The Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) represents in excess of 400 water entitlement holders in the Gwydir Valley.
Our water entitlement holders are some of the most progressive in the world, actively engaged in, and innovating irrigated agriculture. From broadacre crops such as cotton to tree crops such as pecans, oranges and olives, our industry is diverse and productive. We are all acutely aware that reliability of water in the valley is low, and thus strive to Make Every Drop Count for the producer, the community and the environment.
Our vision is for the local irrigation industry, the environment and the Gwydir Valley community to have a secure, vibrant future, with the GVIA recognised as an industry leader.
The Gwydir Valley, centred around the town of Moree in north west NSW is an extremely productive agricultural region. Agriculture employs 20-30% of the population and contributes an estimate 7.8% of NSW’s total agricultural production. Irrigated agriculture is particularly important, contributing significantly to the social and economic wellbeing of the region.
The irrigated olive industry was initiated in the Gwydir Valley over 25 years ago. Olives are a vertically integrated industry
with the nationally recognised Gwydir Grove Olives the largest local producer and processor. In recent years the number of olive
trees has declined as some producers have switched from olives into pecans.
Oranges are a new irrigation industry in the Gwydir Valley, with the majority of the trees planted since 2005. It is currently expanding
with an expected area of 350Ha to be under production by 2020. The citrus industry in the Gwydir Valley is part of the locally owned and vertically
integrated Grove Juice business.
The pecan industry is an important irrigation industry for the Gwydir Valley. Trawalla, owned and operated by Stahmann Farms is the largest
in the region producing approximately 90% of Australia’s pecans. Australia is the fourth largest global producer of pecans. Stahmann Farms operate
the country's only commercial pecan shelling, value-adding and packing plant.
The Gwydir Valley is a diverse broadacre cropping region producing a range of both summer and winter crops. The primary winter crops include; chickpeas,
wheat, barley, and more recently canola. While summer plantings include sorghum, faba beans, mung beans, maize and sunflowers. The majority of the broadacre
cropping area is dryland.
Cotton is the most significant irrigated crop in the Gwydir Valley with an average of 70,000Ha. It is also an important dryland crop with an average of 79,000Ha annually.
The area planted can fluctuate from year to year, being dependant on either available irrigation water and seasonal rainfall.
Lucerne and Hay are niche crops in the Gwydir Valley covering an estimated 4,500Ha. Lucerne is produced primarily on smaller blocks and is irrigated by bore water
entitlements. Hay production includes Lucerne, cereals and pastures.
The turf industry has been a part of the irrigation industry of the Gwydir Valley for almost 20 years, but there are only two producers in the valley. It covers a very small
area of only 20Ha and is irrigated by bore water entitlements. The primary species produced is Buffalo.
The Gwydir Wetlands are a system of terminal delta wetlands, located downstream of the Gwydir River approximately 45kms west of Moree in north west NSW. They are recognised for their
unique vegetation and bird breeding potential. The wetlands are estimated to consist of approximately 6,829Ha of semi-permanent wetland and 77,949Ha of floodplain wetland.
WaterNSW monitor 51 river gauge locations in the Gwydir River and streams(418) using telemetry with data accessible in real time. These sites collect a range of information from flow rate,
discharge volume and river heights and assist WaterNSW in their role of water delivery operators whilst providing an indication of water availability.
All water in the Gwydir is managed by water sharing plans established progressively since 2004. Currently 19% of long term Gwydir river flows and 85% of sustainable yield of the Lower Gwydir
aquifer are available for irrigation. This has been reduced over time following reforms and water recovery for environment.
The are a number of groundwater sources including the Lower Gwydir aquifer used for irrigation and the Great Artesian Basin, including recharge zones. WaterNSW monitor
levels via 26 monitoring sites with data accessible in real time.
Groundwater provides reliable irrigation water, quality drinking water for towns and properties and is one of the region’s major tourism attractions.
Copeton Dam is located on the Gwydir River upstream of Bingara on the north-west slopes of NSW. It is one of the largest inland dams in NSW with a capacity of 1,364,000
megalitres of water. It was initiated in 1966 to provide town water supplies and to boost irrigated agricultural production in the Gwydir Valley.
The DCCEEW will be hosting a webinar on the draft Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated River Water Sources 2025.
This webinar will cover the following topics:
the draft water sharing plan
the public exhibition details, and
how to make a submission.
A question-and-answer session will be held at the end of the webinar. Please include your questions when you register at the link below.
Alternatively email your questions to wspconsultation@dpie.nsw.gov.au.
There will also be a meeting in Bingara on Wednesday 27th November 2024. Register
hereRead More
WaterNSW pricing proposal to double cost of rural water
Rural water users in NSW could see their costs more than double over the next five years if IPART accepts the WaterNSW pricing proposal released today.
NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller said pricing proposal recommends hiking water bills by 21-24% every year for five years, adding up
to $40,000 to a ‘typical’ farmer’s water bill by 2030.
“NSWIC is alarmed by this proposal and urges stakeholders across industries to understand the implications. Many stakeholders are not fully
informed about the proposed prices, leaving them at risk of being unprepared until it is too late,” Ms Miller said.
This month’s focus is on Water Sharing Plans, what they are and why we need them. The presentation will cover how water sharing plans
are remade and outline which inland plans are due to be remade by 1 July, 2025 and how you can comment on the proposed
changes.
Speakers from the Water Group at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water include:
Peter Hyde, Director Inland Water Planning
Antonia Morrow, Senior Advisor, Water Engagement team
Included is the NSW Irrigators Council September Newsletter. This includes commentary on;
Concerns raised by the Inspector-General for Water Compliance in an audit of DCCEEW, (federal) protocols to prevent insider trading on its
Bridging the Gap (BTG) water buyback.
The release of the latest round of water buybacks under Bridging the Gap, aimed at recovering water to meet Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) in the Condamine-Balonne and NSW Border Rivers.
The National Water Agreement which introducers a range of concerning proposals under the 302 principles that the federal government is trying to rush though before the next election.
The National Ag Rally - and the complete lack of consultation with farmers in areas which are critical to the sustainability of the industry
- our Chair Jim Cush joins the 1-2,000 at the front of parliament house.
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is holding a farmer rally in Canberra to highlight the key issues impacting on Australian agriculture and its communities -- including the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. If you cannot make the rally NFF have a petition
going.
The MDBA published the 2022-23
Sustainable Diversion Limit Accounts
on 2 August. It shows water use across the Basin was 23 per cent below the 2022-23 SDLs, continuing the pattern of chronic and
persistent water underuse since the 1994 Cap.
In NSW Basin valleys, water use was 16.6 per cent, or 1105 GL, under the state's SDLs for 2022-23. The Gwydir diverted 26%, or
214.5GL less than its 2022-23 SDL.
Several other valleys were also well under, including:
Barwon-Darling diverted 34 per cent, or 155 GL, less than its 2022-23 SDL.
NSW Murray diverted 25 per cent, or 342.6 GL, less than its 2022-23 SDL.
Macquarie-Castlereagh diverted 27 per cent, or 231 GL, less than its 2022-23 SDL
Since accounting began on 1 July 2019, water use across the Basin has consistently remained below the SDLs, accumulating a 5076 GL credit in
unused water
Read More
The Water Engagement Roundup is a live monthly webinar about all ongoing and upcoming engagements and consultation on important water
policy, reforms and programs for New South Wales, and includes a guest presentation topic each month. This month’s focus topic is a deep
dive into some of our work under the Hydrometric Networks and Remote Sensing Program, following with an open question and answer
session.
Speakers from the Water Group at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water include:
Mustak Shaikh, Principal Remote Sensing/Geospatial, Water Knowledge
Kilian Vos, Senior Remote Sensing Analyst, Water Knowledge
Antonia Morrow, Senior Advisor, Water Engagement team
The most recent NSWIC newsletter provides details of some of the challenges being faced by water entitlement holders across NSW. The
GVIA are working with NSWIC on the issues that will directly impact our region. Most critical at present is the Connectivity Panel
report. Over the next few weeks we will provide you more insight into how or what actions we can progress.
Moderate rainfall and constant river flows were experienced across the Gwydir catchment during 2023–24. Major flooding occurred across the
Gwydir River floodplain during March and April 2023.
Water managers used water for the environment during the 2023–24 water year to support fish communities in rivers and create connections to
the Barwon River, the Mallowa Creek, and low flows into the Gingham Watercourse to fill waterholes by season’s end.
