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
Gwydir CAG afternoon session: Tuesday 17 March 2026 – 1:00pm to 4:30pm At: Social Co House
Cate Barrett and Thomas Walters, Hydrogeologists from the Groundwater Management and Science, Water Science will be providing an update on the Lower Gwydir Ground water Source.
We encourage ground water entitlement holders to attend to be provided an update. This is important to help inform our understanding of the
risks for the water source.
Please find included our proposals regarding the Initial SDL Assessment Lower Gwydir Alluvium (GS24). Expectation that the trade
restrictions fully implemented across the water resource in 2023 will continue to show improvements in the recharge capacity or the resource
once they have been in place for a minimum of 10 years. The GVIA Request the following;
1. No change to SDL until management arrangements (trade restrictions) have had time to demonstrate that they are suitable.
2. Support maintaining the existing trade restrictions until 2035 (15 years) to enable their impact to be fully appreciated.
3. Support maintaining the existing carryover.
4. Users are actively engaged in consultation on the Water source between the MDBA and NSW DCCEEW before any changes to management are made.
The Menindee Lakes Review aims to define the issues with the current management the Menindee Lakes and explore options for
improved managing the Lakes for the health and resilience of Basin communities, industries and the environment. The GVIA want this to be for upstream and downstream communities, not just downstream as is currently occurring. The MDBA see it as an opportunity to strengthen
what is currently working and identify where change might be needed. The review, by the MDBA on behalf of the joint River Murray
governments, complements ongoing work by New South Wales to improve water resource management and environmental outcomes in the region as
outlined in the Menindee Review Consultation Paper.
Of most concern to GVIA members is that the review is focused downstream of the lakes in the lower Darling and Murray. Yet when
mismanagement leads to an outcome that politicians don't like, everyone expects the problem to be solved by restricting water sources
upstream. The GVIA will be ensuring that we do everything we can to raising our concerns. We will be pushing strongly for the Pamamaroo
inlet regulator to be fixed, as it is one of the areas where failure to address problems in a timely and efficient manner is having negative
impacts on northern basin entitlement holders and their communities.
Landholders can apply for a $1000 or $2000 reimbursement if they extract water from groundwater, or regulated or unregulated river sources in the Murray–Darling Basin and hold an annual entitlement of 100 ML or greater.
It’s also on offer farmers and landholders who have used 100 ML of water or more in any one year since 2023.
The cashback ensures water users who are required to install telemetry devices but choose to engage their own duly qualified person (DQP)
instead of participating in the program’s free device rollout, which is currently underway across inland regions of the state.
The recently released MDBA discussion paper identified in the initial assessment of Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDL) that there are risks
for us.
The Gwydir surface SDL
may not support Basin Plan environmental outcomes. This is primarily related to floodplain inundation and waterbird breeding in the ramsar sites. It is tightly linked to the Northern Toolkit Gwydir constraints project. The MDBA is supporting the completion of the reconnecting
water course country program. The GVIA will support community supported constraints' management as an overriding principle.
The Lower Gwydir
Alluvial SDL
was also identified as being at risk. This is primarily as the recharge has not occurred as would be ideal. Importantly we must accept that
as it is a large aquifer with high buffering it takes a long time for changes in recharge to affect overall levels, i.e. the
aquifer has low sensitivity to use or changes in recharge. Trade restrictions implemented from 2020 to 2023 are showing positive outcomes.
We will be supporting the existing trade restrictions put in place by DCCEEW for an extended time, 15 years, to enable time for changes to
be observed. As such the GVIA will be working towards no changes to SDL until 2035.
In early February the MDBA released the Basin Plan Discussion Paper. This is the four document which inform the review and the development of the next Basin Plan. The document suggests that we need more of a management plan now. There are however still some concerns. The assumptions informing the discussion paper are that SDLAM project will be completed and the whole 450GL for the southern connected system will be recovered. Of most concern is that 100GL of this will be from the north. The document also talks about creating connectivity in the north and the use of rule changes. Neither of which are acceptable to our members. We have consistently stated that
The department released the latest Gwydir regulated Water allocation update on the 6th February. There has been no allocation to general security (GS) licences.
The GS account balance is about 479 gigalitres (GL), or an average 94% of entitlement. Of this 144GL is HEW.
The environmental water allowance (EWA) balance is about 73 GL, or an average of 162% of entitlement.
During January, total essential supply demand was about 3.8 GL, and GS usage was approximately 109.2 GL. Average GS account balance is 94%
Around 7.8 GL of EWA delivered during this period, resulting in an average account balance of 16@% as of 31st January.
All the forecast quantiles sit well below the historical flows, indicating that inflows from January to March 2026 will likely be lower than
historical levels.
