Talking Water - Tuesday 11 August 2026
This week's contents
Operations
- 2026-27 Season Operations
- Guaranteed water delivery dates
- Season Operating Plan
- Talking Water Data
Business
- Sustainability Product Expressions of Interest
- Drone Demonstration & Info Session
- Wakool Director Lunch postponed
Industry
- Water engagement roundup webinar - Water-dependent fauna
- IREC Irrigation Research Update
Community
- 'Just a Farmer' free community film screening - Tocumwal
Operational Update
2026-27 Season Operations
Murray Irrigation released an Operational Update last Friday regarding our 2026-27 Season Operations.
This update provides information on the transition out of Winter Operations into Regular Operation for the coming season.
You can read this Operational Update in full below.
Guaranteed water delivery dates
The guaranteed delivery dates for both Maintenance and Non-Maintenance areas are listed below.
2026 Maintenance Areas:
2026 Non-Maintenance Areas:
Season Operating Plan
Murray Irrigation's 2026-27 Season Operating Plan is now available on our website
(and also below). This plan explains the Modes of Operation and how the water delivery year operates.
Regular Operations will commence in Mode 2 – Dry. This mode enables water savings and efficient operation of the system whilst providing moderate flexibility to customers with up to four days' order notification required.
To understand the service levels provided to customers, the Season Operating Plan should be read in conjunction with Murray Irrigation's Customer Service Charter (below).
Talking Water live data
Live data for Murray Irrigation water delivery, channel flow, Water Exchange temporary trade and DCCEEW water allocations is available on our Talking Water
Data webpage below.
To see the latest data for Murray system storages and rivers, including dam heights, visit the Murray Darling Basin Authority's River data page.
Additional resources
MDBA weekly report
NSW Water allocation statements
Rainfall and evaporation
Barmah Narrows trade balance
The information and data provided in Talking Water is for general reference purposes only. We take best endeavours to ensure accuracy.
Business News
Sustainability Product Expressions of Interest
As announced last week, Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Murray Irrigation’s Sustainability Product are now open.
80GL of water is available at $314 per megalitre under this EOI - which closes at 5.00pm this Thursday 13 August 2026.
Read the Sustainability Product announcement below for full details.
Note: Due to new provisions of the Water Act 2007 (Cth) implemented from 1 July 2026, Murray Irrigation is no longer able to offer this product to customers at a discounted rate. Visit the ACCC's website here for more information.
This Customer Offer has been published on Murray Irrigation's website (as per below), and at the BOM’s disclosure portal, in accordance with new disclosure provisions that commenced under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) on 1 July 2026.
Murray Irrigation Drone Demonstration & Info Session
Drones are transforming the way producers monitor, manage, and make informed decisions across their farming enterprises.
Join Murray Irrigation for a Drone Demonstration and Information Session, presented by Tex Flack from Rotex Australia and Greg Sefton from Sefton Agronomics:
When: Friday 21 August
Where: Kerr's Farm, Finley
Time: 9.30am – 11.00am (morning tea included)
This demonstration will look at how drones can be used in agriculture, including the application of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, as well as mapping and monitoring crops.
Sefton Agronomics will discuss the benefits and limitations of drone technology and how it can be integrated into individual farming operations.
By improving accuracy and efficiency, drones can help reduce the time and labour required for everyday tasks while supporting better on-farm decision-making.
If you have any questions about the Drone Demonstration, please contact the Customer Insights Team on 1300 138 265 or email
customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au.
Wakool Director Lunch postponed
Murray Irrigation would like to advise that the Director Lunch scheduled to take place at Wakool on 27 August with shareholders has been postponed.
We will keep shareholders updated on the new date for this event as soon as the details have been finalised.
Industry News
Water engagement roundup webinar - Water-dependent fauna
How do we know environmental flows are delivering real benefits for our rivers and wetlands?
Join this Water Engagement Roundup webinar to explore the latest research on NSW's water-dependent fauna, including fish, platypus, stream-breeding frogs, freshwater turtles, freshwater crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates.
When: Wednesday 19 August
Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm
IREC Irrigation Research Update
Keynote speaker Georgiena Ryan will present on Family Farming Succession and Tax Implications at this IREC event.
When: Tuesday 25 August
Time: 8.30am – 2.30pm
Where: Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Barren Box Room
Other presentations will include:
Irrigated Canola NVT Results (Kathi Hetei, NSW DPI)
Irrigated Wheat NVT Results (Pete Matthews, NSW DPI)
Pre-emergent Trial in Wheat (Max Findlay, Sefton Agronomics/Southern Growers)
Green Urea Trials in Soft Wheat (Dr. Alice Melland, UNISQ/CSI).
Annual General Meeting to follow. Morning tea and lunch is included.
Community News
'Just a Farmer' free community film screening - Tocumwal
The Southern Riverina Wellness Collaborative is bringing the award winning Australian film Just A Farmer to Tocumwal, along with its creator, Leila McDougall, for a special screening and Q&A.
This event is free for everyone in the community to attend, offering a chance to connect, reflect, and spark life-saving conversations about resilience and hope.