In planning for 2024–25, water managers have applied:
a set of principles and triggers to guide the watering of key water-dependent assets
an adaptive approach to support fish and downstream ecological connectivity.
As of June 2024, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation outlook is neutral. That is, neither La Niña nor El Niño conditions are favoured as
oceanic and atmospheric indicators have returned to neutral levels. International climate models suggest neutral El Niño–Southern
Oscillation conditions will persist through the southern winter, but there are some signs that La Niña conditions could form later in the
2024–25 water year.
Read More
WaterNSW has recently installed a new Hydrometric gauging station on Gurley creek at Tyrone road. This gauge will be able to provide river height data as soon as there is water in Gurley creek. There may be a delay in it's ability to provide accurate flow information.
On 4 July 2024, the Australian Government released the Framework for delivering the 450 GL of additional environmental water.
The Framework sets out how the government will recover 450 GL of water for enhanced environmental outcomes.
There are three programs:
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is hosting a 60 minute an online public webinar to provide an
update at 12:00pm (AEST) on 17 July 2024, including representatives from DCCEEW and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. More details and
resources can be found here: https://linktr.ee/dcceew_waterRead More
General security (GS) licences and the Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) in the Gwydir regulated river water source have received an allocation of 1% of their entitlement. Since the last assessment, rainfall has continued to elevate inflows above minimums and losses remain
lower than the budgeted volume resulting in the 1% allocation increment. Inflows into Copeton Dam in June were 18.1 gigalitre (GL) and
downstream tributary inflows added about another 3.0 GL to the system. Total essential supply demand was about 1 GL, and general security
usage was approximately 1 GL. There were no EWA orders in June. Water currently available to GS water users totals 469.7 GL, or an average
92% of entitlement. The Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) account balance is about 89 GL or about 199% full.
The program outlines the proposed strategic purchasing framework for the $100mill available to purchase aboriginal water. It will
be delivered under an interim governance arrangement. The Commonwealth will hold entitlements until an enduring governance mechanism is
designed. This governance mechanism will eventually take over the management of water entitlements acquired during the interim period. The Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will commence purchasing entitlements under an
interim governance structure that includes an Advisory Group and a Directorate composed of aboriginal People. The structure aims to ensure decision-making is culturally and commercially informed
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has published the What We Heard Report from recent consultation
on delivering the 450 GL.
The North West Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan was developed through consultation with a range of stakeholders. This plan
covers 10 established pest species such as deer, pigs and rabbits. The NSW Governments are looking for your input through a
survey or via a submission.
Read the North West Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan and
share your insights and feedback by completing the survey, answering the quick poll and/or uploading a submission by Monday 8
July 2024.
Please find included the May newsletter from NSW Irrigators Council. The newsletter provides updates on the Connectivity Panel Interim
report, the National Water reform, the federal budget and metering.
Expressions of interest open for the Murray–Darling Basin Community Committee
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is seeking expressions of interest from individuals to serve as members of the Basin Community
Committee (BCC). Established under the Water Act 2007, the BCC plays a vital role in advising the MDBA and the Murray–Darling Basin
Ministerial Council on issues relating to water management in one of Australia’s largest river systems. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew
McConville said members of this Committee will provide essential input to governments as full implementation of the Basin Plan progresses
and the Authority prepares for the 2026
Basin Plan Review.
“We need people with diverse views and experiences from right across the Basin to lend their voice on water and environmental management,”
Mr McConville said.
Up to 6 vacancies will be appointed by the Authority for this round. They will commence in April 2025 for up to 3 years, offering a
rewarding opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Basin-scale water management decision-making.
Nominations close 11:30 pm on Sunday 14 July 2024. Information is available from The MDBA Careers
page
The Moree AgTech Breakfast will be on Wednesday 19th June from 7:30 - 9:30am
Supported by UNE SRI and Cicada Innovations, the breakfast will delve into the future of agriculture, showcasing the power of technology
and innovation in transforming Moree's and Australia's agricultural landscape.
Panellists include Oscar Pearse (Director of NSW Farmers Association), Lachlan Elworthy (Agronomist McGregor Gourlay), Jack Rickers
(Hiringa Energy, green hydrogen), Sophie Venz (President of Young Aggies) facilitated by Brooke Sauer (owner & director of
IntellectAg). Following the TED-style talks will be interactive discussions, Q&A and breakfast.
Business NSW are conducting a re-run of the Workplace Law Training for Business Zoom webinar this Friday 17th May at 10am. It is free to
register as a member of Moree Chamber of Commerce.
This is the 'blurb' to intro the webinar: Due to overwhelming popularity, we are excited to announce that we will run the Expert
Industrial Relations Guidance: Workplace Law Training for Business webinar again, in partnership with Australian Business Lawyers &
Advisors. Learn invaluable insights into the recent changes in workplace and industrial relations laws following the passing of the Closing
Loopholes Bills.
The NSW Irrigators Council April 2024 newsletter provides updates on issues important to irrigators across the state including;
The Connectivity Panel interim report
National Water Agreement
Water Market reform and
The Murray Darling Basin Update
The NSW Government have released their Non-urban metering what we hear report. The main issues raised were:
- Availability of DQP's
- Call for greater flexibility and
- Simplification
- Cost of compliance.
The report focuses primarily on the survey responses, but does acknowledge issues with need to ensure data system and equipment standards are "fit for purpose".
For FPH: "Just over half of submissions (n=15) received recommended that the floodplain harvesting measurement policy be reviewed to
ensure that it is practically effective, arguing that it is impractical and not currently fit-for-purpose." More details are available in the report.
NRAR issued the following media release today confirming the NSW Government has two sets of rules for irrigators with water users with
floodplain harvesting licences being treated inconsistently to all other water users - having no ability to nominate individual points of
take and alternative systems, when a primary measurement device is not yet operable. Thus confirming the NSW Government intends to undermine
the integrity of the process of issuing floodplain harvesting licences in the Gwydir Valley.
The Regional Skills Relocation Grant assists regional NSW businesses in identified industries attract skilled and specialised employees
from NSW metropolitan areas, interstate or internationally, to regional NSW. Grant amount: Up to $12,500 Application closes: 15 December 2023
The Regional Skills Relocation Grant aims to:
support economic growth in regional NSW by supporting businesses and organisations to find and attract skilled workers to live and work in
regional NSW
fill regional job vacancies
increase the strength, diversity and size of regional economies.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Regional NSW.
Read More
Despite a concerted effort by NSWIC, NIC and NFF on Thursday 30th November the Controversial Water Amendment Bill. Labour did deals with the greens and cross benchers to pass a bill which has not had any regulatory impact assessment done on it and has removed to critical
socio-economic considerations initially tied to the 450GL enhanced environmental outcomes for the southern connected system.
This means the 5GL over-recovery from the Gwydir can now be attributed to the 450GL.
On the day the various Senate reports on the Water Amendment Bill were released, we thought it might be time to re-release Cold Fish. A
humorous take on the serious issue of Cold Water pollution and the detrimental impacts it can have on native fish populations. It is
disappointing that the Government is not considering complementary measure as a critical element to improving the health of our rivers.
Instead, the Bill is focused on removing social economic considerations, removing the cap on buybacks and on chasing 450GL without regard to
the environmental measures it was intended to achieve.
DCCEEW hosted webinar about the Water Amendment Bill 2023 on 11 October 2023.
The webinar ran for 90 minutes with panel representatives from DCCEEW, MDBA, CEWH, BoM, ACCC and IGWC.
Questions raised during the webinar will be answered in the near future. Additional information from the department is available here
The Water engagement roundup is a live monthly webinar update about ongoing and upcoming engagements and consultation on important water
policy, reforms and programs for NSW. This month we focus on the NSW Groundwater Strategy.
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM Australian Eastern Standard Time (New South Wales)
The Habitat Action Grants are funded from the Recreational Fishing Trusts which direct revenue generated by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee
towards onground actions to improve fish habitat and recreational fishing in NSW.
Angling clubs, individuals, community groups, local councils and organisations interested in rehabilitating fish habitats in freshwater and
saltwater areas throughout NSW can apply for grants of up to $40,000.
