Talking Water - Tuesday 19 May 2026
This week's contents
Women In Irrigated Agriculture Conference
- Complimentary tickets
Operations
- End of season trade closure dates and carryover reminder
- Winter Operations - Water delivery subject to water availability from tomorrow
- Talking Water Data
Industry
- Pasture to Plate: On farm biodiversity event
- Latest NSW DCCEEW Water Allocation Statement
Community
- 'Caught in the Current' book launch - Barham
Opportunity to attend Women In Irrigated Ag Conference
Murray Irrigation is keen to hear from customers interested in attending the Irrigation Research Extension Committee’s first ever 'Women In Irrigated Ag Conference', being held from 9.00am to 3.00pm on Wednesday 3 June at the Whitton Malthouse.
We have a number of complimentary tickets available for this empowering one-day women's event. This includes complimentary transport to and from the event.
If you are interested in attending this event with Murray Irrigation, please complete the below Expression of Interest (EOI).
This EOI is open until
5.00pm this Thursday 21 May.
For any questions, please contact Murray Irrigation's Customer Experience Team on 1300 138 265.
Further information on the Women In Irrigated Ag Conference is available below.
Operational Update
End of season trade closure dates and carryover reminder
The 2026 season trade closure dates are as follows:
- Tuesday 16 June, 5.00pm - External transfers to / from Murray Irrigation close.
PLEASE NOTE: External trading date has changed this year to align with Water NSW requirements - WaterNSW New End of year cut-off date
- Tuesday 23 June, 5.00pm - Water Exchange (WEX) closes.
- Thursday 25 June, 5.00pm - Internal transfers to / from Murray Irrigation landholdings close.
- Thursday 25 June, 5.00pm - Customer Portal access closes.
- Wednesday 1 July, 9.00am - Water Exchange (WEX) and Customer Portal re-open.
A reminder also that water entitlement holders can carryover a volume of water up to 50% of Class C water entitlements held in their water allocation account each season.
Any volume exceeding this is forfeited at the end of the season.
For more information on your water allocation account, carryover rules and Barmah Choke Trade, read Murray Irrigation's end of season update below.
Winter Operations - Water delivery subject to availability from tomorrow
From tomorrow (20 May), access to water delivery will depend on the available water in your channel section, and delivery will not be guaranteed.
All water orders will be reviewed each afternoon and customers advised if, and when, delivery is available.
Draining continues in Murray Irrigation's Maintenance Areas in line with the Draining Principles priority order:
- Delivering to requested orders
- Using accredited escapes
- Providing opportunistic drainage water to customers
- Non-accredited escapes.
More information is available in our Season Operating Plan and Operational Updates.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Winter Operations, please contact our Customer Experience team by calling 1300 138 265 or emailing: customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au
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.
Industry News
Pasture to Plate: On farm biodiversity event
The Western Murray Land Improvement Group is hosting a free On Farm Biodiversity event this Thursday (21 May) at Pattison Pastoral, Burraboi.
Join the team for a cuppa and a chat around the campfire to discuss how on farm biodiversity can add value to working farms.
With chats on Farm Dams and Wetlands, Woodland and Pasture Biodiversity, Saltbush, Alternative Fertilisers and Biochar, there is sure to be some interesting discussion.
When: Thursday 21 May
Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
Where: 1960 Rangemore Road, Burraboi
A free barbecue lunch will be provided, including produce from host farm Pattison Pastoral.
Children are welcome, with some simple activities provided.
What to bring:
- Sturdy footwear
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- A camping chair
Contact Clare Trezise to register: 0400 693 018 or clare.trezise@wmlig.org
Latest NSW DCCEEW Water Allocation Statement
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced last Friday (15 May) that there will be no change in allocations to General Security entitlements for the NSW Murray.
The total cumulative allocation to General Security entitlements remains at 22% for the 2025/26 water year.
You can read the full announcement below.
Subscribe to NSW DCCEEW updates by email and download its announcements here.
Community News
'Caught in the Current' book launch - Barham
'Caught in the Current' is a new book that explores the politics behind the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the dire impact it has had on rural communities.
A public book launch will be held at Club Barham on Wednesday May 20 from 7.00pm. All are welcome.
The book is written by Pat Byrne in conjunction with a small group of community representatives spanning three states, including Ken Jury (Goolwa SA), Kevin Cock (Sunraysia Citrus), Jan Beer (Upper Goulburn) and John Lolicato (Barham).
It is dedicated to Barham water advocate Neil Eagle, who sadly passed away before he got a chance to see the book completed.
'Caught in the Current' documents the history of water reform in the Basin. including the impacts of poor policy, and offers up sensible solutions to change the current trajectory.
It also provides a list of resources relating to history, world’s best-practice methods for integrated river and catchment management, and critiques of and debates over the Basin Plan and the Water Act 2007.
Copies will be available for purchase on the night and at local newsagents at Kerang, Cohuna, Barham, Moulamein and Deniliquin.
Alternatively, the book can be found at: www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au
'Caught in the Current' was published with funding from Riverina Sustainable LWMP, Sunraysia Citrus and other community groups.
