Talking Water - Tuesday 13 October 2026

This week's contents

Operations

• Talking Water Data

Business

• Public water auction now closed
• Women in Water Luncheon - this Thursday
• Reminder - Outlet usage survey
• Meeting with Minister Watt
  

Industry

• Wakool and Berriquin LHA AGMs
• Women in Irrigated Ag - Celebrating Rural Women's Day
• Cattle Connect 2026
• Murray Valley Groundwater Irrigators Association membership 



Operational Update

Business News

Public water auction now closed

As previously communicated, Murray Irrigation has partnered with Ruralco Water to deliver a public auction of the remaining Sustainability Product water exclusively to eligible Murray Irrigation customers.
 
We wish to advise that this auction is now complete, having closed at 4.30pm last Friday 9 October. 

Thank you to all customers who participated in this process. 

The full 33,470ML of water that was available for this public auction has now been sold.

For any questions, please contact Murray Irrigation's Customer Experience team on 1300 138 265 or customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au

Women in Water Luncheon this Thursday

There is still time to grab your tickets for the Women in Water Luncheon, which is happening this Thursday (15 October) at The Bend Restaurant, Tocumwal. 

Facilitated by Murray Irrigation and Southern Growers, this event is designed to bring together women across irrigated agriculture to connect, learn and look to the future. 

Running between 10.00am and 2.00pm, the morning will feature three information sessions followed by lunch and networking opportunities. 

Tickets cost $22.50 per person, which includes a two course lunch and a drink. All ticket proceeds, less the $2.50 ticket administration fee, will be donated to local Can Assist charities, helping support the important work they undertake in communities across the region. 

Reminder - Outlet usage survey

As previously announced, Murray Irrigation is conducting a customer survey to understand the future utilisation of underused irrigation and stock and domestic outlets in the footprint.

We encourage customers, particularly those with underutilised irrigation and stock and domestic outlets on their landholding(s), to participate.
 
The survey runs until Friday 30 October 2026. 

The information gathered through this survey will help the Company:

• Understand customer interest in a potential outlet decommissioning program.
• Identify why outlets that are currently not in use are being retained.
• Explore ways the Company can assist customers to optimise their irrigation operation and further reduce costs where possible.
• Inform future planning and potential support option recommendations to the Board.
• Support future channel reconfiguration or asset decommission projects. 

This survey is an information-gathering exercise only. Completing the survey does not commit a customer, or Murray Irrigation, to any future decommissioning, upgrade or funding program.

Further information, including frequently asked questions, can be found on the Company's website here. 

Meeting with Minister Watt 

Murray Irrigation welcomed the invitation to meet with Federal Water and Environment Minister Murray Watt during his visit to Leeton last week.

 
Our Chief Financial Officer, Caroline Smith, joined irrigation industry, business and local government stakeholders from around the region to highlight to the Minister the impact of water policy decisions, in particular water buybacks, on Murray-Darling Basin farmers and communities, and to promote alternative solutions for effectively supporting productive agriculture and the broader community. 
 
We appreciated the opportunity to be a part of this collective voice focused on securing better outcomes for the region. 

The meeting also provided Murray Irrigation the chance to reinforce to the Minister the contribution of our Restoring Murray Waterways environmental watering project to Murray-Darling Basin Plan outcomes, and its potential as a positive alternative to water buybacks in addressing the remaining shortfall under the Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism.

Industry News

Wakool and Berriquin LHA AGMs

Wakool LHA and Berriquin LHA are hosting their Annual General Meetings as follows:.

Wakool LHA AGM 
Date: Today (Tuesday 13 October 2026)
Time: 7.00pm
Where: Wakool Services Club

Please contact Kate Redfearn on wakoollandholders@gmail.com or 0417 112 162 to RSVP or for further information. 

Berriquin LHA AGM
Date: Monday 19 October 2026
Time: 7.00pm
Where: Finley RSC

Please contact Renee Brooker on berriquinirrigators@gmail.com  or 0427 591 404  to RSVP or for further information. 

Women in Irrigated Ag - Celebrating Rural Women's Day 

In celebration of Rural Women's Day, the Irrigation Research & Extension Committee (IREC) is hosting two Women in Irrigated Ag workshops focused on strengthening women’s communication skills. 

Hear from an inspiring panel of women including Steph Chappell (Southern Growers), Di Fear (Central West Farming Systems) and Jo Eady from RuralScope.

Come along for honest conversations, practical tools, connection and a few laughs along the way:

• Tuesday 20 October | 9.30am – 2.30pm | Griffith
• Wednesday 21 October | 9.30am – 2.30pm | Coleambally

Both these events are free. 

Cattle Connect 2026 

The national grassfed cattle industry's flagship event, Cattle Connect 2026, will be held on 22–23 October at Charles Sturt University's Wagga Wagga campus. 

This two-day event will bring producers, industry leaders, researchers, government and commercial partners together to discuss the people, products and pressures shaping the future of Australian beef. 

Speakers will include international livestock genetics expert PJ Budler, who will challenge producers to rethink what makes a truly productive and profitable animal; Rob Clayton, Chief Executive of Gallagher Animal Management Global, who will explore farmer demand for connected, data-driven solutions that make life easier and improve their productivity, labour efficiency and animal performance; and Dan Kittredge, a nutrient-density researcher, exploring the emerging science behind the nutritional value of beef. 

Murray Valley Groundwater Irrigators Association membership 

The Murray Valley Groundwater Irrigators Association is looking to update all member contact details.

Members are also encouraged to attend an interview, or submit a brief submission, on the impacts of changes to groundwater extraction and transfer restrictions.

Please provide your current contact details and arrange an interview via Greg Sandford: greg@kyagre.com