Habitat rehabilitation projects which may be funded include:
removal or modification of barriers to fish passage
rehabilitation of riparian lands (river banks, wetlands, mangrove forests, saltmarsh)
re-snagging waterways with timber structure
removal of exotic vegetation from waterways and replace with native species
bank stabilisation works.
Grants are open until the 29th of September 2023Read More
Improve the rate and reach of R&D adaption and adoption
Enable successful cotton industry expansion
Respond to biosecurity threats and assist in the event of natural disasters
The Role
With the incumbent moving on, there is now the need for a replacement CottonInfo Program Lead. Reporting to the CRDC GM
Communications and Extension and working closely with the joint venture partners, the role is responsible for leading the extension program
and supporting a team facilitating the adoption of R&D in the Australian cotton industry.
The CottonInfo Program Lead is responsible for shaping, implementing and delivering against the CottonInfo strategic plan in this execution
role, influencing the team delivering key information to market.
This includes delivering on KPI’s around:
The Peter Cullen Water & Environment Trust invites applications from people who are actively involved in water and environmental
science, systems, advocacy, policy or management, to participate in our unique Leadership Program. This transformative Program is designed
to foster courageous leaders who will drive the sustainable and equitable management of Australia’s waterways and natural
environments. The PCT Leadership Program enables participants to develop their leadership capabilities, communication skills and
ability to drive change.
Limited to 16 participants, this remarkable journey significantly changes the clarity, confidence, shared vision and strategic capability
of each participant, and enhances their capacity to take up leadership roles within their organisations and communities.
Applications for the 2024 Leadership Program are now open, and will close on 15 October 2023. The 2024 Program will run
across two sessions: 17-22 March 2024 and 19-24 May 2024. Further group work and meetings will occur online between these two
sessions.
To apply for a position in the Program, please read the information provided in the links,
prepare your application material, and submit via the online application form prior to the closing date. To apply you will need a current
CV, statement of claim addressing the selection criteria, two current referees, and your ‘pitch’ for why you are the right match for this
Program.
Applications are open for the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), the flagship program of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
(ARLF). Over 30 diverse leaders from across rural, regional and remote Australia, come together for a series of unique and immersive
experiences to develop their leadership capabilities. The program takes place over 15 months and develops the capacity of individuals as
leaders in ways that are transformational in many, using face-to-face experiential learning supported by online engagement and peer-to-peer
mentoring.The program will commence in June 2024 and finish in September 2025 (four sessions with over 40 contact days). For more
information about the ARLP, visit https://rural-leaders.org.au/programs/australian-rural-leadership-program/ TO APPLY: You need to apply via our online platform -https://apply-rural-leaders.smapply.io/prog/australian_rural_leadership_program/.
You will need to register first.
The Australian Farm Data Code (the Code) was developed and adopted by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in consultation with industry,
and with support from the Australian Government.
The Code is intended to inform the data management policies of product and service providers who manage data on behalf of farmers. It is
also a yardstick by which farmers can evaluate the data terms and policies of those providers. Benefits to farmers include:
increased awareness and understanding of the ways in which providers are collecting, using, and sharing their farm data;
a framework to compare providers and inform negotiations about data terms and policies; and
improvements to industry-wide data practices over time.
Benefits for service providers include: clear and agreed guidance on data policies and a helpful framework to inform
discussions with farmers about data.
Read More
Funding from the NSW Government through the NWLLS Has enabled the GVIA to manage the Gwydir Valley Strategic Pest Management
Initiative. The aim is to assist landholders monitor and manage feral pigs in the Gwydir Valley. The most effective management of feral pigs
involves a co-ordinated regional approach. As part of the project we are providing Gwydir Valley producers support for feral pig management. To get this support please complete the attached form and forward it with a copy of pig control invoices to Lou
Gall
at the GVIA office.
The Australian Government has announced consultation into ideas and ways to finalise the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
The Gwydir Valley has 5,000 ML of environmental water over the legal requirements for the Basin Plan and the consultation open at the
moment presents an opportunity to highlight this and the inequity that exists for the region who has over-recovered water compared with regions that have progress still to make.
WaterNSW are seeking views from customers and the community regarding water pricing values and outcomes for 2025-2030.
Considering it is water users that must pay for these outcomes and values, it is important that your views are received and
understood by WaterNSW. To make that happen we ask you to take the time to complete the survey.
The GVIA and other Customer Advisory Group members will have the opportunity to have input into this process but it starts with this
survey.
We are delighted that our Project Officer, Lou Gall has been awarded a new opportunity to enhance her governance education as part of the
Women’s Regional Rural & Remote Diversity Scholarship in partnership with @Australian
Institute of Company Directors
and with the support of the @Department
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s
Office for Women. Lou starts the program next month. #scholarships #governance.
There are a range of future scholarship opportunities available via the AICD website.
Following recent rainfall, WaterNSW have announced a 10% supplementary event for most sections of the rivers. If water users do not intend to take supplementary water, please contact WaterNSW so that can be reallocated.
See WaterInsights update for details.
NOTE: following this event, Tareelaroi Weir is again out of action to complete the refurbishment works required. This will mean you will not be able to order General Security or High Security allocation downstream of the weir until the works are complete. This is
planned to require around 7 weeks, up until end of May.
NSW Government has extended the Farms for the Future grants which are available in our region.
These grants provide opportunities to upgrade your farm ag technology and connectivity improvements.
You must complete an online training program and farm plan to be eligible. Note also this program can be used for selected government telemetry connectivity and selected secondary devices for floodplain harvesting measurement.
Monday 20th March - Learn about your local river, its cultural heritage and the creatures that call it home.
Join CottonInfo for a FREE, FUN and INFORMATIVE kayak trip at Moree's Tareelaroi Weir. You will hear from aquatic experts, entomologists and ecologists about what animals contribute to natural pest control in your region and what you can do to manage their
habitats.
Presenters: Simone Heimoana (CSIRO entomologist) – Pest Suppressive landscapes, Dr Rhiannon Smith (UNE ecologist) – Valuing biodiversity and how best to revegetate floodplains Dr Susan Fuller (QUT ecologist) – Innovative acoustic monitoring technology David Preston (DPIE) –
Environmental flows and river management, Rodney Price (NSWDPI ecologist) – Fish Screening program, Jay Barnett (OzFish unlimited) – River Repair Bus, Kerrie Saunders (Yinarr-ma) – Cultural Heritage and bushtucker
Sundown Pastoral Company would like to invite you to join them for the 2022 Bayer Grower of the Year Field Day at Keytah, Moree on
21st February 2023
from 10am.
Industry-led panel sessions will explore:
1. Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
2. Customer expectations along the value chain.
3. The power of Supply Chain Traceability.
4. Adaptive Agriculture and Innovative Solutions for Growers
5. Practical Applications and Field Innovations
Please see your invitation included. A detailed agenda is available here.
Could you please share this information with your network as this will be a fantastic day where all aspects of the cotton supply chain from
field to fabric will be explored. .
We hope to see you there! Please RSVP for catering purposes.
Tocal College are taking applications for their WHS &
HR Fundamentals course (online).
The course is designed for business owners, managers and supervisors and is delivered as 3 distinct topics (WHS, industrial relations and managing your team) over 16 weeks. It starts Feb 20th, with applications closing Friday (Feb 3rd).
The Australian Government Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program is open. The program will support grants valued up
to $8 million per grant. The program will fund innovative and transformational practices that have the potential to positively influence (socially, economically and/or environmentally) the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Australian farms from the impacts of drought and climate change.
Projects will test, refine, and demonstrate the effectiveness (or otherwise) of yet to be proven farming practices in a robust scientific
manner. The testing of these practices will underpin and assist to drive widespread adoption through increased evidence and by providing
farmers with the confidence and information they need to try the practices themselves.
Expressions of Interest (EIO) for the Regional Job Creation Fund are open. Attracting new investment to the regions and boosting job security will be the focus of the next round of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government Regional Job Creation Fund. The Regional Job
Creation Fund will provide grants for regional businesses to expand operations and attract interstate and international businesses to
relocate to regional NSW.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants of between $100,00 and $10 million for projects such as replacing plant equipment, upgrading technology and ensuring businesses that might otherwise have to relocate can remain based in regional areas.
Expressions of Interest for Round Three will close 5pm Monday, 6 March 2023. Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit
detailed applications from May 2023.
Moree Chamber have forwarded a couple of Flood Impact Surveys. These help inform both local and state governments and may assist in
future aid packages. It is important that these surveys provide information on impacts from businesses across our shire, so we would
appreciate it if you could please complete them - it takes 2 minutes.
