GWYDIR VALLEY IRRIGATORS ASSOCIATION
The GVIA currently has ground water available for temporary trade. Please email Lou at gvia@gvia.org.au if you have any questions.
WaterNSW have offered to assist members who are Floodplain Harvesting customers to better understand their obligations under the NSW FPH
Policy.
WaterNSW have offered informal one on one sessions, by appointment so that each customer can discuss their specific concern and
queries, and address any issues that may exist. This is a practical step by WaterNSW to try and help ensure everyone is ready to go when we
get the next FPH opportunity.
The planning is for the week of the 20 July either in Moree (at the GVIA office) or
possibly at other sites if needed.
Please contact gvia@gvia.org.au to arrange a meeting. Please include details as shown below such
as Registration of Interest (ROI’s) and Work Approvals so we can start to plan sessions.
Please register by the end of the week 3 July Thank you
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The MDBLP brings together people from across the Basin who are ready to work beyond their own interests and contribute to strengthening
understanding of how the Basin’s water resources are managed.
This is a leadership experience designed for people who care about the future of the Basin and the communities, industries and water
dependent ecosystems it supports.
You will join a diverse cohort of people from across regions, sectors and backgrounds.
Together, you will build the skills, relationships and mindset to work through complexity, navigate difference and take action where it
matters most. This includes engaging your communities, supporting informed dialogue about water use, and helping educate Australians about
the Basin’s water resources and the pressures they face .
Social Media on the
program
WaterNSW is making releases from Copeton Dam to target flows at Tyreel Weir in the Gwydir River. The expected peak flow at the site is about
100 ML/day from 30 May 2026
Additional information is available in the link
Classification of works for FPH in the WaterNSW customer portal cannot yet be completed correctly.
The appropriate classification for all active works included in a FPH entitlement is Constructed. Unfortunately the
customer portal does not have this as an option yet.
Please register on the portal, but please wait until it is updated to include the Constructed classification before classifying works associated with your FPH entitlement.
In Summary:
1. Storage Measurement - For approval holders who elect storage measurement, each active storage used to take FPH water will require
metering. Each of these storages needs to be classified as constructed.
2. Point-of-intake measurement - For approval holders who elect point-of-intake measurement, each pipe or pump that is used to take FPH water require metering. Each of these pipes or pumps needs to be classified as constructed
3. Any other work on the statement of approval that is used to convey FPH water can also be classified as constructed. For example, channels, internal lift pumps, pipes, regulators or block dams*. These works can be classified as constructed and not require
metering
as the FPH rules specify only storages or point-of-intake require metering.
We are working with DCCEEW and WaterNSW to get the classifications distributed to you and the portal updated as quickly as we can.
In May the GVIA completed our submission to the NSW connectivity program.
We have significant concerns about this program and the implications it has for members and the communities we live in.
The concept of connectivity should not be pursued by NSW in isolation from Queensland. This is a whole of basin concept and should be
facilitated by balanced conversations with the MDBA.
GVIA members will be provided update in the coming weeks.
The GVIA recently completed a submission for WaterNSW pricing to IPART. Our overall requests were as follows:
1. GVIA supports a 5% annual price cap (plus inflation), consistent with IPART's WAMC pricing decision and to balance affordability pressures facing irrigators already under significant net margin strain.
a. We do NOT support the proposed 10% increase.
2. A fundamental review of WaterNSW's operating model, regulatory framework and funding arrangements should be undertaken during the draft 3-year price determination period.
3. No further WaterNSW pricing proposal(s) or IPART determination(s) be undertaken until the review is completed.
Included is a link to the NSWIC may
newsletter.
The topics covered in the newsletter include;
FPH compliance update and NRAR media
IPART pricing review
Northern NSW connectivity program
Easements inundation Bill and Changes to water take: attestation requirements
Environmental flows are currently being released targeting the Gingham. These will last for approximately 6 weeks, or until the Gingham waterhole has filled.
The embargo has been temporarily lifted as the upper
Lakes at Menindee are above 250 GL
The WSP states under Clause 51: Taking of water under floodplain harvesting (regulated river) access licences
(3) The Minister must not announce that the taking of overland flow water is permitted if the volume of water stored in Menindee Lakes
Storage is less than 195 gigalitres.
This means that if your works approvals are fully compliant you are free to access FPH entitlement.
The WSP can be accessed here.
On Monday the NSW government released their "Non -urban metering Stage 2 Regulation amendments" for Public Exhibition.
There will be a webinar on proposed changes on 3 June 2026 – click
here to learn more and register.
The public exhibition perior will close at 10am on Monday 15th June 2026.
Attitional information is available on the department website.
The main area of concerns is associated with the introduction of a requirement for access licence holders whose access licence has
3,000 or more unit shares or ML at the commencement of the water year to attest by 30 September to the volume of water taken in the previous
water year. We cannot support this regulation as we see it as unjustified and are actively working on this aspect of the draft
regulation.
I suggest members have a look at the fact sheet and that they attend the webinar.
The Easement Inundation Amendments went through NSW parliament this week, coming into effect on Monday the 18th May 2026.
Water NSW has provided the following information.
"We recognise the potential for impacts to some landholders in the Gwydir, and are committed to operating
in good faith and providing adequate advance notification of any future environment water releases that may
affect landholders.
The environmental water holders will also continue to liaise with potentially impacted landholders, and
provide information on the extent, timing, duration and purpose of their watering events.
To receive notifications from WaterNSW, please sign up to receive ‘environmental water release’ alerts through our Early
Warning Network (EWN) platform. "