Talking Water - Tuesday 16 June 2026
This week's contents
New Company fee structure
Operations
- Fees and Prices update
- Talking Water Data
Business
- Shareholder lunch next Thursday
- Coleambally Irrigation visit
- Sponsorship applications
Industry
- New MRSG quarterly newsletter
- Water industry leadership opportunities
New Company fee structure
As outlined in yesterday's Customer Update (15 June), there has been increased discussion regarding Murray Irrigation's new fee structure, which is being implemented from 1 July 2026.
In addition to a number of customer enquiries we have received, there have been Letters to the Editor published in the local media requesting a temporary pause to this action. This includes a letter by the RiceGrowers' Association of Australia (RGA) that appears in today's
Deniliquin Pastoral Times.
The Board is confident in its decision to implement the change from July 2026. If the forecasted low-allocation year ahead comes to pass, a delay in the implementation of the new fees and prices structure would add almost $11 million onto customer bills this coming season. Information detailing this is available via the Murray Irrigation fee structure review website here.
Reference to an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
We also note that some have raised the topic of an EGM, in response to the fees and prices restructure. This includes reference in today’s RGA Letter to the Editor.
An EGM would not be in the best interest of the Company, our shareholders, customers or the wider community.
The reputational harm and business disruption associated with an action of this sort are significant. The financial cost of running an EGM is also considerable, as demonstrated by the recent April 2024 EGM which totalled more than $350,000 (Source:
Murray Irrigation 2024 Annual Report).
The changes being made by Murray Irrigation to the fees and prices structure have come about in response to customer feedback. They will improve equity and fairness amongst customers with similar water use profiles, and ensure the long-term sustainability of this irrigation district.
Murray Irrigation’s number one priority is to deliver for our shareholders, customers and the community. Threats of an EGM are unconstructive, divisive and counterproductive to these objectives.
Further opportunities to engage
We thank customers and industry groups for engaging with us and sharing your feedback and concerns around this new structure. We have ensured every enquiry and question to date has been answered either directly, or through the website.
But we acknowledge a change of this scale can be unsettling, and with the implementation of the new fee structure fast approaching, the Company is offering customers opportunities to have any confusion and concerns clarified. This includes an online Q&A session, a shareholder lunch at Finley next week, and one-on-one discussions with a member of our team.
Murray Irrigation urges customers to reach out to the Company directly, if there are any concerns or issues you would like clarified around the new fees and prices structure.
The options for this engagement are detailed in the Customer update below.
Operational Update
Fees and Prices update
As communicated in last week's Customer Update (11June 2026), from 1 July 2026 Murray Irrigation’s fixed and variable fees and prices will change in accordance with the new Fee Structure announced by the Board of Directors on 1 May 2026.
You can read the full Customer Update here.
More information on Murray Irrigation's fees and prices is available on our website below.
If you require any further assistance, please contact our Customer Experience team on 1300 138 265.
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 Choke 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
Shareholder lunch next Thursday
Thank you to those who have RSVP'd to next week's shareholder lunch at Finley.
Details for this event, which is being hosted by Murray Irrigation's Company Directors, are as follows:
Date: Thursday 25 June 2026
Time: 1.00pm
Location: Murray Irrigation - Customer Service Centre & Depot, Murray Hut Drive, Finley
For catering purposes, please register your interest below.
A similar lunch will be held at Wakool on Thursday 27 August.
Coleambally Irrigation information sharing visit
Murray Irrigation is currently working with PV Engineering Services and Ventia on potential options for upgrading the Mulwala and Wakool offtake meter sites to improve reliability and accuracy of system inflows.
These two offtake meter sites measure the flow rates of water entering the system from their respective river systems. They also capture water level sensing and volume data.
As part of the research, a contingent from Murray Irrigation, PV Engineering Services and Ventia visited Coleambally Irrigation to inspect its recently upgraded offtake meter site located at the Murrumbidgee River.
Being similar to Murray Irrigation's Mulwala and Wakool offtake sites, the team was keen to see the new technology in action and hear more from Coleambally Irrigation about the excellent results it is achieving.
We are continuing to explore all options, with visits to other Murray Irrigation sites to be undertaken this month. This will assist the Company to see where the technology may be useful, ahead of developing a plan of action.
Sponsorship program reminder
Applications for Murray Irrigation's 2026 sponsorship program close on Monday 29 June.
Funding is available this year across the following two categories:
- Community Sponsorship - for community-driven projects that promote safety, participation and wellbeing.
- Education Sponsorship - for primary school and secondary school activities that encourage student learning, development and wellbeing.
If you know of a local school or community group seeking to get a project off the ground, please point them in our direction.
All information, including applications forms, can be found on Murray Irrigation's sponsorship page below.
Murray Irrigation’s annual sponsorship activities are made possible through the support of our customers.
Industry News
New MRSG quarterly newsletter
The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG) has launched a quarterly newsletter to keep Basin communities updated on its ongoing advocacy activities in the water space.
The inaugural edition (May 2026) contains information on the Group's response to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review, the Menindee Review and IPART's pricing review of WaterNSW's regional and rural bulk water services, and includes links to related submissions and correspondence.
MRSG is inviting members of the community to join the mailing list by emailing: murrayrsg@gmail.com
Water industry leadership opportunities
The water industry has the following leadership opportunities available for those keen to step up, learn and lead:
- Basin Communities Committee - the MDBA is seeking expression of interest applications for Basin Community Committee Members that provide input to the MDBA. Read more.
- MDBA / Australian Rural Leadership Foundation bespoke Basin Leaders Program (three cohorts available) - this leadership experience is designed for people who care deeply about the future of the Basin and the communities, industries and water dependent ecosystems it supports. Read more.
- Peter Cullen Trust - the Trust has launched a new Executive Leadership Program to support the sector's growing community of senior leaders. Read more.