The Gwydir is one of the first four regional water strategies that have been finalised by the Department of Planning and Environment. The
plan covers three Priority areas;
1. Water for critical human and environmental needs
2. Sustainable water resources for new and existing users
3. Best use of existing water for the environment
New local intelligence devices available for non-urban water metering reform
Three telemetry-enabled local
intelligence devices
(LIDs) have been listed for use for non-urban metering, including one which can transmit data from multiple meters.
The FlowPRO Multipoint Monitoring System is the first listed LID that supports the transmission of data from multiple meters. It is a
cost-effective solution for water users who can now purchase a single LID for use with up to 4 meters. Read More
NSW Government is requesting landholders impacted by recent flooding to report damages using the Natural Disaster Survey via the link
below.
This information will be used to seek assistance and target the Government's response. It includes and esitimate of crop losses,
infrastructure and repairs.
For isolated members needing emergency assistance for food supplies and medication contact SES 132 500.
The Gwydir River peaked at Gravesend at 11:45pm on Friday 21st October 2022 at a height of 16.20m. as of 10am on Saturday 22nd October 2022 the Gwydir was falling at Gravesend, steady at both Pally and Yarraman. The Mehi was rising in Moree at this time. Please visit the History of Flooding page on our website for more information. Gwydir
Valley Irrigators Association Inc - History Of Flooding (gvia.org.au)
We have also linked to the MPSC website with more information.
For updates on Copeton Dam operations, which is under airspace management and adjusting releasing according to actual and forecast inflows,
you are encouraged to register for the Early Warning Network via WaterNSW the river operators.
WaterNSW operate an Early Warning System for subscribers which provide critical water updates for the state. You can select your
valleys of interest when you register.
This year Mr Bernie George was awarded the prestigious Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Service to Industry Award. Bernie is the Water Services and Compliance Manager at Australian Food & Fibre. Bernie has been delivering excellence in service to the cotton industry
through various high-profile roles for over 30 years. He has worked in the Gwydir having been instramental in the development of the Auscott Midkin aggregation, and has represented various industry organisations including as Chair of the Cotton Australia Board and as a member
of the National Irrigators Council and NSW Irrigators Council. It is wonderful to see Bernie recognised for his committment to the cotton
and irrigation industry.
Keytah was announced as the 2022
Cotton Grower of the Year
at the Australian Cotton Conference. Nick Gillingham, Keytah General Manager along with owners David and Danielle Statham are pictured
receiving the award in August. Sundown Pastoral Company have been actively involved in irrigation efficiency research since 2009, they have
willingly shared their experiences and understanding to help other producers adopt new and innovative technologies. The team are also
farming St Ronans in Qld and have been instrumental in the creation of the Good Earth
Cotton
Company and FibreTrace. This award is well deserved and highlights that the
Gwydir is still at the forefront of the Australian Cotton Industry.
At last NSW DPE recently confirmed that there is a new exemption for metering conditions for "works used solely
to take water under a basic landholder right".
This means, groundwater works in particular those that have an water access licence attached to the work ("the bore") but
you do not use it to irrigate, rather you only use it for stock and domestic purposes are now exempt from metering requirements. This
exemption is welcomed considering the cost implications for individuals with little benefit to the reform outcomes, as there is no water
being used for irrigation anyway.
You may want to inform WaterNSW to tag your work as not active for irrigation, however it is not a requirement.
The below link refers to all the current exemptions available.
NSW DPI Fisheries is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from water users who would like financial and logistic assistance to upgrade their water diversion (pump or gravity-fed channel) with a modern fish-protection screen.
Modern screens keep fish and debris where they belong – in the river and out of infrastructure. They feature a large self-cleaning surface
area that maintains the volume of water extracted, while using a fine mesh that limits the extraction of fish from our rivers.
We encourage all members with surface water offtakes to apply, regardless of whether you are located in the priority area along the
Mehi River or not.
Applications are easy - just your works details and descriptions. Visit the website for more information EOI
- Fish Screens Australia
Water NSW have announced a rescheduling of the regulator works at Tarelaroi Weir until April 2023.
Works to have the regulator back fully operational will need to occur prior to the commencement of this season's delivery which will result in a 1-2 week shut down period for the Mehi/Moomin. The gates must be properly reinstalled to allow full operations.
WaterNSW confirmed today that all the approvals have been implemented to enable floodplain harvesting licences in the Gwydir Regulated
River Water Source and the Gwydir Unregulated Water Sources, where there is a licence with allocation available to take water.
The announcement confirmed that these licences can be used provided the total storage in Menindee Lakes is greater than 195GL. The Menindee Lakes currently have a total of 1,958 GL storage or at 113% capacity, which is 1000 times more water than the drought
limit triggers which restrict floodplain harvesting access. Restrictions are also removed when local in-valley flow targets can be achieved,
these our outlined for each management zone in the WSP.
For a copy of the announcement, visit WaterInsights.
DPE have made an allocation announcement for supplementary entitlements of 0.79 megalitres per unit share brining supplementary entitlements
to 100% availability, this has come in response to the issuing of replacement floodplain harvesting licences in the regulated and
unregulated water sources with water availability of 1 megalitre per unit shares. These licences are now fully enabled.
This for the first time brings all licences into the water management framework and with 100% availability for all forms of take with
general security accounts at their maximum of 150%.
I'll note Copeton Dam remains on spill operations to maintain capacity to 100% and more information is available on our webpage linked below.
In a milestone for water management in the region, the NSW Water and Environment Minister’s jointly amended the Gwydir’s water sharing plans
to include floodplain harvesting, the take of water during floods.
This is the final form of water in the region to be licensed and has taken 20 years of delays and deliberations with licences to begin by 1
September 2022.
Zara Lowien, the Executive Officer of the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association whose members will be the first in NSW to be licenced for
this form of take said this is not a win for northern irrigators, as it's often portrayed.
"On average water users in the Gwydir are losing 30% of their long-term access to flood water which will have more than a $90 million impact to our economy through less production" she
said.
"Make no mistake, this is an environmental reform like no other.”
The Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Regulated River Water Source and the Gwydir Unregulated Water Sources were amended and made
available on Friday, 29 July 2022.
The updates include the floodplain as a source of water and the new account management, access and dealing rules for replacement floodplain harvesting licences which are due to commence no later than 1 September 2022. This is a major milestone for the near completion of the Healthy Floodplains Program in our region.
Update were also made to make these plans consistent with rules for the Basin Plan.
The Mehi River has been flowing quickly through Moree as Copeton Dam spilled to make room for recent inflows. These flows were largely shared between the Carole Ck and the Mehi River. The releases were then used to fulfil orders for water users who are planning to
irrigate wheat and ensure on farm supplies are ready for the upcoming cotton season.
Releases from Copeton peaked at 7,000 ML per day and have reduced to 1,600 ML per day. Currently, there is just under 3,000ML/day
visible under the bridge through town as per the picture.
WaterNSW are actively managing Copeton Dam to 99% capacity unless water orders reduce this volume.
The NSW Government has released a draft Groundwater Strategy which is currently open for consultation. The Strategy is available here
for review.
Public webinars are available on 25th and 28th of July to hear about the strategy and its objective and priorities.
The Gwydir region relies on a number of groundwater sources to maintain production during droughts as well as stock and domestic use around
the catchment. Groundwater also supplies many of our towns and commercial businesses.
The GVIA will be participating in the public and targeted information sessions prior to preparing a submission. Please click the link for
more information or to register for one of the public information webinars.
Carbon is one of the topics getting attention at present. It is important for our members to understand what it means for them. To help
we are hosting the Gwydir Regional Carbon Forum in partnership with UNE, NSW DPI and the CRDC. We are looking to provide information on
Sustainable Soil Management and how this links with a productive cropping system and Carbon.
What is soil Carbon: Understanding, monitoring and measuring soil carbon. What levels could be expected as a baseline? What
do producers need to know before they make any changes? How can they use existing/historic soil tests?
Understanding and measuring emissions: What is involved in making this assessment and how should producers go about collecting the
information.
Data management: What data do producers need, where can it be stored, how can this be easily managed over time.
Tools that can assist producers and agronomist easily manage the Carbon space.
