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.
NSW Budget – what’s in it for the Back Country
The Minns Government has handed down the NSW State Budget. Here is what is on the cards for communities living in the Back Country... $12.0 million Broken Hill Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade ... Continuing $24.8 million for the Wilcannia Weir Refurbishment Project ...
Budget sees rate rise of over 9 per cent
A projected surplus of $1.5 million has been supported by substantial rate rises of over 9 per cent in the 2025/26 Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Annual Budget. As ‘Other Urban Residential Areas’, properties in the townships of Wyreema, Cambooya, Nobby, Greenmount and East Greenmount, as well as rural residential properties, will receive an average general rate rise of 9.4 per cent to $1,013.
Water workers edge closer to 4 day work week
Continued bargaining dispute proceedings have brought Riverina Water workers one step closer to trialling a four-day work week if they accept their employer's proposal. A "rigorous" long-running dispute process involving Riverina Water and its employees aligned with the United Services Union (USU) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is slowly beginning to de-escalate after "dramatic" moments of industrial action.
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.
Action against mining demanded
United voices from scientists and experts, residents, farmers, and regional environment groups demanded action against mining in the Clarence catchment as they stood with Gumbaynggirr Traditional Owners at a packed public meeting in Dorrigo last weekend.
Rain relief lifts spirits
After a tense wait, rain has finally fallen but farmers are hoping this is just the beginning of a solid wet season. Joyces Creek farmer Adam Sewell, who also featured on the [Tarrangower Times] cover a few months ago, welcomed water in his dam but said more was needed. Mr Sewell confessed to a few tears of relief when the rain persisted over the King’s Birthday Weekend, after weeks of false starts.
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.
Immediate help needed, not future-proofing
Drought-hit South East farmers need “immediate help” from government-funded relief packages, rather than money for future mitigation measures … That is the view of independent member of the Legislative Council of South Australia Sarah Game, who says her assessment of the state government’s drought-relief packages has been – in part – informed by her communication with South East farmers.
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.
Elmhurst project wins water award
GWMWater is pleased to announce that its project, GWMWater's First Fully Off-Grid Facility, The Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant, has won the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Regional) at the 2025 Australian Water Awards. The project involved successfully upgrading Elmhurst's water supply to meet drinking water standards by implementing a new off-grid water treatment plant.
Irrigated farms, the missing environmental and fodder link
More than 17 years after the Federal Government commenced water buybacks, without a single environmental impact study, a local Victorian dairy farm highlighted the ideal refuge they have with a family of Brolgas visiting this week.
Review finds Basin Plan environmental flows boosting River Murray ecosystems, biodiversity: Close
A comprehensive assessment of environmental outcomes in South Australia under the Murray Darling Basin Plan shows environmental water is having a positive impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and habitat quality. Among the findings was that increased freshwater flows through the barrages has increased the resilience of fish species including black bream, greenback flounder and small-mouthed hardyhead.
Unlocked for repairs
Sebastian Calderon. Riverlanders are being treated to the rare sight of an emptied lock in the region, with maintenance and repair work being done on the major water infrastructure. Lock 3, near Overland Corner, was drained earlier this month and is undergoing essential maintenance works...
Barmah Choke trade opportunity for new irrigation year: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management Jacqui Hickey said water available to trade downstream of the Narrows (Barmah Choke) on 1 July 2025 would be about 39 gigalitres (GL), around 17 GL less than last season.
Mass livestock sell-off as farmers run out of feed and water amid drought
Large parts of southern Australia are enduring a horror run of dry conditions – the driest on record in some parts. Some drought-stricken farmers are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on hay and grain, and selling livestock they cannot afford to keep. Farmers running out of feed and water for their stock are being forced to sell animals in huge numbers...
Cohuna manufacturer at Mildura Field Days
Local Cohuna manufacturer, AWMA Water Control Solutions, were a part of the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre contingent attending the Mildura Field Days ... AWMA were showcasing their high-performance, self-cleaning intake screens that optimise water extraction...
Releases to the Great Darling Anabranch ceasing: What you need to know
WaterNSW is advising landholders and the community along the Great Darling Anabranch (GDA) of a significant change in water management: the cessation of releases from Menindee Lakes to the GDA. This decision comes as the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is ceasing their call on the shared resource that previously necessitated these releases.