The GVIA currently has three ground water parcels available for temporary trade. Please email Lou at gvia@gvia.org.au if you have any questions.
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:
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.
National environment listing in MDB, just words not action
15 January 2026, Canberra, ACT: Today’s announcement to list parts of the Murray Darling Basin floodplains as “critically
endangered” under the updated Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) adds another layer of complexity to
already heavy regulation in the Basin – and will achieve little without real investment in addressing delivery constraints and major threats
like carp.
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
The Gwydir AWD released on the 12th Jan 2026 indicated that there was an estimated 6 GL of inflows into Copeton Dam and 2 GL from the
downstream tributaries during Dec 2025, and therefore no allocation increment to General Security (GS) or ECA licences.
The average GS account balance is 115%, while the ECA account balance is 180%.
During December, total essential supply demand was about 4.9 GL, and GS usage was approximately 29.9 GL. Around 6.9 GL of EWA delivered
during this period.
More information is available on the department website
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:
Mallowa: commenced 5 Dec 2025 and are planned to continue through to April 2026.
Lower Gwydir: commenced 3 Oct 2025 finishing shortly after 3 months of watering.
Gingham: commenced 1 Dec 2025 at of 50 ML/d increasing to 100 ML/d (maximum through raft) through to Boyanga Waterhole. Flows likely
to cease Feb 2026.
Whittakers Lagoon: Is expected to fill early in the new year.
Mehi River: Lower Mehi fish deliveries commenced 13 Dec 2025 connecting with the Barwon River to create local fish movement
between the rivers.
Barwon River: CEWH and NSW CPHR are planning releases from the Border Rivers and Gwydir to support base flows in the Barwon between Mungindi and Walgett commencing in Dec, likely continuing for 3-4 weeks. Flows from the Gwydir will be via both the Mehi and the
Carole – details are still being determined in conjunction with WNSW river operators.
On behalf of the Committee of the GVIA I would like to wish all our members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you to you all for your support of the GVIA.
I look forward to working with you in 2026.
Cheers
Lou
The NSW Department have acknowledged that the current clause 57 currently doe While the intent of the rule hasn’t changed since 2004, we
acknowledge that the rule as written hasn’t been implemented by WaterNSW since the 2022 amendment, and further it appears that the current
clause wouldn’t operate as intended. They have amended the Access Licence Dealing Principles Order such that it effectively puts the
restrictions to temporary trade under clause 57 (1) on hold until the end of May 2026. This is intended to provide further time to examine
and address this problem. The intention is to revisit the rule in the plan to find a longer term resolution in 2026.
The amendment order is available here:
https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/pdf/asmade/sl-2025-703
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
There is no allocation increment to general security (GS) licences in the Gwydir Regulated River Water Source this time. The GS account balance is about 619 gigalitres (GL), or an average 121% of entitlement.
The environmental water allowance (EWA) balance is about 88 GL, or an average of 195% of entitlement.
As of 30 November 2025, Copeton Dam received an estimated 9 GL of inflow, with downstream tributaries contributing a further 4 GL.
During November, total essential supply demand was about 3.4 GL, and GS usage was approximately 5 GL. Around 1 GL of EWA delivered during
this period.
MOREE Plains Shire Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to adjust the Moree to Sydney flight schedule.
The proposal is to remove the Saturday service, and put on an evening service on Tuesday. There is no proposal to change the existing time
of the Tuesday morning flights which get to Sydney between 11:30 and 12:00.
The proposed schedule is available
here
We have recently determined that there are some components of the Gwydir WSP that are restricting temporary trade of General Security
entitlements. Specific advice can only be determined via an application to WaterNSW. In general the assessments will entail the following:
The rule 57 (1) of the Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Regulated River Water Source 2016 states that a temporary trade is
prohibited if it increases total allocation in the segments specified in table A of rule 55. Increase in allocation means buying water
into those segments in Table A.
That means, for temporary trade rule 57 (1)
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
The Member for Cootamundra/ Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke and local member Brendan Moylan spent many months putting together
approximately 40 amendments to the Bill to make it fairer for irrigators and water users across NSW.
Together they ran and argued 39 amendments in the Lower House where they were voted down by the Minns Labor Government and the Greens.
Our local representative worked very hard on this and are very disappointed by this result. The Link to the Hansard is below;
Water Management Legislation Amendment (Stronger
Enforcement and Penalties) Bill 2025
Legislative Assembly
Hansard - 12 November 2025 - Proof
Legislative Assembly
Hansard - 12 November 2025 - Proof
Steph Cooke
Legislative Assembly
Hansard - 12 November 2025 - Proof
Legislative Assembly
Hansard - 12 November 2025 - Proof
Please see dropbox
link
which will take you to the videos of the contributions: