Talking Water - Tuesday 20 May 2025

Winter Operations - Water delivery now subject to availability

Access to water delivery now depends on the available water in your channel section, and delivery is not guaranteed. 

The Mulwala Canal will be drained again this year for critical inspections of key regulators to follow up on last year’s urgent repairs.

All water orders are reviewed each afternoon and customers will be advised if, and when, delivery is available. 

Draining continues in the Maintenance Areas in line with the Draining Principles priority order: 

1. Delivering to requested orders
2. Using accredited escapes
3. Providing opportunistic drainage water to customers
4. Non-accredited escapes. 

More information is available in our Season Operating Plan and our Operational Updates. 

If you have questions please contact Customer Experience on 1300 138 265 or email customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au

Carryover and end of season trade

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.

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 your water allocation account, carryover rules and Barmah Choke Trade, read Murray Irrigation's end of season update below. 

Business News

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. 

Please note, a second barbecue will be held in Wakool on Thursday 26 June.

IPART water price review Information Paper 

As advised in our Customer Update last week, the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released an Information Paper in relation to its review of WaterNSW prices for bulk water supply in regional and rural NSW. 

Key points from this paper include:

• The draft decision from IPART is to reject the 213% increases proposed by WaterNSW over 5 years.
• As a result, IPART proposes shorter-term (3-year) determinations for both the WaterNSW Greater Sydney and Rural Valleys (this includes the Murray Valley) price reviews to allow WaterNSW to continue providing its bulk water services while more work is done to assess its proposed levels of expenditure.
• Under the draft decision, prices for WaterNSW Rural Valleys customers would increase by 1.9% plus inflation from 1 July 2025, and then by inflation only on 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027. This includes WaterNSW’s proposed costs for the Dams Safety Levy, crane and electrical safety expenditure. 
• Based on significant inflation in the past 12 months, this will equate to approximately a 5-7% increase in prices this year, compared to the originally proposed tripling over 5 years.

We note that a smaller component of Government charges (WAMC) is due to be released in June 2025. 

Customers can find out more about Murray Irrigation's response to this water price review in our Customer Update below. 

Customers are encouraged to respond to the Information Paper and have until 3 June to do so. 

Community in Focus - Deniliquin Sports Stadium 

The latest in our Community in Focus series showcases the Deniliquin Regional Sports and Entertainment Stadium and its table tennis program, which is experiencing a surge in local popularity.   
 
Find out more about this fast and furious sport which transcends all ages and abilities, and the Aussie champ who is driving its local growth.

Latest NSW DCCEEW water allocation update 

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has released its final Resource Outlook ahead of the 2025/26 irrigation season last week, which notes: "Current assessment is predicting a very low opening allocation for general security water users."

You can read the full statement below. 

In the meantime, you can subscribe to DCCEEW's updates by email and download its announcements here.   

Farming Stronger Workshop 

Farming is more than just hard work; it’s about working smart to maintain peak performance, making sharper decisions, and building a resilient, high-performing farm business and team.

Join the Irrigation Farmers Network for a practical, results-driven workshop designed to give farmers and service providers the science-backed strategies used by top performers to sustain energy, manage stress, and optimise their operations; even in the toughest seasons.

Date: Wednesday 4 June
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Deniliquin Golf Club

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

AgriEmpower Scholarship - Now open 

The AgriEmpower Scholarship Program offers an unparalleled opportunity for young agricultural leaders to elevate their skills, broaden their networks and embrace innovation. 

Open to candidates across the whole agricultural supply chain aged 25-40 years old, the program aims to build impactful networks and drive forward-thinking solutions that enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability in the ag sector. 

A total 20 scholarships of $20,000 each will be awarded for this program, which runs for 18 months.

Applications close 30 June.