Can the Minns growth agenda be delivered without water?: Regional Cities NSW
Regional Cities NSW (RCNSW) has called on the Minns Government to prioritise regional water policy and investment after the release of the NSW Auditor-General’s Water management and regulation in NSW report on Monday. RCNSW Chair, and Mayor of Lismore, Cr Steve Krieg said the Auditor-General’s report highlighted the state’s water framework remains complex, fragmented and constrained by poor data and unclear responsibilities.
Farley questions Defence Minister in parliamentary debut
Newly elected Member for Farrer David Farley used his debut parliamentary question time to quiz Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles about the nation's water. Rather than directing his opening questions to the Environment or Agriculture ministers, Farley targeted the Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Murray-Darling Basin compliance activity and outcomes report released: IGWC
The independent Inspector–General of Water Compliance (IGWC), the Hon. Troy Grant, has released the second Murray–Darling Basin Compliance Activity and Outcomes Report (CAOR). This Basin-wide report covers activities in 2023 to 2025, building on the 2022-23 report, and presents a picture of how Basin State regulators monitor water take, apply compliance tools and report publicly on their work.
Lovell demands Labor rule out compulsory flood easements
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has demanded that the Minister for Water rule out introducing legislation to more easily enable the compulsory acquisition of flood easements, and confirm the previous commitment not to use existing powers to flood private land without consent.
Narrandera water: Pressure pays off with deed of release executed for critical design works
The Deed of Agreement concerning Narrandera's future water treatment plant has been executed following sustained pressure from the Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke. The deed was critical in enabling Narrandera Shire Council to progress detailed design and business case work for the project, which aims to deliver clean water to the town.
How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know
Michael Vardon. Australia’s data centre rush now rivals the mining boom. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman last week said Australia could become a “data centre capital of the world”. This would come at an environmental cost ... Before committing fully, we need granular detail on how much water and energy these centres use.
New water treatment plants taking shape in Wilcannia and Ivanhoe as Central Darling Shire navigates $2 million budget deficit
New water treatment plants are taking shape in both Wilcannia and Ivanhoe as Central Darling Shire Council progresses two of the most significant infrastructure investments in the shire's recent history, while the council navigates a projected $2.068 million operating deficit and works to secure emergency backup water supply for the town.
Caught out thanks to Caught in the Current
The launch of Caught in the Current, The Dire Consequences of Politics Driving the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Barham, celebrated a long-awaited, community-driven historical and factual resource on Australian Water Policy ... The book is explicitly designed as a factual counter-narrative and practical tool for inquiries, libraries, and policy debate.
VFF warns government water buybacks are creating an unfair corporate water market
“It’s no longer a level playing field. Farmers trying to secure water to grow food and sustain communities are competing against taxpayer-funded buybacks and major investment entities with access to massive amounts of capital”: VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy.
Neighbouring mayors call for Basin Plan review fairness
The mayors of two neighbouring Victorian municipalities are calling on the Murray Darling Basin Authority to recognise the efforts of improved irrigation systems across the region when conducting its 2026 Basin Plan review.
Littleproud welcomes review of Southern Downs water licence
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the Queensland Governments decision to review the water licence granted to Cherrabah Resort, describing it as an important and positive step. Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy has announced the State Department will review the water licence of Cherrabah Resort after its foreign owners applied to commercially extract and bottle up to 96 million litres of groundwater per year.
Murray-Darling water allocations: where things stand heading into winter 2026
For irrigators across the Riverina and communities across the Far West, the water picture heading into winter 2026 is one that demands close attention. The key dam levels as of 25 May paint a mixed picture. Burrinjuck Dam, which drives allocations for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and surrounding districts centred on Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera, is at 38 per cent.
NSW Labor government must stop delaying Narrandera Water Treatment Plant progress
The NSW Labor government has failed to sign the required Deed of Agreement to progress Narrandera's Water Treatment Plant business case, nearly six months after Commonwealth funding was awarded. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said the ongoing delay is preventing Narrandera Shire Council from progressing critical work to deliver clean drinking water to the community.
MDBA shapes Basin language
A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet, but would it mean the same thing? This is the thought I was left with when the MDBA announced the "Opening trade balance set for Barmah Narrows". Notice the subtle change in language? The "Barmah Choke", which is a natural constriction to water flow within the river channel, has formed part of the operating rules that irrigators had to abide by for longer than some of us have been alive.
“Frack off” – Limestone Coast erupts over fracking push
“Frack off” has been the resounding message coming out from the Limestone Coast following the premier’s announcement that the government plans to lift a 10-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the region, two years ahead of its 2028 expiry.
Opening trade balance set for Barmah Narrows in 2026–27: MDBA
The Barmah Narrows trade provision will start the 2026–27 water year with around 24 gigalitres (GL) available for downstream trade. A restriction on the trade of water downstream of The Narrows (previously referred to as the Barmah Choke) has been active since 2014 to protect water delivery to existing entitlement holders and to maintain the local river environment.
Menindee resident raises alarm over upper lakes releases as environmental concerns mount
A Menindee resident has raised concerns about water releases from the upper lakes of the Menindee Lakes system, warning they could contribute to ongoing environmental deterioration in the Lower Darling-Baaka River system.
A new hope emerges to put Australians first under a Coalition government: Webster
Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said she is proud to see the strong theme of Nationals-driven policies in the Coalition’s vision for the budget, including enabling infrastructure for housing and putting an end to destructive ‘Net Zero’ ideology. “After four wasteful and divisive years of Labor government, by contrast the Coalition has demonstrated the competency and experience in Government to serve all Australians."
Landslide victory for Farley
Sean Cunningham. The One Nation bandwagon continued to roll on with a landslide victory for Narrandera local David Farley in last Saturday's Farrer By-Election. On the back of One Nation's rise during the recent SA elections, the seat of Farrer became the party's latest conquest as voters chose to abandon the Liberals and Nationals and place their faith in Mr Farley.
Mixed responses to the 2026-27 Budget
The May Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers has elicited criticism, and some praise, from many quarters, as illustrated by the following statements from the National Party, Beyond Zero Emissions, National Farmers' Federation and the NFF Horticulture Council, National Seniors Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, TasFarmers, Grain Producers Australia and NSW Farmers.
Historic win – One Nation romps in to claim Farrer seat
David Farley convincingly won last Saturday's Farrer by-election, becoming the first One Nation candidate ever elected to the House of Representatives. For the first time in the history of Farrer, the electorate will not be represented by a Coalition MP. Mr Farley broke through the glass ceiling with a whopping 57.4 per cent of the votes, well ahead of close rival, Independent Michelle Milthorpe's 42.6 per cent.
ACSEES Communique: MDBA
The 36th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Sciences (ACSEES) was convened virtually 21 April 2026 ... The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) updated the Committee on its business priorities and progress on the Basin Plan Review.
