Chair Update - 21 February 2024

As mentioned in Talking Water on Tuesday, Murray Irrigation’s CEO Ron McCalman and I attended several meetings with ministerial representatives, government agencies and industry groups to discuss the current national water reforms last week.

It was a busy and successful three days in Canberra, strengthening the relationship with our fellow irrigation infrastructure operators (IIOs) of the southern connected basin; Murrumbidgee Irrigation and Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative and our united position on the new water legislation passed before Christmas; the Federal Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Act 2023.

On Thursday, we attended the National Irrigators' Council Annual General Meeting, where Federal Water Minister The Hon. Tanya Plibersek provided an update on the Federal Government's water reforms and its draft strategy for delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. This draft framework is currently open for public comment until March 4.

I asked Minister Plibersek the following question during the meeting.

“Minister you are well aware of the challenges facing our irrigation areas and remaining irrigators from previous water recovery programs. You support structural adjustment. Will you work with us to implement a program to protect the viability of our networks for remaining irrigators in group schemes so they can keep producing food for all Australians?”

The Minister confirmed her understanding of the issues impacting our region and acknowledged the relationships Murray Irrigation, Murrumbidgee Irrigation and Coleambally Irrigation have built with her department over the years and the assistance we provide in addressing these issues to secure the future of irrigated agriculture.

While there is still a degree of uncertainty around how the Act will be implemented, it is encouraging we are able to partake in these open discussions and voice the concerns of our respective areas.

Prior to the National Irrigators Council General Meeting, the three IIOs met directly with the Office of the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). These discussions were primarily focused on the design of the Restoring Our Rivers Program, voluntary water buybacks and the Sustainable Rivers Program outlined in the draft framework released by Minister Plibersek at the end of January.

The three IIOs collectively emphasised the importance of ongoing engagement with not only the water delivery companies, but the communities we support to ensure funding pathways and structural adjustment packages are clear and targeted for maximum benefit to irrigation communities.

It is no secret our community is facing an uncertain period in relation to water reform, and water buybacks are still a likely threat to the area. However, I’d like to reassure our shareholders that the relationships Murray Irrigation has built with all levels of government, as well as showing unity as a southern irrigation group with our fellow IIOs, is positive. It is giving Murray Irrigation a seat at the table, and a platform to participate in policy discussions and advise in the best interest of our shareholders.

Ron and I also took the opportunity to meet with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) and the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to discuss ongoing water delivery agreements.

I look forward to providing further updates to shareholders on the progress made in this space in the coming months.