When: 3rd August 2022 Where: Town and Country Club, 5 Frome St, Moree Start: 2:00pm
The NSW Government as enabled the establishment of replacement floodplain harvesting licences and mandatory metering conditions in regulation on 1 July 2022.
These regulations provide the framework to determine, issue and implement floodplain harvesting licencing in NSW.
The regulations provide for a temporary exemption to take rainfall run off collected in irrigation tailwater drains when no other overland
flow is being intercepted - i.e. outside of floods. This enables a consistent approach around NSW to ensuring irrigators can
adopt best management practices and implement required environmental safeguards.
There were minor amendments to these regulations which can be summarised here.
Local valley based water sharing plans must be amended to reflect the local implementation of these replacement licences.
Copeton Dam is at 99% capacity with approximately 35,000 ML of surplus water available for allocation to accounts with airspace. Currently all accounts are at their maximum and do not have airspace.
Copeton Dam is being carefully managed to a safe capacity. This means releases will beginning to occur to make airspace for
upstream inflows.
Spill releases trigger unregulated flow rules below Copeton Dam and can be accessed as supplementary or higher priority licences such as
general security of high security. Currently, WaterNSW have an expression of interest open for supplementary access. Supplementary allocations are currently reduced to 21%.
Local water utilities and High Security Licences received 1 ML per unit share or 100% allocation. These licences are secured with
reserves for 2-years.
General Security Licences are at their full account of 150% and therefore, no allocations were made as users carried over that water. Copeton Dam remains at 99% meaning there is surplus water available for allocation for accounts that have airspace. The next allocation is due before 7 July 2022.
Supplementary Licences received only 0.21 unit share of 21% allocation. This reduction is a direct response to the failure to issue floodplain harvesting licences and update the Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Regulated Water Source.
1ML unit share announcement was made for aquifer licences with 100% allocation to local utilities.
This announcement includes the Lower Gwydir Groundwater water source, the Great Artesian Basin water sources and Fractured Rock
water sources across the Valley.
The next draft of the Gwydir Regional Water Strategy is open for consultation this month with submissions due by 29 June 2022. The strategy aims to provide a forward plan for priorities and actions for the region to work towards building resilience within our communities
and industries through variable conditions.
The GVIA attended the public sessions in Inverell and Moree this week where concerns regarding the lack of infrastructure options, the need
for a forward thinking and equitable policy framework and the challenges with water delivery for all water users in extended dry
periods was discussed.
A webinar will be hosted on 20 June 2022 for more information visit the Department website.
Gwydir High Security and General Security water users will end the water year with full accounts, as Copeton Dam remains full at 99% with
accounts again topped up to the full limits.
There remains 34.3GL surplus water in Copeton Dam even after this last announcement which can be allocated to accounts with airspace.
IPART NSW have finalised water prices for the 2022-23 water year, agreeing to inflation only increases. The outcome will see a 5.1%
increase and will be felt by all water users, who are encountering significant input cost rises across their businesses. With water
availability high the cost increase will come at a time with farm production is also at its peak. However users on a one-part tariff
who do not use their allocation or licence this year, will need to absorb the increase as they have less opportunity to offset the
rise through increased production.
We have updated the pricing page with the current information.
This month DPIEW confirmed that all stored regulated accounts are again at their maximum level, with excess water stored in Copeton Dam. This brings the years total allocation to 413% which is an odd way of explaining that accounts have been full and spilling since
December 2021, only those with airspace can receive the available water.
There is excess water available for sharing remaining in Copeton Dam when the dam is higher than 95%, the most recent resource assessment had 1,300ML surplus water available for next months allocation announcement (provided their is account airspace).
This months resource assessment provided a further 8.6% allocation to general security accounts, with the ECA and environmental water
accounts at maximum level. Irrigation water availability is just below the 600GL maximum account limit.
The main summer irrigation season is drawing to a close and deliveries to the Gwydir Wetlands are also slowing down, which should see
releases at Copeton Dam ease off and the majority of this water carried over for future use.
Copeton Dam is holding steady at 93% capacity which means there is plenty of water to enjoy at the Holiday Park. At this level at the end of the irrigation season we anticipate, a few good years of economic activity from the stored water.
NSW DPIEW now regularly track groundwater extractions against the long-tern annual average extraction limits allowed in water sharing plans. This replaces the updates that we used to provide.
To report and status of groundwater regions is available from the Department's website.
Currently, extractions in the Lower Gwydir are well below limits although account water availability is high. The valley is deemed to have a medium risk to breaching limits but we see this as unlikely given the high surface water availability and low extraction to date. To
ensure the register has the most current usage information, please provide usage updates in iWas, where there is no telemetry automating your usage information.
NSW DPIEW are providing an update on groundwater levels in the Gwydir Valley on Tuesday, 15th March 2022 - 9:30- 11:30am. This
meeting is a face to face meeting in Moree at the Services Club.
Groundwater levels have generally fluctuated within acceptable levels of decline and recovery. However, in some localities, with
concentrated areas of pumping, groundwater levels are not able to fully recover before the following irrigation season starts. The
Department have more information on this and have provided a brief report accessed via the below link.
Join us for discussions on the Siphon-less tailwater backup design at Saunders Farming "Thuraggi Overflow" St George on Tuesday
8th March 2022. The field day is the second half of the CSD Cotton Management Field day.
The irrigation session will start at 10am with an update on the Water productivity benchmarking followed by an introduction to the system
from Craig Saunders. We will then have a panel session with Glenn Lyon, Lucas Wuersching, Andrew McKay, Grant Oswald and Malcolm
Gillies to discuss the design, the performance and some of the considerations for implementation.
We will be leaving Moree a 7am on Tuesday. Please contact Lou on 0427521498
Conditions are looking better in the Gwydir Valley for farmers and the environment. Natural river flows in 2020 and early 2021 started the process, with further rainfall, flows and flooding in 2021 and ongoing river flows in 2022. This has helped improved water
availability for farmers but has also encouraged the return of many water birds to the region this year, which is the most significant bird
breeding event since 2012. NSW and Commonwealth agencies have been monitoring the environmental condition of the region and have
provided updates following aerial surveys in December 2021 and January 2022 with five colonies of birds breeding and four of these
containing 1,000 to 2,000 nests each.
The bird breeding event, triggered from natural inflows is being supported by existing water sharing rules as well as water owned by
governments for environmental purposes. For more information on water for the environment visit our page
or the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office updates.
DPIEW have announced the latest water availability with a 40% allocation bringing this years total to 160.4%; general security accounts have a 150% limit and the environmental contingency allowance has 200%. All of these accounts are full, with 36,100 megalitres of
surplus unallocated in Copeton Dam.
The Dam remains steady at 96% with deliveries from some stream flows occurring, dam releases equalled inflows of 215,000
megalitres with around 64,000 megalitres ordered by licence holders during the time.
The Natural Resources Commission is undertaking their audit and review of the Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated Water
Sources 2012, due every 10-years. Previous reviews by the NRC have been controversial as in the 5-year review of the Barwon Darling (here)
resulting in significant changes including, active management, increased commence to pump thresholds and new restrictions following drought
periods called resumption of flow rules.
The key areas as guided by the NRC are:
Environmental outcomes: examples of how the plan rules provide for environmental outcomes.
Social outcomes: examples of how has having ‘a plan’ allowed for improve social outcomes for you, your region and community.
Economic outcomes: examples of the value of a licence, clear rules and a trading market.
GVIA will be preparing a submission which is due on 6 February 2022. You can provide your own submission or to see more see the NRC
Review.
Read More
The NSW Government finally issued an exemption and outlined the process to apply for water users who do not have enough network connectivity (are in a black spot) to install a telemetry unit on their compliant water meter site. This exemption comes after raising this issue
since 2017 and NRAR issuing letter of advice to water users who had not been able to be fully compliant because of this issue.
There are three steps to apply for this exemption, which allow water users or duly qualified persons to identify whether a site is within network coverage and to apply using the standardised form. Please ensure this exemption is added as an update to your file in
the DQP portal so that all agencies have access.
We are continuing to work through the remaining outstanding issues that require an exemption.
WaterNSW have eased Copeton Dam releases and they remain steady since 14 December, with 1,500 megalitres per day being released.
Flood warnings have ceased for the Gwydir Valley in response, with the tail of the released water expected to pass through all of the effluent creeks and streams now that flow rates are within the scope of operations of the river infrastructure.
