Talking Water - Tuesday 10 November 2026

This week's contents

Murray Irrigation AGM

• Online voting closes in one week

Operations

• Automated invoicing reminder
• Talking Water Data

Business

• Murray Irrigation Year in Review 
• Commonwealth Water Act Review - Interim Report released
  

Industry

• Jan Cathcart Memorial Scholarship
• Menindee Lakes Review - Consultation timeframes
• Humane Euthanasia Livestock Workshop 

Online voting is open for one more week, ahead of Murray Irrigation's 20206 Annual General Meeting (AGM) next Thursday 19 November 2026. 

Shareholders are being asked to vote on three resolutions, which are unanimously supported by the Murray Irrigation Board. 

Two relate to the ratification of Board appointed Independent Directors, Sam Tainsh and Fiona Jolly, for four-year terms respectively.

It is important to note that the appointment of two Independent Directors comes at no extra cost to shareholders. The Director remuneration cap will remain unchanged. 

In the below video Member Director, Leanne Small, talks about the skills and expertise Fiona and Sam will bring to the Board, and why shareholders are being asked to support their appointments. 

Shareholder participation in the AGM is important to ensure your voice is heard.

Voting on the appointment of the two Independent Directors is particularly important in supporting Board continuity, stability and strong governance, ensuring the Board holds the experience and leadership needed to guide the business into the future.

There is more information about the two Independent Director candidates below: 

Key voting dates 

Pre-AGM voting 
Online voting is open for one more week, closing at 10:00am next Tuesday 17 November 2026. Click on the button below to submit your vote (it takes less than a minute!). 

Shareholders who may not have internet access are more than welcome to drop-in to Murray Irrigation's Customer Service Centres at either Deniliquin or Finley between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, to cast their vote. Please ensure you bring your voting details with you as the Company does not have access to your personal voting information.

Financial eligibility 
To be eligible to vote, a shareholder must have paid all fees presently due and payable to the Company by the shareholder by 10.00am next Monday 16 November 2026. Shareholders who have a formal payment arrangement in place and are meeting the terms of their arrangement as at 10.00am next Monday 16 November 2026 are also eligible to vote.
 
Proxy Nominations deadline 
Completed Voting/Proxy Forms must be returned to the Company by 10.00am next Tuesday 17 November 2026. 

Voting at the AGM
Shareholders who are attending the AGM, either in person or online, will be able to vote directly during the meeting: 

Date: Thursday 19 November 2026
Place: Deniliquin RSL Club or online at: https://meetings.openbriefing.com/MILUAGM26 
Time: 10.00am (NSW time). Registrations will commence at 9.30am. 

More information 

All relevant AGM information, including the Notice of Meeting, Murray Irrigation's 2026 Annual Report and instructions on how to attend and vote, can be found on our Company webpage below. 

If shareholders have any questions, please contact the Company Secretary on:
 
T. 1300 138 265
E. companysecretary@murrayirrigation.com.au 

Operational Update

Reminder - Automated invoicing 

As part of Murray Irrigation’s ICT Transformation project, Project Streamline, customers now receive automated invoices, statements and notifications from our new finance system Workday.
 
These notifications are sent from: murrayirrigation@myworkday.com

If you are not receiving emails from our new finance system, please check your junk/spam folder.

If you are concerned that an email, invoice or statement you have received from Murray Irrigation may not be legitimate, please contact the Customer Experience team on 1300 138 265 or customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au

With Murray Irrigation's Annual General Meeting just around the corner, it is a great opportunity to reflect on what has been a significant year of progress for the Company.

Click on the button below to explore Murray Irrigation's 2025/26 highlights.

Commonwealth Water Act Review - Interim Report released 

The Commonwealth Water Act is currently the focus of an independent review.

Final advice on the review is due with the Federal Water Minister, Murray Watt, before the end of February 2027. Minister Watt will consider the advice he receives, and decide whether any changes to the Act should occur.

Ahead of this process, draft findings and recommendations arising from the review have been released for public comment. They are presented in the form of an Interim Report, which can be accessed here.

A webinar will also be held this Friday 13 November at 1.00pm, where an overview of the Interim Report will be provided. Attendance is free, and you can register here. There is an opportunity to provide questions in advance of the webinar, via this same link.

Submissions on the Interim Report will be accepted through to 11.59pm (AEDT) on Thursday 17 December. 

Murray Irrigation will provide a submission into this process, and will also contribute to submissions being made by the Murray Regional Strategy Group and National Irrigators' Council. 

Company staff are currently analysing the Interim Report in detail to fully understand any potential implications for Murray Irrigation, shareholders and customers, and communities within our footprint. In close consultation with Company Directors, this analysis will be used to develop key strategic positions we can take forward.

Industry News

Calling all women connected to Australia’s rice industry.

If you’re undertaking tertiary study, or planning to in 2027, applications are now open for SunRice Group’s 2027 Jan Cathcart Memorial Scholarship, valued at up to $30,000.

Applications close Monday 7 December 2026.

Menindee Lakes Review - Update on consultation timeframes 

Basin Governments have asked the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to undertake a review of existing water management and operational arrangements at Menindee Lakes. 

The MDBA has been asked to develop options that governments can consider, and which are expected to change the way the Lakes are currently operated and managed. All options under consideration will be shared for public feedback prior to any detailed decision-making on behalf of governments.

The MDBA advised stakeholders last week that public consultation on potential Menindee options will take place in early 2027. This is a sensible approach which will give the public sufficient time to consider the options put forward in detail. It also allows for future arrangements at Menindee to be assessed against the MDBA's final advice on the Basin Plan Review (expected on Wednesday 9 December 2026).

Once relevant details are finalised, the MDBA will share more specific information about timing and opportunities for public engagement. 

Humane Euthanasia Livestock Workshop - Finley 

Knowing when and how to perform euthanasia is never an easy part of dairy farming, but it's an important skill that every farmer should feel confident in.

During this workshop, local veterinarian Dr Claire Flannagan will guide participants through current best-practice euthanasia methods and animal welfare standards. 

When: Tuesday 17 November 
Where: Finley RSC
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm 

This Dairy Australia workshop is ideal for farm owners, managers and employees looking to build confidence and ensure they're following current industry best practice.