Shareholder Update - Murray Irrigation's Water Solutions - Retaining water in the footprint

22 July 2025

During its round of shareholder meetings this month, Murray Irrigation has unveiled details of a new initiative to retain productive water in its footprint.

The initiative, called Water Solutions, will acquire and hold permanent Water Entitlements, then offer temporary water allocations for purchase by customers within the Murray Irrigation footprint.

Company CEO, Ron McCalman, said the primary purpose of Water Solutions is to retain productive water in the local region, as well as support long-term growth of the business and generate additional earnings for the company’s investment fund to maintain infrastructure.

“The idea of exploring new water market-based initiatives to retain irrigation water in the footprint was heavily canvassed during our shareholders meetings in September 2024,” Mr McCalman said.

“Shareholders were supportive of the Water Solutions concept on the condition that the company undertake the required due diligence and launch the program as a pilot.

“Accordingly, after conducting extensive due diligence, we are pleased to have this month launched the Water Solutions pilot that will be reviewed by the Board in 2026.”

Water Solutions will be funded by an Inventory Finance Facility from a leading bank.

Mr McCalman said the work has been put in to ensure Water Solutions follows clear financial and operational boundaries, that align with market conditions and customer needs.

“Water Solutions will operate under a Risk Management Policy, ensuring robust governance of volume and price risks,” he said.

“It will be managed in house by Murray Irrigation’s Customer Experience team.

“A new Water Risk Committee has been developed comprising the company’s two independent directors, the CEO and an independent expert to ensure the product continues to operate within the risk framework developed.

“Water Solutions is committed to stability, offering a competitive market for buyers and sellers without engaging in paper trading.

“This is an exciting step for the company that expands on our existing water sales capabilities, ensuring productive water remains in the region.”

For further information on Water Solutions, Murray Irrigation is hosting a further two shareholder meetings this week, one at the Royal Hotel in Berrigan at 9.30am on Wednesday 23 of July, and one online at 7am on Thursday 24 July. Further information on these meetings, including how to RSVP can be found on the website here murrayirrigation.com.au/shareholder-meetings-2025.

For shareholders who are interested in selling their water, contact the Customer Experience team on 1300 138 265.