For information on river heights, visit WaterInsights.
As flood waters continue to move along our river systems now reaching western communities such as Mungindi, Collarenebri and Walgett and
spill operations for major storages continuing, including the recent addition of Menindee Lakes. This flooding is occurring as the NSW
Upper House report into Floodplain Harvesting[1] declared the historical practice is legal and should be measured and
licenced.
“The community rightly expect, is that whenever industry has access to water, it is only to our share, that the limits are policed and that
it is very transparent, even in floods when there is water everywhere” she said.
“We agree and that is why we’ve supported the licencing of Floodplain Harvesting - a long-standing, historical form of take that
happens when rivers and our floodplains are spilling, so that all forms of take are consistently managed in our valley” she said.
“Our position was supported by the Upper House Committee report which highlighted the need for measurement of storages and our rivers to
properly account for water use and licencing to ensure all limits in state and Federal legislation could be achieved and monitored”.
“These are all key elements of the reform which the majority of stakeholders agree, it is what the community expects and should be
implemented state-wide” she said.
The Gwydir Valley is currently experiencing a once in a decade event with Copeton Dam filling and spilling, along with most rivers and
streams flowing naturally.
Zara Lowien, Executive Officer of Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association who represents water users in the valley said whilst it is rare to
see Copeton Dam this full and spilling, this signifies the region is at the start of the boom, of our historical boom and bust cycle here in
the Gwydir Valley.
“Copeton Dam filling and our rivers constantly flowing, as they have for nearly a year now, is exactly what happens here when it finally
does rain” she said.
“These conditions are a far cry from those a few years ago, when environmental water and high security deliveries were the only sources of
water keeping parts of our rivers flowing, while others just didn’t flow at all” she said.
WaterNSW advised releases from Copeton Dam have decreased to 5,000ML/day. Copeton Dam remains steady at 99% capacity, with all
accounts at their maximum allocation.
The water releases take 4-5 days before reaching Pallamallawa.
The Gwydir River at Yarraman remains at a minor flood level, with additional inflows below Gravesend combining with spill releases from
Copeton Dam. Keep an eye on the BOM weather warnings for any flood warning updates.
From 1 December 2021, along with the last stage of new metering requirements for the Valley the NSW Government also kicks of new reporting
needs.
These are for water users that use their work for multiple purposes and they require you to report the split in your licensed water and Basic Landholder Rights use, to ensure water is not deducted off your license. Without reporting, all the water use
measured will be considered licensed. The rules also include self meter reads for those water users who do not have telemetry. The
rules are explained here https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/metering-archive/new-reporting-rules
.
The rules are rather Draconian for water users that do not use water for irrigation but have a licensed attached to the work and therefore have the potential to irrigate, as you need to add up the water used each month and report it as BLR. We would encourage you to
write with your first report, complaining about these requirements as you are not an active irrigator but want to use the work for Basic
Landholder Rights. We did provide a submission at the time which was clearly ignored.
The attached approved form, which also has to be used is provided in the below link.
WaterNSW advised that releases from Copeton Dam were increased to 16,000 megalitres per day and again, to 20,000 megalitres per day to
account for recent rainfall upstream at Bundarra and with the current forecast.
These flows are now meeting with existing inflows and the the flows are larger and more sustained than the stream capacity of any
system, downstream (West) of Moree township being: the Lower Gwydir and Gingham, Mehi, Moomin and the Carole and Gil Gil systems.
Flooding in low lying areas or known chokes in these systems is likely as a result of these flows and that is before any further inflows. Flooding is already occurring along the Lower Gwydir, Gingham and Carole systems from earlier this week and local
inflows.
For a comparison of past floods, their heights and flow rates please visit our webpage History of Flooding, whcih was updated to reflect the
flood already this week.
For the first time since July 2012, Copeton Dam has reached 99% and WaterNSW have had to release water to make airspace for inflows, which
are the tail of the current event at Bundarra on the Gwydir River. This is only the fifth time since construction the dam has reached
this level.
Releases at this stage are 5,000 megalitres/day for the next few days, depending on the weather. WaterNSW will aim to maintain Copeton at
100%, no more or no less. These flows are well within the operational capacity of WaterNSW downstream near Moree.
All accounts associated with Copeton Dam are now full, with some unallocated water.
Releases are considered unregulated events and shared accordingly.
Follow and check in with river heights along the river via the BOM
river network here. WaterNSW
systems (WaterInsights - the preferred platform, WaterLive app and Realtime data) are overloaded and at times have delayed data or
cannot be displayed.
The Gwydir Valley is a distributary river system, which spreads our rivers and creeks across the Gwydir Floodplain which acts as a large
inland delta. Our rivers spill out naturally to these floodplains when they are full and spilling. Not every flood is the same, they
range in magnitude of height and duration and can occur from locally generated rain or from rainfall further upstream of the
catchment.
Recent flood warnings in December 2020 were predicted because of upstream rainfall and inflows. This was a short, sharp and small flow
which has created limited flooding. For example, the height at Pallamallawa was half of that experienced in 2011 and 2012 when the
entire north-west was in flood. This flow also didn't contain a lot of water but its peak flow rate at Pallamallawa of 33,000 ML/day was
still higher than the operating capacity of the regulator and cannot be managed. Rather this water flows naturally, unmanaged by
WaterNSW to the watercourse the lowest point of our inland delta and towards the Gwydir Wetlands.
DPIEW have updated the Metering Guidance Tool with a number of new questions to better guide you through the metering requirements. We recommend everyone step through this process to help them work out whether they need to call a Duly Qualified Person or not about needing a
meter.
Have your work approval and licence conditions on hand - you will need them to complete many of the questions. Remember to watch our videos via Vimeo https://vimeo.com/showcase/8853111 which step through how to find
these numbers and the information your need.
Copeton Dam is currently at 95% capacity with inflows still occurring from recent rainfall above the Dam - the dam storage levels can
be checked via WaterInsights.
Copeton only needs to get to 96% capacity before all licences have full allocations, meaning that at 100% capacity there is unallocated
water that sits until there is account space for it to be allocated.
However, for context, Copeton Dam has only reached 99% capacity for an extended period on four occasions since it was finished full
construction in 1976. Being 1978, in 1984, 1998 and most recently in 2012.
Please note, WaterNSW are not making airspace releases from Copeton Dam at this stage but this is occuring for Keepit Dam in the Namoi
Valley.
With minor flooding in the Gwydir Valley, WaterNSW has issued an update to the 9 November supplementary announcement, today the 12
November 2021, increasing access to 100% of allocation for those interested with updated pumping volumes provided.
Anyone who did not participate in the EOI earlier this week and would now like to participate must call WaterNSW to discuss, do not
just put in a water order you must email riveropsnorth@waternsw.com.au.
Reminder to place water orders via iWas or using the form and emailing water.orders@waternsw.com.au.
The BOM have revised the Flood Warning for the Gwydir Valley down to minor via their updates here.
Whilst the flood level has reduced. The flow rate in the Gwydir River is currently above the safe operating level of the
infrastructure at Tareelaroi Weir - this means that the gates are fully lifted, allowing the river to flow in its natural
direction which temporarily limits the ability for WaterNSW to direct flows down the Mehi River. That is why there has been a drop in
the Mehi River below the regulator late yesterday as the gates were required to be opened, the levels will rise with further water flows
and/or when WaterNSW can close some of the gates on the regulator.
River heights can be viewed via WaterInisghts
and selecting the Gwydir Regulated River, below find your location.
Contact WaterNSW if you have any further questions.
The Bureau of Meteorology have issues a flood warning for moderate to major flooding of the Gwydir and Mehi Rivers, for the weekend.
The rainfall activity is storm based and very difficult to predict but its important to keep watch of updates vis the SES
or the BOM websites.
For an assessment of past floods and their heights including the most recent events in December 2020 and March 2021, visit our webpage
History of Flooding. We will update this page with any new flood predictions if they occur.
In the interests of keep our staff and community safe at the busy and important time, our office in Moree remains temporarily closed given
the current COVID outbreak.
Members can call the office to arrange a teleconference or video conference meeting for any inquiries.
The NSW Government has announced an additional 4.8% increase in general security and environmental contingency accounts following
inflows into Copeton Dam. Copeton Dam is sitting at 86% capacity, and on average general security accounts have 135% in
accounts made up of 78.4% allocation provided this year plus carryover from previous years. General security accounts
have a maximum account limit of 150% this account limit is reached prior to Copeton Dam being at full capacity due to
unallocated water.
