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.
Riverina dam levels diving compared to the rest of NSW
Marguerite McKinnon. Blowering Dam water levels have fallen by nearly 70 per cent to 31 per cent capacity and while rain has drenched much of NSW, in the Riverina conditions are not so good with dams drying up. Blowering Dam, which usually holds the equivalent of three times Sydney Harbour, is now down to 31 per cent of its maximum capacity.
Take a look at the proposed Greenmount Water Treatment Plant
New documents released by Toowoomba Regional Council have revealed more details on how the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant will look and how it will function. Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has submitted a material change of use development application to itself in anticipation of the plant's construction, expected to start this year and be completed by early 2027.
Mining exploration escalates in catchment
The Clarence Catchment Alliance CCA, local environmental groups and residents are calling for immediate action as mining exploration for antimony and tungsten escalates across the Wild Cattle Creek area near Dorrigo; a sensitive part of the drinking water catchment relied on by more than 80,000 people in the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour regions.
Why so many SES resources in town?
...Lots of SES boats, big trucks and volunteers in town ... Water is heading our way but many local people are commenting that the response is over the top ... The river is expected to peak at 9.6 metres in the next week or so.
‘Humbled, worried’: Pasin predicts troubled times during this fifth term
Hugh Schuitemaker. Water buybacks will loom large on the second-term Albanese Government's agenda, the re-elected Liberal Member for Barker has warned. Tony Pasin was easily returned for a fifth stint in office on Saturday, despite suffering a 3 per cent two-party-preferred swing against him, and seeing his primary vote dip below 50 per cent.
Voter guide to water policy
An easy assistance guide to the water policy of candidates in four electorates has been prepared by the Speak Up Campaign. Deputy Chair David Farley said the Speak Up executive believed it was important for voters to have a tool which provided a quick reference on this vital national issue.
Candidate profiles
Ten candidates for the seats of Mallee and Farrer respond to questions on a range of key issues including cost of living, national energy security and affordability, housing, water buyback and human rights violations of the Government's Covid-19 response.
$210m spent on water buybacks – local entitlements sold to meet MDB targets
The Australian Government has released figures pertaining to more than $89 million water purchasing contracts for the period March 1 to April 14. Total purchases over the past six weeks total $210 million. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Austender website lists only contract values awarded.
