Farmers take water battle to Supreme Court
After years of simmering frustration, irrigators across the NSW Central Murray and Goulburn-Murray regions are finally getting their day in court. A landmark class action against the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and the Commonwealth Government is set to begin in the Supreme Court of NSW on August 11. The legal battle represents 28,000 group members, and seeks at least $750 million in damages.
Duxton Vineyards is growing more than grapes, it’s growing hope for an endangered Aussie parrot
Among the red gums lining the Murray River, the endangered Regent Parrot is fighting to hang on. With its bright yellow plumage and unmistakable flight, it’s one of Australia’s lesser-known but most threatened species ... Duxton Vineyards, one of Australia’s largest vineyard holders, is working with the NSW Government’s Saving our Species (SoS) program to restore critical habitat for the Regent Parrot.
Basin Plan Evaluation strong evidence the Plan is working: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation assessing the achievements and lessons learned from the 13-years of implementing Australia’s most significant water reform. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said that while implementation is not complete, the Evaluation found evidence that the rivers, wetlands and lakes are in far better shape under the Basin Plan.
Basin Plan Evaluation paints deceptive picture: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the recently released 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation portrays a deliberately deceiving snapshot of the Murray-Darling Basin and ignores the real-world reality facing farmers and communities in the region.
MDBA declares ‘game changing’ positive results for the Basin but sends the clear message it’s time to shift from just adding water: NIC
"It’s very hard to look at these findings and argue the top priority for our Basin environments is even more water from farmers, when 72 per cent of flows are now for the environment, Sustainable Diversion Limits are in place, and clear evidence that non-water threats are holding back environmental outcomes and there is no clear strategy and little action to address these gaps": Zara Lowien, NIC.
Inquiry hears of litany of fails from water policy
It was Dwight Eisenhower who famously stated, 'Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field'. The same rings true for water reform, and once again, this week the list of systemic failures and a lack of basic understanding of how policy decisions impact communities was on display. A NSW Government public hearing held in Deniliquin this week looked at the impacts of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our River) Act 2023 on NSW regional communities.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority communique, July 2025
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) met on 17 July in Sydney ... covered an extensive agenda heading into a busy period of publishing, end of year reporting and the release of the Basin Plan Evaluation and Sustainable Rivers Audit.
Two paddlers tackle the mighty Murray
Two men are planning to undertake separate journeys down Australia's longest river to raise funds for charity ... In April 2026, Tony Pearce, the former Inspector-General for Emergency Management and current chair of the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF), will embark from Bringenbrong Bridge on an unsupported paddle to raise awareness of the mental health...
Locally led
In a bid to garner a better understanding of the important role irrigation plays in supporting biodiversity on farm, food producers from Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI) and the Cohuna and District Landcare group met with MDBA regional engagement officer Sam Campi.
Worst ever drought is only three years away
A Riverina-based engineer with vast experience in climate and infrastructure has repeated his warning that Eastern Australia should prepare for the worst drought ever experienced. The prediction is for a drought that would affect entire communities, not just farmers.
Dalton’s water Bill progresses – environmental water is “a mess”
"It matters because, as of December 2022, governments held over 2.5 million megalitres, which is 2,505 gigalitres, of water licences across New South Wales, yet there is no central, transparent record of what has been done with it. There is no way to track trades": Helen Dalton, Member for Murray.
Reforms mean RIT unable to trade?
Hugh Schuitemaker. One of the Riverland's major irrigation trusts has been left unable to make water trades due to new market reforms. Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT) has advised new regulations under the Federal Government's water market reform would restrict it from facilitating any water trades of allocation or entitlement between customers for now.
A $6.3 billion solution hiding in plain sight
Picture this: you're watching the NSW Treasurer deliver a budget that cuts transport spending by 34 per cent, slashes education infrastructure by 41 per cent, and offers zero additional cost of living relief to struggling families. Meanwhile, sitting in government reservoirs across the state is something that could change everything – 450 gigalitres of surplus water worth a potential $6.3 billion.
Troy gets a Riverland tour
Hugh Schuitemaker. Finding beneficial compromises between Riverland water resource users and those in other states will be necessary for the future success of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to a top water management figure. Inspector-General Of Water Compliance Troy Grant last week visited the Riverland as part of a tour through South Australia.
Supporting Victoria’s Basin communities: Tierney
Victorian Minister for Water Gayle Tierney and Federal Minister for Environment and Water Murray Watt have announced new funding for projects that will recover more environmental water for the Murray-Darling Basin. The projects were identified through the Planning Our Basin Future Together Prospectus...
New water projects welcomed by Victorian farmers: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the announcement by the Victorian and Federal Governments of new funding for water infrastructure and environmental projects in northern Victoria ... The VFF also welcomed the new feasibility studies, which will enable further assessment of water projects identified in last year’s Victorian water prospectus.
Ending the Banrock Station legacy
An iconic Riverland cellar door is set to close its doors to local patrons at the end of the month. Though wetland management and operations are set to continue as normal, access to the wetlands and cellar door will be stopped after a recent decision to close the Kingston-on-Murray site.
New report warns dairy industry faces devastating impacts from Basin Plan: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says a Ricardo report commissioned by Dairy Australia raises serious concerns over the future of the dairy industry, with water buybacks potentially leading to a further 270 million litre decline in milk production.
VFF condemns $63 million Commonwealth water buy as reckless and damaging to farmers: Victorian Farmers Federation
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the Federal Government for paying a staggering premium of $1,000 per megalitre above the seasonal average in its recent purchase of Goulburn water, calling it a reckless move that distorts the market and punishes farmers.
Buybacks to push dairy farmers to the brink: NSW Farmers Association
Milk production could plummet by up to 15 per cent in the southern Murray Darling Basin if water buybacks are not halted immediately, a new study has shown. The Dairy Australia report … Australia’s annual milk production could plummet by up to 270 million litres if the federal government pressed on with water buybacks that would strip dairy farms of vital water supplies.
Murray Darling Basin update
At its final meeting for 2024, the Condamine Catchment Management Association (CCMA) tackled a big question: how healthy is the water in our rivers? ... Using decades of data, maps, legislation and monitoring reports, Dr Paul Webb explored what we know – and what we don't – about the state of our waterways.
River flow assessment ‘far from reality’?
Hugh Schuitemaker and Sebastian Calderon. Senior Riverland politicians say a recent assessment praising the impacts of environmental watering fails to acknowledge economic challenges faced by local primary producers. A recent comprehensive assessment of environmental outcomes in South Australia, conducted by the State Government under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, states environmental water is having a positive impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and habitat quality.