WaterNSW indicated during our recent Customer Meeting and River Operations meeting that any customer interested in supplementary water
was to contact the RiverOpsNorth@waternsw.com.au with ongoing unregulated flows downstream and limited
interest, they will not be making announcements until further notice.
Want to find our for yourself what the new NSW Metering Rules mean for you? The NSW Government is holding two virtual metering field
days
to help you understand the rules and what you need to do to be compliant.
You will be able to ask questions to a panel from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Water group, WaterNSW and NRAR
staff. Fee free to ask these questions when registering.
Metering suppliers will also be presenting information on their products and available to answer your questions.
Session
1
Thursday 28 October
Session1: 12:30pm – 3.00pm
Session
2
Friday 29 October
Session1: 12:30pm – 3.00pm
Copeton Dam is a 86% percent capacity and General Security allocations including for the ECA and environmental water holders for this
year equal 73%, including carryover there is on average 126% in accounts. This is a stark contrast to conditions 18-months
ago for our region and others. For all NSW northern valleys storages are on average at 83% of capacity, the central valleys
have 91% and the southern valleys on 94%. There actually isn't a lot of room for more inflows.
The NSW Government has released excess licenses in some water sharing plan areas of NSW under a controlled allocation. These areas
include the fractured rock and GAB groundwater water source areas within our region if interested.
This process sets a minumum price per megalitre and a total volume of unit shares available for each listed water source and/or zone.
The majority of licenses are being released in coastal areas following the water sharing plan processes in those regions.
Understanding the changes to the NSW Metering Rules for non-urban water users can be a challenge and often the information is spread across
a number of Department and industry sources. We have found, the most central point to visit is WaterNSW Metering page https://www.waternsw.com.au/customer-service/water-licensing/metering#stay
It has the three steps you should take and all the links to the forms, the rules and the Departments Metering Guidance tool which we
encourage you to use. But importantly, its WaterNSW who manage the implementation and integration of the new rules on the ground, they
collect information from your Duly Qualified Persons and they administer the licensing database if you determine you need to make
amendments. In most cases it is WaterNSW you will need to speak with about metering as they are the customer liaison group,
plus they have a customer hotline 1300 662 077.
It is this website that features heavily in our video series on metering.
When water availability is higher than requirements for critical needs, the WMA Act 2000 and local water sharing rules provide a framework
to share that additional water between industry and the environment. Allocations are the physical water that maybe provided under
these sharing rules. The volume of allocation made available to an individual is determined by the total volume available to be
shared. This volume is divided by the number of shares that individual is licenced for.
Water is allocated based on these principles and is not allocated to a specific crop. Individuals make the decision on what crop to grow
with the allocation they receive.
There is a range of different irrigated crops grown in the Gwydir Valley, including cotton, horticulture and lucerne. We are home to the
largest pecan farm in the Southern Hemisphere and one of Australia's largest juicing orange orchards. Farmers have even tried hemp,
it is not currently a viable option, but may be in the future.
The NSW Water Minister today announced the NSW Government will exempt up to 500 small water users who take water under a domestic and
stock water access licence from non-urban metering rules, fixing an inconsistency in the NSW Government’s metering policy . The
announcement details are accessed below.
Zara Lowien from the GVIA said while welcomed for some water users, the decision to not extend this exemption to
groundwater sources such as the Lower Gwydir and the NSW Great Artesian Basin, will mean the majority of the region's stock and domestic
groundwater works are still required to be metered in the Gwydir Valley. This means many lifestyle blocks on the outskirts of towns
like Moree and dryland farms still need a water meter by 1 December 2021. This is over-reach by the metering reforms which should
focus on water being actively used for irrigation and as such, the exemptions should be extended to these other water sources.
We are also calling on the NSW Government to prioritise solutions for land owners who hold a water access licenses but are not active irrigators before the deadline of 1 December 2021. Again a large number of lifestyle blocks have small licenses that are inactive for
irrigation but that may be used for stock and domestic or basic landholder rights, who without intervention are required to have a meter by
December 2021.
The NSW Select Committee Inquiry into floodplain harvesting has had an explosive start to public hearings this week with hearings due to
wrap up on Friday, 24th September with the NSW Water Minister.
Zara Lowien, from the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association said the next few days will be interesting as mainly stakeholders who are vocal
against the licencing proposal and irrigation in the northern valleys, present their cases.
“Since the drought we’ve seen floodplain harvesting which is water taken during a flood when rivers and streams are full and spilling
onto the floodplains, being criticised as the cause of all the problems with water management and the environment during the drought”.
“Everyone agrees current conditions are good – our rivers are flowing freely, with many storages including the Menindee Lakes full,
which is in stark contrast to the recent drought, when our rivers stopped flowing.”
“With many these mistruths blown out of the water and some stakeholders refusing to accept the real facts. Those destined to
undermine this process have fallen back on highly nuanced and often contradictory arguments on what is the long-term legal limit and
disputes on modelling results”.
“The analysis being used to support the claim that NSW is trying to update Cap without due process during this inquiry is not correct, nor
is the claim that Cap is being increased.”
“The analysis used to make the claims, isn’t even comparing apples with apples” said Mrs Lowien.
Food and fibre production in the northern Murray Darling Basin is worth more than $6 billion a year, according to a report by leading
Australian economic analysis company Macroplan. The report, commissioned by the Northern Valley Irrigators groups of which the Gwydir Valley contributed, sets out the value and flow-on benefits of investment in irrigated agriculture in the northern Basin.
“The report shows the economic and social value of irrigated and other agriculture in in the northern Basin,” explained Michael Drum, Executive Officer of Macquarie River Food and Fibre.
“Regional communities dominated by agriculture are circular economies, each sector relies on the other to be successful. Much of the
irrigated product both primary and secondary uses, goes to feeding a highly valuable livestock industry as well the food we eat and the
clothes we wear”.
Here is our third video in a NSW Metering Rules series - this is for active users, who want to work out if they need a meter and what
type of meter, but also who they contact.
This video goes through some examples, for groundwater users and surface water users using the NSW
Government Metering Guidance Tool.
It also then shows you how to find an approved expert to help provide you more specific advice, on what meter you may need and to install a
new one or check the one you have via the Irrigation Australia database
of Certified Meter Installers.
This video is available https://vimeo.com/610165753
Here is our second video in our NSW Metering Rules series - this is designed to help you make the administrative updates to your work
approval.
1. For users who are not active users for irrigation or do not have infrastructure, we cover the steps to mark your site inactive.
2. For users who want to just pump stock and domestic or basic landholder rights water, we explain how you can remove your WAL and change
the purpose of your work or just keep the works as they are but check if you need to install a meter.
3. For users who are active and there are differences between your on-farm infrastructure and the work approval, how to amend these.
You must not delay with undertaking these steps, there are price increases from 1 October 2021 for these applications.
This video is available via vimeo https://vimeo.com/609659644
Within the IPART pricing review details revealed the metering reform policy established by the NSW Government in 2019, is not meeting
its promised objectives.
“We’ve been watching the train-wreck that is the implementation and administration of the NSW metering policy and working on solutions, to
iron out barriers to compliance[1]” said Mrs Lowien.
“Detail in the attachments of the IPART review has highlighted the policy is also failing to meet expected efficiency or cost savings too”
she said.
“IPART has had to blend metering administration charges because it was going to be more expensive for customers to have telemetry ".
“The Government telemetry system is a complete farce, it’s not integrated properly within Government systems, water users cannot connect or
utilise the data easily and now, IPART have also exposed there’s no financial savings or benefits either” she said.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) NSW handed down their new pricing structure for water charges in NSW to start from 1
October 2021 with no good news for farmers, struggling to recovery from the drought and the reform costs for metering already.
“The details within the determination confirms that Gwydir water users will see significant pricing change increases across the valley for
the next four years.”
“The only water user to see a reduction in overall charges are inland groundwater users, largely due to cost shifting between agencies.”
“High security and unregulated users are the hardest hit with 46% and 66% increase in some charges respectively. General security and
supplementary users are not free from increases, usage charges for them increase 34%[1]” she said.
“There are also significant increases in administration charges through WaterNSW which the GVIA warn anyone with a water approval to be
aware of the increase” said Mrs Lowien.
