Talking Water - Tuesday 6 October 2026
This week's contents
Operations
- Talking Water Data
Business
- Public water auction
- Outlet usage survey 2026
- Women in Water Luncheon - get your tickets today
- Season Outlook Briefings - presentations available
Industry
- Basin Plan - Adjustments to Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs)
- Latest NSW DCCEEW Water Allocation Announcement
- Water sharing plan webinar
- Wakool and Berriquin LHAs AGM
Operational Update
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 Narrows 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
Public water auction
Murray Irrigation Limited (Company) is partnering with Ruralco Water to deliver a public auction of the remaining Sustainability Product water, exclusively to eligible Murray Irrigation customers.
The auction is now live. Customers can register to participate via the Ruralco Water website.
There are a number of parcel still available ranging from 200ML down to 20ML closing at 30 minute intervals up until 4:30pm on Friday 9 October.
Specific details on closing times and dates can be found here and are also outlined on the Ruralco Water auction page above.
For any questions relating to the auction, please contact Ruralco Water on the below details.
Marianne Graham: 0408 239 111 |
mgraham@ruralcowater.com.au
Rebecca Williams: 0427 967 641 |
rebecca.williams@ruralcowater.com.au
As has been
previously communicated, any water that remains unsold via this auction process will form part of Water Solutions' broader water sales throughout the season.
Information regarding this Customer Offer has been published under the
Water Tradingsection of Murray Irrigation's website, and at the BOM’s disclosure portal, in accordance with disclosure provisions that commenced under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) on 1 July 2026.
Outlet usage survey 2026
As announced via
Customer Update last week, Murray Irrigation (Company) is conducting a customer survey to understand the future utilisation of underused irrigation and stock and domestic outlets in the footprint.
The survey will be open from 30 September 2026 until Friday 30 October 2026.
Information gathered through this survey will help the Company:
- Understand customer interest in a potential outlet decommissioning program.
- Identify why outlets that are currently not in use are being retained.
- Explore ways the Company can assist customers to optimise their irrigation operation and further reduce costs where possible.
- Inform future planning and potential support option recommendations to the Board.
- Support future channel reconfiguration or asset decommission projects.
This survey is an information-gathering exercise only. Completing the survey does not commit a customer, or Murray Irrigation, to any future decommissioning, upgrade or funding program.
We encourage customers, particularly those with underutilised irrigation and stock and domestic outlets on their landholding(s) to participate in this survey.
Further information on this survey, including frequently asked questions can be found on the Company's website here.
Women in Water Luncheon
There is just over a week until the Women in Water Luncheon at The Bend in Tocumwal.
Facilitated by Murray Irrigation and Southern Growers this event is designed to bring together women across irrigated agriculture to connect, learn and look to the future.
Running between 10am and 2pm on Thursday 15 October, the morning will feature three information sessions followed by lunch and networking opportunities.
The first session will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be simply introduced into business administration, providing practical ideas for using AI to streamline everyday tasks and make business administration easier and more efficient.
The second session will focus on the different ways Murray Irrigation can work with customers to help them make the most of their water, infrastructure and farming operations.
The final session will be a panel discussion focused on women in irrigated agriculture, exploring the different opportunities across the industry, the support networks available, and different approaches and strategies to understanding the many policy decisions currently influencing irrigated agriculture and your businesses.
Tickets are $22.50 per person, which includes a two course lunch and a drink. All ticket proceeds, less the $2.50 ticket administration fee, will be donated to local Can Assist charities, helping support the important work they undertake in communities across the region.
Season Outlook Briefings - presentations available
For those who were unable to attend the Season Outlook Briefings held last month, recordings of the three presentations are now available on the Company website.
You can also view these presentations by clicking on the presenters below.
Industry News
Basin Plan - Adjustment to Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs)
The MDBA has released its draft SDL Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) reconciliation findings. You can access the MDBA's draft report, and underpinning technical information here:
2026 Public Consultation on SDLAM Reconciliation – Draft determination - MDBA. The MDBA is accepting public submissions on its draft findings until 12 am (AEDT) 1 November 2026.
The MDBA's draft findings confirm that some SDLAM projects have not been delivered as initially agreed. Basin governments will now need to decide how to respond. Further environmental water recovery is one mechanism that they can choose to adopt; however a final decision on how to respond has not yet been made.
Company staff are working closely with Murray Irrigation's Board to develop a strategy to mitigate the risk of any further environmental water recovery. A formal Murray Irrigation written submission will also be provided to the MDBA.
Latest NSW DCCEEW Water Allocation Announcement
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced a 2% increase to NSW Murray General Security water entitlements on Thursday 1 October 2026.
This brings the allocation total for the 2026-27 season to 30%.
You can read the full announcement below.
As detailed in this announcement, with the General Security allocation now reaching 30% in NSW Murray, any new resource improvements from the next assessment will be set aside to repay the Barmah-Millewa Allowance.
Subscribe to DCCEEW's updates by email and download its announcements here.
Water Sharing Plan Webinar
The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, 21 October to provide an overview of its review and remake of to the NSW Murray and Lower Darling Regulated Rivers Water Sharing Plan.
The session will explain DCCEEW's proposed changes, provide an update on progress, and outline the next steps in the process. A questions and answer session will follow the presentations.
Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Time: 11am - 12pm.
Wakool and Berriquin LHA AGM
Wakool LHA and Berriquin LHA will be hosting their Annual General Meetings during the month of October. Details of these events can be found below.
Wakool LHA AGM
Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Time: 7.00pm
Where: Wakool Services Club
Please contact Kate Redfearn on
wakoollandholders@gmail.com or 0417 112 162 to RSVP or for further information.
Berriquin LHA AGM
Date: Monday 19 October 2026
Time: 7.00pm
Where: Finley RSC
Please contact Renee Brooker on
berriquinirrigators@gmail.com or 0427 591 404 to RSVP or for further information.
