Talking Water - Tuesday 28 October 2025
This week's contents
Operations
- Talking Water data
Business
- October Board Meeting
- Water Risk Committee appointment
- IPART Review - WaterNSW Regional & Rural Bulk Water Charges
- Learn to Swim Program launch
- Community in Focus feature
Industry
- Grazing native grasslands field day - Conargo
- 2025 Bain Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit webinar
- Jan Cathcart Scholarships - applications now open
Community
- Barham community cook off fundraiser
Operational Update
Talking Water data 28/10/2025
All the detailed data for Murray Irrigation delivery, channel flow, Water Exchange temporary trade and DCCEEW water allocations is available on our company web page 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
October Board meeting
Murray Irrigation held its latest Board Meeting last Wednesday 22 October 2025.
It was a full agenda, with a focus on the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and strategic planning.
You can find more information in the below Chair Update.
Water Risk Committee appointment
Murray Irrigation is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Tainsh to the company's recently formed Water Risk Committee.
Mr Tainsh joins the committee, which has been established to oversee the operation of the company's Water Solutions pilot, as an independent expert.
He brings to the role more than two decades of executive experience in the Australian grains and oilseeds sector, together with a deep understanding of commodity risk management and governance.
More information is available in the below Company Announcement.
IPART Review - WaterNSW Regional & Rural Bulk Water Charges
IPART has commenced its review of WaterNSW charges for regional and rural bulk water services. The new charges will commence on 1 July 2026.
In this stage of IPART’s consultation, the Tribunal has issued a Discussion Paper, and is seeking feedback on 17 different questions. You can access the Discussion Paper here. The questions are listed on pages 6 and 7.
IPART is also hosting two workshops during November, focussed on key topics covered in the Discussion Paper. You can register to attend these workshops below.
Submissions on the Discussion Paper close on Thursday 20 November. Murray Irrigation will provide a submission to IPART, and will continue to update you as we progress the drafting of this submission.
IPART is scheduled to release its Draft Decision on future WaterNSW charges in March 2026.
Murray Irrigation launches 2025 - 26 Learn to Swim Program
Swimming season is upon us once more, and Murray Irrigation is pleased to again be offering Learn to Swim funding to schools and swimming clubs across the footprint.
Under this long running program, the company contributes $10 towards every child who completes an accredited learn to swim activity.
More than 1300 children participated in last year's program. With the latest national drowning figures revealing inland waterways accounted for 122 drowning deaths in the past year, Murray Irrigation hopes to see more students getting involved than ever in learn to swim activities this season.
Read more about the program in our media release below.
Murray Irrigation's Learn to Swim Program is made possible each year through the support of our customers.
Community in Focus - Barooga Aquatic Recreation Centre
The latest in our Community in Focus series features the Barooga Aquatic Recreation Centre's (BARC) annual Bush Nippers program.
Having successfully run for three years, MIL is delighted to be funding the organisation's 2026 program as part of our annual sponsorship activities, made possible through the support of our customers.
Bush Nippers is focused on teaching children how to be prepared while swimming in inland waterways such as rivers, lakes and dams.
BARC Assistant Manager, Business Development and Wellbeing, Kristal Bourke talks about the water safety program and its invaluable benefits for children and families growing up by the banks of the Murray River.
Click on the button below to read the full article.
Industry News
Grazing native grasslands field day - Conargo
Join Murray Local Land Services (LLS) for this practical field day on managing native grasslands for productivity and plains-wanderer conservation.Hear from expert speakers on:
- Native Grasslands of the Riverine Plains: Ian Davidson (Native vegetation & land management consultant)
- Strategic Grazing of Grasslands: Rebecca Stacey (Team Leader, Agriculture, Murray LLS)
- Grassland Habitat of the Plains-wanderer: David Parker (Senior Threatened Species Officer, NSW DCCEEW)
- Managing Pests & Weeds: John Nolan (Team Leader, Invasive Species, Murray LLS)
- Paddocks for Plains-wanderer Project: Angus McKinnon (Project Officer, Murray LLS)
When: 13 November
Time: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Where: Conargo - Bali Hai and Forest Creek Travelling Stock Reserves
Cost: Free
Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit webinar
The MDBA's 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit (SRA) webinar, hosted in August 2025, is now available for viewing.
MDBA General Manager for Basin Plan Implementation, Megan Winter, and General Manager for Basin Science and Knowledge, Dr Matthew Coleman, unpack the findings of of these two milestone reports including:
- What parts of the Basin Plan have and haven’t worked
- What we could do differently
- What the SRA tells us about the current condition of the social, economic, environmental and First Nations values across the Basin.
2026 Jan Cathcart Scholarship for women in rice
The SunRice Group is calling for applications for the 2026 Jan Cathcart Scholarship.
This Scholarship is open to women involved in the Australian rice industry who are undertaking or considering tertiary studies next year.
Valued at up to $30,000, past recipients have benefited and are continuing to benefit, from educational and professional opportunities, within the industry after their university graduation. The Scholarship, now in its 12th year, is an excellent way for existing and potential students to receive financial support and to assist with the development of their career.
Head on over to the SunRice website below to apply.
Applications close on Monday 17 November 2025.
Community News
Barham community cook off fundraiser
Congratulations to the Barham Local Health Medical Trust for raising approximately $14k through its Community Cooking Challenge at the Barham Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Ten teams made up of three chefs apiece participated in the hilarious cookoff, putting their culinary skills to use with a mystery box of ingredients.
The chefs competed for additional ingredients over the course of the afternoon before fronting the judging panel with their final dishes.
There was also live music, kids activities and even an appearance by Mr Masterchef himself, Matt Preston (or someone bearing an uncanny resemblance) who was resplendent in a fantastic purple and white ensemble topped off with an orange cravat.
The funds raised from the weekend event will go towards supporting better health services for the Barham Koondrook community.
Head over to the Barham Local Health Medical Trust Facebook page to see more photos from this successful community event.
