National environment listing in MDB, just words not action
15 January 2026, Canberra, ACT: Today’s announcement to list parts of the Murray Darling Basin floodplains as “critically
endangered” under the updated Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) adds another layer of complexity to
already heavy regulation in the Basin – and will achieve little without real investment in addressing delivery constraints and major threats
like carp.
The GVIA are currently looking for a Project and Policy Support Officer.
The project officer role would entail working on behalf of and in partnership with the GVIA Members to deliver requirements as detailed in projects.
The policy support role will entail supporting the EO in the review and analysis of regulatory policy and provide support to Members in the interpretation and application of policy.
The role would also support the EO in communication of water related issues to the wider community.
More detail are available in the attached position description.
To apply or arrange to discuss the position please email the EO on gvia@gvia.org.au
The Gwydir AWD released on the 12th Jan 2026 indicated that there was an estimated 6 GL of inflows into Copeton Dam and 2 GL from the
downstream tributaries during Dec 2025, and therefore no allocation increment to General Security (GS) or ECA licences.
The average GS account balance is 115%, while the ECA account balance is 180%.
During December, total essential supply demand was about 4.9 GL, and GS usage was approximately 29.9 GL. Around 6.9 GL of EWA delivered
during this period.
More information is available on the department website
In partnership with the NSW Government, TAFE NSW has launched a free, 3-hour online course designed to fast-track qualified tradespeople
into becoming duly qualified persons (DQPs). DQP's can:
install and validate non-urban water meters
ensure installations meet compliance and safety standards
offer ongoing servicing and maintenance
support sustainable, responsible water management.
The following trades can apply: irrigation technician, plumber, instrumentation specialist, hydrographer, engineer,
fitter-welder, closed conduit meter manufacturer, electrician, local intelligence device manufacturer, or telecommunications
technician.
Mallowa: commenced 5 Dec 2025 and are planned to continue through to April 2026. Lower Gwydir: commenced 3 Oct 2025 finishing shortly after 3 months of watering. Gingham: commenced 1 Dec 2025 at of 50 ML/d increasing to 100 ML/d (maximum through raft) through to Boyanga Waterhole. Flows likely
to cease Feb 2026. Whittakers Lagoon: Is expected to fill early in the new year. Mehi River: Lower Mehi fish deliveries commenced 13 Dec 2025 connecting with the Barwon River to create local fish movement
between the rivers. Barwon River: CEWH and NSW CPHR are planning releases from the Border Rivers and Gwydir to support base flows in the Barwon between Mungindi and Walgett commencing in Dec, likely continuing for 3-4 weeks. Flows from the Gwydir will be via both the Mehi and the
Carole – details are still being determined in conjunction with WNSW river operators.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
On behalf of the Committee of the GVIA I would like to wish all our members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you to you all for your support of the GVIA.
I look forward to working with you in 2026.
Cheers
Lou
The NSW Department have acknowledged that the current clause 57 currently doe While the intent of the rule hasn’t changed since 2004, we
acknowledge that the rule as written hasn’t been implemented by WaterNSW since the 2022 amendment, and further it appears that the current
clause wouldn’t operate as intended. They have amended the Access Licence Dealing Principles Order such that it effectively puts the
restrictions to temporary trade under clause 57 (1) on hold until the end of May 2026. This is intended to provide further time to examine
and address this problem. The intention is to revisit the rule in the plan to find a longer term resolution in 2026.
The NSW Government has announced two funding opportunities
1. Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program
This program supports projects that enhance productivity, sustainability, and innovation across agricultural industries.
Learn more and apply here: Agriculture
Industries Innovation and Growth Program | NSW Government
2. Aquaculture Industry Development Program
Designed to accelerate growth and innovation in aquaculture, this program provides funding for initiatives that strengthen industry
capability and sustainability.
Full details and guidelines: Aquaculture
Industry Development Program Guidelines | NSW Government
There is no allocation increment to general security (GS) licences in the Gwydir Regulated River Water Source this time. The GS account balance is about 619 gigalitres (GL), or an average 121% of entitlement.
The environmental water allowance (EWA) balance is about 88 GL, or an average of 195% of entitlement.
As of 30 November 2025, Copeton Dam received an estimated 9 GL of inflow, with downstream tributaries contributing a further 4 GL.
During November, total essential supply demand was about 3.4 GL, and GS usage was approximately 5 GL. Around 1 GL of EWA delivered during
this period.
MOREE Plains Shire Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to adjust the Moree to Sydney flight schedule.
The proposal is to remove the Saturday service, and put on an evening service on Tuesday. There is no proposal to change the existing time
of the Tuesday morning flights which get to Sydney between 11:30 and 12:00.
The proposed schedule is available
here
We have recently determined that there are some components of the Gwydir WSP that are restricting temporary trade of General Security
entitlements. Specific advice can only be determined via an application to WaterNSW. In general the assessments will entail the following:
The rule 57 (1) of the Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Regulated River Water Source 2016 states that a temporary trade is
prohibited if it increases total allocation in the segments specified in table A of rule 55. Increase in allocation means buying water
into those segments in Table A.
That means, for temporary trade rule 57 (1)
WaterNSW first look at where are the linked works of the buyer's access licence. If at least one linked work is in those segments
specified in Table A, then rule 57 (1) is applied.
If none of the buyer's linked works are in any of those segments (table A), then WaterNSW proceed with the rest of the assessment,
because there is no risk of total allocation increase in any of the segments from Table A.
If WaterNSW needs to apply 57(1) rule, they also look at the seller's licence linked works to see where the water could come from
(other segments, same segment, mix), unfortunately there is no mechanism for WaterNSW to check where the seller is transferring the
water from, if the seller licence has multiple works in different segments.
Applying the rule 57(1) means calculating the total allocations of the buyer's segment from Table A and adding the proposed trade amount.
If the calculated amount is below the permitted allocation amount in Column 2 of the Table A, they move on to the rest of the
assessment, however if the calculated amount is higher, then the transfer will be refused.
Farmers in the Basin are calling on the Federal Government to escalate water security for agriculture as a priority, following the findings of the Basin Outlook,
published today which echoed findings from the National Climate Risk Assessment.
“All climate change scenarios will have significant risks on water security for Australian agriculture,” said NIC CEO, Zara Lowien “farmers
are adapting every day to changing climate, but can only adapt so far, water security is critical”.
“The Outlook modelling scenarios found the Basin will be both wetter and drier, with more extreme conditions with varying impacts and level
of uncertainty around the Basin.”
“It is absolutely important that we consider climate change as part of the Basin Plan Review, but this needs to be fit for purpose,
recognising the uncertainty, and extremes to both wet and dry.”
“We are concerned the document has over-generalised headlines, but when you look at the detail, there are a lot of unknowns and
uncertainty,” said Ms Lowien. “That’s not to dismiss the work, rather that when Government responds to it, they need to consider its
limitations which are very evident in the report.” NIC Media release available
here
