Talking Water - Tuesday 13 May 2025

Winter Operations reminder - Time to fill your dams

Access to replenish stock and domestic water supplies during the Winter Operations period (from 15 May until mid-August) is likely to be limited. 
 
Please fill dams and stock troughs now to ensure you have adequate water supplies through until mid-August. 
 
Water may not be available in our channels for stock and domestic over winter because: 
 
1.You are in a scheduled Maintenance Area, which will be drained in accordance with the principles in the Season Operating Plan, or 
2. Levels in your channel section may not be high enough to allow water delivery in Non-Maintenance Areas. 

You can view the maintenance area for your outlets via the 'My Outlets' tab on your Customer Portal.
 
Please read our recent Updates on Winter Operations arrangements for more information on Guaranteed dates and Maintenance Areas. 
 
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Winter Operations period, please contact Customer Experience on 1300 138 265 or customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au

What's happening this Winter Works? 

Murray Irrigation's 2025 Winter Works program is about to get underway, with draining of the requisite sections of the network set to begin this Thursday 15 May. 
 
Staff and contractors will start ramping up their activity towards the end of May and, weather permitting, should be complete by the end of August. 

Watch our video to find out more about this year's Winter Works, or read our media release here.

2025 Season trade closure dates 

• Monday 23 June, 5.00pm - Water Exchange (WEX) closes. 
• Tuesday 24 June, 5.00pm - External transfers to/from Murray Irrigation close. 
• Wednesday 25 June, 5.00pm - Internal transfers to/from Murray Irrigation landholdings close. 
• Wednesday 25 June, 5.00pm - Customer Portal access closes. 
• Tuesday 1 July, 7.00am - Water Exchange (WEX) and Customer Portal re-open.



For more information on carryover rules and water allocation accounts, read Murray Irrigation's End of Season update below. 

Business News

Feasibility Study Survey now closed

Murray Irrigation received a pleasing response to our recent Feasibility Study Survey, and would like to express our thanks to all those who took time out to respond.
 
This survey is now closed.
 
The results of this survey will form part of the final Feasibility Study that Murray Irrigation is submitting to the NSW Government before the end of May.
 
Murray Irrigation will be discussing the survey feedback, together with broader elements of the Feasibility Study, during the next round of shareholder meetings being held throughout July.
 
The company will be sharing details of these upcoming shareholder sessions, including dates, times and locations, in June. 

Shareholder Barbecue - Finley 

We’re pleased to invite shareholders to an informal barbecue hosted by Murray Irrigation's Company Directors.
 

Come down, grab a bite to eat, and get to know your directors in a relaxed setting.

This is a great opportunity to chat about the company, hear more about current initiatives, and share your thoughts in a casual setting. 
 
Date: 29 May 2025
Time: 1.00pm
Location: Finley Customer Service Centre & Depot - Murray Hut Drive, Finley 
 
We’d love to see you there. 
 
For catering purposes, please register your interest in this event below. 

How are water allocations determined? 

With the new water year kicking off on July 1, many farmers are already looking ahead and thinking about what the irrigation season might bring.

While Murray Irrigation doesn’t determine water allocations, we know how important it is for you to have access to the right information when planning your operations.

That’s why we aim to share clear and timely updates to help you make informed decisions.

Allocations are set by state water authorities based on a thorough assessment of available resources. Here's a quick overview of what they consider:



• Storage and Carryover: How much water is currently in the storages, and how much has been carried over from last season - including any undelivered interstate trades.
• Forecast Inflows: How much water is likely to flow into the storages naturally over the coming months. These forecasts are conservative, using the lowest inflow records on file to avoid overcommitting water.
• Running the River: A certain amount of water is needed just to keep the river system operating - this covers end-of-system flows, transmission losses, and evaporation.
• Other Commitments: Water is also set aside for reserves and environmental entitlements, in line with legal and ecological responsibilities.

For the most accurate and up-to-date allocation information, we encourage you to subscribe to updates from the Water Group at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 

RGA Landcare Stock Water Management - Upcoming events 

Stock Water Planning Workshops
 
This is your last opportunity to join RGA Landcare and Adrian Smith from AKS Advisory to answer your questions and be supported to develop your own Stock Water Management Plan.
 
We are running two workshops that will take you through the farm water audit process including:

• Quantifying stock and farm water requirements
• Estimating tank and dam capacity
• Calculating farm water losses
• Determining how long water will last if the tap turns off 
• How water quality impacts production.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
 
Monday 26 May | 10.30am – 2.30pm | Bunnaloo Hall | Register here
 
Friday 30 May | 10.30am – 2.30pm | Wanganella Hall | Register here
 
Livestock Water Field Days – SAVE THE DATE
 
Come and see two demonstration sites that showcase practical ways to secure and improve water delivery on your farm. 
 
Both sites demonstrate a well designed reticulation system with solar pumps, tanks, troughs and dams.

There will be a farm tour of the sites with the landholders and expert advisors on hand to answer all your questions and to discuss your particular situation. 

More information to come.
 
Tuesday 3 June | 9.00am for 9.30am start – 12.30/1.00pm | Richard Bull’s, Lindifferon
 
Thursday 5 June | 12.00pm for a 12.30pm start – 3.30/4.00pm | Rob Massina’s, Logie Brae

Survey seeks insights from sheep producers

The latest Sheep Producer Intentions Survey (SPIS) is now open for feedback from sheep and wool producers.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) are conducting the survey throughout May, asking producers for their sentiment towards the sheep and wool sectors, current flock demographics and future intentions. 

The SPIS is held twice a year and is key source of information which helps the industry to understand the current, changing and future dynamics of the national sheep flock.
 
The May survey data helps analysts improve analysis and forecasts, and is used as a tool when developing MLA programs, ensuring that adoption and communication efforts are matching industry sentiment. 

Community News

Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative events

The Southern Riverina Wellbeing Collaborative (SRWC) is dedicated to promoting mental health and overall wellbeing in our community.

The group's website hosts a range of activities and resources designed to support the community to deal with life's challenges. 

Upcoming events include:

Standard Mental Health First Aid Training

Thursday 24 & Friday 25 July | 9.00am - 4.00pm | Finley TAFE | Register here 

Suicide prevention skills training 

Tuesday 29 July | 10.00am - 2.00pm | Finley Returned Soldiers Club | Register here

Visit the SRWC website for more resources and activities.