The NSW Environment Minister, Gabrielle Upton on Sunday announced the upcoming trade of excess environmental allocation in the Gwydir Valley, amongst others in NSW.  We welcome this opportunity to provide genuine win-win for our local community and others during this dry time.

The NSW and Federal Governments have expanded their drought assistance packages with 100% of the state declared in drought.  One component of this is the automatic waiver of Local Land Services rates and fixed charges for general security and supplementary water licence holders, which are capped at $4,000.  To make the most of these waivers, available to everyone please visit your nearest town and spend those savings in a shop or business, to pass on that benefit to others.  

This week Rabobank are hosting farmers from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria in northern NSW and Southern Qld. It was  a wonderful opportunity to show farmers innovation in irrigation as demonstrated at Keytah where Sundown Pastoral Company, CRDC, the Federal Government and the GVIA have been conducting trials on irrigation efficiency for the last 10 years.

Pump and Irrigation Specialist Ryan Hunt is one of scores of skilled youth who will continue to advance the rural sector into the future. He is just one of the scores of youth returning to rural Australia, keen to forge a meaningful career, without having compromising on lifestyle.

The Join the Ag Revolution Campaign has only been possible with the support of local business. To each and everyone of you a big Thank You from the GVIA.
We have launched in the last week and yesterday released the first of our videos. Which can be found on our webpage or on the Join the Ag Revolution facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/jointheagrevolution/

We are really happy to have launched the first of a series of videos on Innovation and Opportunities in Australian Agriculture. This is an industry predicted to be worth $100 billion in the comming years, but to get there we will need people. There are so many career opportunites now and there will be more in the future. If you are interested in resource management, robotics or irrigation, then agriculture is the industry for you.
Join the AG Revolution is a community of people who are proud to be a part of Australian agriculture visit our webpage or Facebook page to keep up to date with whats happening in ag, #jointheagrevolution

Australian Agriculture is on the cusp of a revolution, with renewed enthusiasm fuelling a transformation.  Precision ag, increased production capabilities, water savinginnovations are all reflective of an industry brimming with opportunity.