The recent resource assessment has increased general security allocation to 69.3% for the Gwydir Valley. Copeton Dam is at 82%
capacity and rising.
A stark contrast to this time last year, when Copeton Dam was at 16% capacity.
Total water available for general security irrgators in Copeton is 496,000ML with 213,000ML for held environmental water accounts,
including the ECA. This water is in the bank, so to speak and can be carried over if it is not needed this year. All high
security and other essential supplies are 100% and fully secured for two years.
In a scathing investigative report released today [HERE],
NSW Irrigators’ Council found the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment-Water (DPIE-Water) and WaterNSW had failed to execute
their administrative and technical responsibilities effectively.
“The industry supports this reform, which requires water users to upgrade their meters to a new, world-leading standard,” NSWIC CEO Claire
Miller said.
“But irrigators are fed up with being blamed for non-compliance by deadlines while DPIE-Water and WaterNSW get away with glossing over the
scale and impact of their poor planning.
GVIA helped inform the report and has been advocating to various Department's now for years, to address these barriers.
Executive Officer Zara Lowien said "We've been collating and communicating these issues directly to government for years, trying to work constructively, encourage action and implement the reform".
"But now, water users are receiving NRAR advisory letters becuase the government has failed to provide them an approved device to
install".
"Its not good enough to tell us the market will respond or don't worry, just "evidence" your effort."
"Water users are sick and tired of providing "evidence" on multiple occasions, to multiple NRAR employees that don't even seem to speak to each other or keep this "evidence".
"Water users just actually want to be compliant but the government agencies are letting them down".
"Enough is enough, its time they step up if they want this reform to work" she said.
The NSW metering rules apply to all works and compliance will be assessed against your work approval - not what is in the ground and
whether you use it or not. If you do not actively use these works or do not have any infrastructure installed, you are not required to
have a meter.
Before a work will be tagged as inactive, YOU MUST demonstrate the work is not physically capable of taking water and REGISTER your work as
inactive. This is done through WaterNSW.
Registering your work inactive will ensure you avoid being non-compliant to these rules by the relevant due date; either 1 December 2020 for larger than 500mm sites or 1 December 2021 for all other sites. This applies to both surface and groundwater works.
The form required is vailable here https://www.waternsw.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/142628/Application-to-amend-approval-for-inactive-or-active-works.pdf
The realities of metering statistics are very different to the story being communicated by NRAR.
Valley based tracking of progress is available via NRAR and is presented on our new page below. Here we also capture the key barriers encountered by different users in these different categories. We thank everyone for their efforts to comply and despite some of the
media coverage, we encourage you to keep up the good work.
There will be significant challenges for Stage 2 - administratively, as well as in terms of resourcing with 7,601 istes in the northern
inland required to be compliant to the new rules by 1 December 2021. Please do not leave contacting a DQP if you are in this next
stage to the last minute.
WaterNSW would like to remind customers that supplementary water is available with unregulated inflows occuring downstream of Copeton
Dam.
These flows are providing water right along our river systems, the first 500ML/day are being delivered to the wetlands but any flows greater than that are being shared 50:50 between the environment and customers. WaterNSW indicated downstream tributary inflows greater than the minimum flow to the wetlands are being diverted away from this area where possible, unless ordered by customers. These rules and this operations, are enabling sharing of flows along our rivers and and beyond with more than 40,000ML flowing past Collarenbri from the Mehi alone this last month.
Copeton Dam has been rising since December 2020 since catchment wide rainfall began to fall with around 600GL of inflows over this time. This
rising trend is being followed right around NSW, with the current state-wide storage capacity at 74% (Copeton Dam just below the
state average at 63%).
However, percentages don't tell the whole story in the context of total water available around the state.
The northern basin has 71% availability equalling, 1,982GL of water, the central west is above the state average at 75% with 2,230GL of
water available and the souther basin also above the state average at 77% full has 8,876GL of water available. We set up a new page on our website to explore this here.
Irrigators argue NRAR's statement was misleading given some works fell into that category due to factors outside their control - such as
back-log in the supply and installation of government-approved meters and telemetry equipment.
Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) announcing they were taking enforcement action after statewide inspections found 45 per cent of
inspected pumps were still not fitted with compliant meters.
GVIA said: "Its hard to be compliant to new rules when in some instances there isn't an approved replacement meter available or if
your still waiting for it to arrive after ordering it. Many of these replacement meter jobs you cannot just buy a meter and stick it
in a pipe, they're custom built and designed and take significant planning and lead time.
We'd like to thank our local service providers for their perseverance with these new rules, your patience in trying to solve these
complex problems bought about by a poorly formed set of rules. We are grateful for all your effort for the industry so far. "
DPIE is currently seeking watercourse landholder input to develop business cases for the Lower Gwydir and Gingham Watercourses, Lower Mehi
River and Ballin Boora Creek.
Over the next few months they will be working with the local community to develop the business case. There will be a series of community
gatherings followed by local workshops to: discuss project objectives and opportunities, bring local knowledge and community needs into the
scoping of potential measures, create strategies for on-ground outcomes.
Landholders in the project area should have received information in the mail however if you are located in the project area and did not
receive a letter please contact us. The community gatherings from next Monday 19 July – 22 Thursday July 2021
The resource assessment for Copeton Dam up to 30 June 2021 was made available with the first allocation for the year being granted to
general security water users and the ECA of 11.1%. This bring the irrigation total water availability for this year, including
carry over to 264,400ML while environmental accounts hold 125,600ML.
Supplementary water announcements are also ongoing with inflows below Copeton Dam being shared 50:50 with the environment after
the first 500ML are provided to the Gwydir Wetlands.
NSW DPIE - Water announced starting allocations for the 2021-22 water year, on 1 July 2021.
All groundwater and surface water users received their 1ML per unit share allocation, OTHER THAN general security users who are likely
to receive a new resource assessment later this month and supplementary water users who received only 0.5ML per unit share. This
is the first time supplementary licences have been reduced below 1ML per unit share, and is in response to the recent disallowance
of the government's proposed regulations to reduce, measure and account for floodplain harvesting in our water sharing plan see our previous media release. General security carry over of 214,000ML from allocations previously will be available for this new year.
The Land's Olivia Calver reported: Gwydir Valley irrigators have hit out at the NSW Parliament after supplementary water users in the
Gwydir and Border Rivers were informed their allocations would be reduced, as an apparent consequence of floodplain harvesting regulations
being disallowed.
NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey appeared to confirm the supplementary water restriction was a result of the disallowance in a statement
from her office.
"Until floodplain harvesting licences and rules are implemented, any unmanaged growth in water use will have to be offset through reduced
allocations for supplementary water licences, in line with Water Sharing Plan rules," the statement read.
"The FPH policy and regs apply to all water users across NSW."
“You don’t rob Peter, the supplementary licence holder to pay Paul, the floodplain harvester. It’s not a fair and equitable way to
manage water and it’s not good policy”.
This decision is in response to the failure of Minister Pavey to gain NSW parliament support of regulations to enable the licensing of a
separate form of take, floodplain harvesting. Which in May 2021 the Legislative Council blocked regulation aimed at reducing floodplain
harvesting to legal limits and ensuring all water taken from the floodplains was measured and accounted.
GVIA, Executive Officer Zara Lowien said “we made it clear at the time that communities around the Murray Darling would be worse off
without a floodplain harvesting licencing framework. We are now seeing the consequences of that misguided decision” she said.
WaterNSW advises that Tareelaroi Weir on the Gwydir River is now operational.
Tareelaroi Weir was temporarily out of service as a result of the floods in late March.
With the Tareelaroi Weir gates now operational, water in excess of the environmental provisions of the Water Sharing Plan may be diverted to
the Mehi River.
Normal operations will resume, with downstream tributary flows expected to provide minor stock and domestic/riparian flows throughout the
valley.
DPIE Water provided the last resource assessment for the 2020/2021 water year, with a 0.9% general security allocation. This
brings the total allocation for this water year to 58%. Essential supplies are secured for two-years in advance.
The irrigation efficiency and automation research at Keytah this year has seen a large number of new innovations tested at a fild
level. At our field day this year we interviewed many of the research and commercial partners in this project. Over the next few
months we will be releasing these videos and loading them onto the GVIA website as well as the Smarter Irrigation for profit website. Here is one of the latest releases.
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