GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION

News

Water NSW have announced that the free fee period for recording a work/s classification has been extended until 1 December 2026, giving water users more time to ensure each water supply work has a work classification recorded without paying an application fee.
There is now more time available to learn more about works classifications and how to apply. More information is available on the Water NSW our website, with customers encouraged to book a one-on-one appointment to discuss their situation.

Today the MDBA released an information pack outlining emerging policy directions for the Basin Plan review. It is available on the MDBA website and highlights several areas.
1. climate risk and adaptive response
2. The Northern Basin and Menindee
3. Native fish and Water Quality
4. Optimising outcomes from water for the environment
5. Sustainable Diversion Limit assessments where the Gwydir is mentioned 
NSWIC and NIC will be attending a roundtable next week to discuss these areas. 

This week NSW Irrigators Council launched #irrigationMatters This will primarily be a social Media campaign, please share as our communities and our irrigation businesses do matter, 

“Our growers are not just producing for today – they are investing in the future of Australian agriculture. They are growing the food we eat, the fibre we rely on and building farms they want to hand on to the next generation.

“Water policy must give them the certainty to keep producing for Australia, now and into the future.” Media available here

Video to share here 

Facebook

The August newsletter from NSW Irrigators council provides information on 
1. The water Act review: including a link to their submission which focuses on 
a) Strengthen the tripple bottom line
b) Ensure consistency between all licenced water and 
c) Maximising the outcomes of the CEWH porfolio
2. NSW budget estimares
3. The release of the National Water Agreement (which has not been signed by any states)

The NSWIC monthly newsletter reinforces the importance of getting policy settings right to support regional NSW into the future. The endless process of reviews and reforms continues. The newsletter includes comment on the following:

  1. Water Act Review discussion paper consultation underway
  2. 2024-25 SDL accounting shows perfect score
  3. NSWIC GM July event wrap up 
  4. Productivity Commission Review into National Water Iniative

The August Water Allocation Statement makes no changes to ECA or General security allocations. An account reconciliation reduced the General security balance by 10GL.
The s324 remains in place for access to FPH and Supplementary entitlements, however restrictions are temporarily lifted as there is approximately 264GL in the upper lakes at Menindee. The restriction will come back into force if the upper lakes drop to 250GL. 
There is an average 86% account balance for General Security and a 135% account balance for the environmental allowance. 

The Management zones and ecological assets associated with the Gwydir Floodplain Management Plan are now available on an intereactive map. This will be useful to help identify which parts of your landholding fit in which zone, and the location of ecological assestsas determined by the government. 
Submissions on the Gwydir Plan review have been extended and are due on Tuesday 18th August. Submission can be made following links on this department page. Summary of changes are available here

Critical items to consider include: 1. Management of historical works
2. Additional requirements for works in management zones A and D (details available here)

The Floodplain Management Plan for the Gwydir Valley Floodplain 2016 is currently being reviewed. This plan set the rules for flood work development on the floodplains, including what type of flood works can be constructed and where. 
Under the Water Management Act 2000, floodplain management plans must be reviewed in the 5 years before they expire to ensure they continue to effectively support the needs of communities, landholders and the environment.  An  initial review was undertaken in 2022, There is currently the opportunity to provide feedback on how the plan is working and wherer it can be improve
Submissions are open from Monday 20th July 2026 and have been extended to 11:59 pm on Tuesday 18th August 2026

WaterNSW have released a fact sheet providing information on water use data..
Water-use data recorded through pulse outputs, Local Intelligence Devices (LIDs) and the Data Acquisition Service (DAS) may not always exactly match the meter reading displayed in the field.
The fact sheet explains how the systems work together to capture and transmit water-use information, why differences between DAS data and meter readings can occur, and what steps to take if you notice something that doesn’t look right.

Show More

© 2026 Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association. Powered by Oncord

Follow Us: