Talking Water - Tuesday 29 April 2025

Interstate Trade for NSW Murray closes tomorrow 

At 11:59pm on 30 April 2025 the NSW Murray and Lower Darling regulated river interstate trade closes.

For more information, view WaterNSW’s website below. 

Water delivery guaranteed dates 

The guaranteed dates for water delivery will be released later this week for all customers.

As outlined in the Season Operating Plan, after the guaranteed delivery date, access to water delivery, including stock and domestic water, is opportunistic and cannot be guaranteed.

Read the Operational Update sent on 16 April for more on Winter Operations. 

Business News

Feasibility Study Survey

There are less than two weeks to go before our customer and shareholder survey closes.

As previously announced, Murray Irrigation is conducting this anonymous survey as part of the joint feasibility study we are undertaking with Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative Limited and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited to find a pathway forward that will minimise the resultant harm of water buybacks on farmers and communities.

The survey is due to close at 9.00am on Monday 12 May. 

If you would prefer to complete this survey via telephone, you can do so by contacting the GHD community number on 1800 810 610 and following the prompts. 

New staff appointments

We are pleased to announce the following two staff appointments to the Murray Irrigation team: 

Shareholder Engagement Manager – Emily Small 

Emily Small has been appointed to the role of Shareholder Engagement Manager, commencing Monday 19 May.

Emily has worked at Murray Irrigation for more than 10 years, and will bring a valuable perspective and a fresh approach to how we connect with shareholders and the community. 

Water Policy Coordinator – Linda Christensen 

Linda Christensen is set to join us as Water Policy Coordinator in early August.

Linda has been supporting Murray Irrigation as a contractor since last year and has already made a significant contribution through her expertise in water policy and advocacy. We are delighted to have her join us in a permanent capacity. 

These two key positions within the organisation will further strengthen the company's ability to deliver on our strategic priorities. 

Murray Irrigation has made a submission to the NSW Government's Inquiry into the Impacts of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 on NSW Regional Communities.
 
This Inquiry, which is being conducted by the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Investment, Industry and Regional Development, is examining how the recent changes in Federal legislation are affecting Murray-Darling Basin communities.
 
Murray Irrigation's submission cites the company's Restoring Murray Waterways Project to underscore its position that environmental outcomes can be achieved under the Basin Plan through "intelligent projects, and innovative water delivery", without the need for large scale water buybacks. 
 
You can view the full submission via the link below.

Community in Focus - South West Music Regional Conservatorium 

The latest in our Community in Focus series showcases South West Music Regional Conservatorium's Mini Musicians program, which brings local children, parents and carers together to experience the fun and joy that comes with music making. 
 
Mini Musicians was introduced in Deniliquin in 2023 and, due to growing popularity, has now spread to Finley and Barooga.
 
Read about the program, its power to connect, and the profound and lasting impact that music has on growing young minds, by clicking on the button below. 

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

Online introduction to Natural Capital

Are you a farmer or land manager interested in learning more about the value of the natural capital that you manage? 

Have you wondered about how you can benefit from enhancing your farm’s natural capital and potentially realise a return through market opportunities? 

This free, self-paced online course introduces you to the language of natural capital, why it is relevant to you and the first steps you can take to explore new decisions for you and your farm or property.

It covers key terms and concepts, the range of market opportunities that may be available to you, and some of the benefits and risks involved in entering into environmental markets.

This pilot course is provided for farmers and land managers in NSW as part of the NSW Local Land Services Natural Capital Support Services Program.