*****Convenient on-line (phone & web) water ordering *****
due for rollout 2009/10 season

5 June 2009 - Invitation to Tender-Provision of Audit Services
Suitably qualified persons or firms are invited to submit Tenders for the provision of external audit services to Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd: Advert; Tender Specifications. Tenders close Mon 6 July 2009.

1 July 2009 - MI Permanent Transfer Applications
MI has established arrangements for permanent transfer applications that are in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. These arrangements are issued so that parties with outstanding applications can finalise their preparations ready for lodgement. However to ensure adequate notice, interested parties are advised that although these arrangements will be effective from the 1st of July,
applications will re-open from Monday July 20. Read More
External Permanent Trade 2009/10

1 July 2009 - DWE Water Allocations
DWE today announced high and general security licence holders will only have immediate access to 80% of water carried over in 2008-09. All available water in accounts is tradeable from 1 July 09. Read More
DWE 2009-10 NSW Water Trade Rules Read More
DWE Groundwater allocations for Murrumbidgee Read More
DWE Town Water Restrictions Read More

1 July 2009 - CSU July Water Seminar
Charles Sturt University has guest speaker Prof Dr Nic van de Giesen from the Netherlands hosting a seminar on "The hydorological model of everywhere". Friday 24th July, Wagga. Read More

29 June 2009 -Position Vacant - Technical Maintenance Co-ordinator
See "People & Careers". Applications close: Tues 7 July 2009

19 June 2009 - Irrigators welcome NSW infrastructure investment
The NSW Irrigators Council has welcomed the Commonwealth's announcement that the $650m Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Investment Program is now open for applications. Andrew Gregson says spending on infrastructure is a sensible way of addressing the needs of the MDB. “We’ve maintained all along that infrastructure investment provides the best outcome for all parties – it provides environmental water whilst maintaining the productivity that supports local economies, communities and jobs" . Read More

18 June 2009 -Position Vacant - Business Systems Analyst
See "People & Careers". Applications close: Fri 10 July 2009

17 June 2009 - Water market & termination fee rules signed
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today announced that she has signed the water market (transformation) rules and termination fee rules applicable in the MDB. Read More

15 June 2009 - MI June Newsletter for customers now available
Each month we issue a newsletter summarising the season and current water issues. The June newsletter has been emailed and faxed to those customers who have registered their details on the MI Quick Contact List. Old issues will also be available under the above menu CUSTOMERS/INFORMATION. Details on how to register to receive a copy are also on this page. Printed copies are available from reception in both our Leeton and Griffith offices.

15 June 2009 - DWE-Water allocations remain unchanged
There have been promising rainfalls across the Murrumbidgee catchment during early June, but they have not generated significant inflows to major storages. Allocations remain unchanged.
Read More: DWE Critical Water Planning Communique Issue 24

12 June 2009 - Tender- Hire of trucks and heavy plant
Griffith / Leeton. Earthwork contractors are invited to register their interest in carrying out works for MI to 30th June 2010.
Tenders close at 3:30pm 10th July 2009
Enquires: Jody Rudd (02) 6962 0284
Advert; Conditions; Offer; Subcontractor Statement; OH&S Requirements; MI Safety Handbook

11 June 2009 - Senator Wong's speech-Vic Farmers Fed AGM
Senator Wong spoke at the Vic Farmer's Federation AGM about Government achievements in the MDB. "Our challenge is to put the future of the Basin onto a sustainable footing, and that requires some tough decisions." she said. She spoke on the MDB Action Plan, the Basin Plan, infrastructure investments and water purchases. Read More

10 June 2009 - MDB Drought Update - disturbing snapshot
Today’s MDB Authority Drought Update presents another disturbing snapshot of the critical situation in the MDB. “May inflows into the Murray were the third driest on record at only 90 billion litres, well below the May average of 390 billion litres. It shows the MDB has experienced its 9th consecutive autumn with below average rainfall. This confirms the need to take action to tackle the impacts of climate change and help Basin communities and irrigators prepare for a future with less water." Senator Wong said. Read More

10 June 2009 - Purchase of Booligal Station
The government today announced the purchase of Booligal Station on the Lachlan River in NSW.  The Commonwealth provided $1.597 million to purchase the 5,936 hectares of land, as well as 472 unit shares of General Security water licences. The purchase will ensure the long-term conservation of the nationally recognised Booligal Wetlands. Booligal Station will be incorporated into the NSW National Parks system.  Read More

5 June 2009 - Vic water trading deal a cap by any other name
The NSW Irrigators Council is underwhelmed by the deal announced today by the Vic Premier and the Prime Minister. Under the deal, the Commonwealth expects to purchase 160 gigalitres prior to the 4% annual cap being hit, with a further 300 gigalitres over 5 years. “Let’s put this in context – 297 gigalitres has already been purchased from NSW over a period dramatically less than five years,” CEO Andrew Gregson said. Read More

5 June 2009 - New Commonwealth/Vic Agreement on water
The Aust and Vic Governments have agreed on landmark reforms to return more water to the environment in conjunction with Victoria’s irrigation modernisation program. The new agreement will enable the Australian Government to acquire 300 billion litres over the next five years from 2008/09, over and above those purchases already permitted under Victoria’s 4% annual cap. The Aust Gov has also committed $300 million towards a grants program to assist farmers in southern Basin States to improve on-farm efficiency to save more water for the environment. Read More

1 June 2009 - First meeting of new MDB Authority
Minister Wong welcomed today's first meeting of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority as a key milestone in the 92-year history of managing the water resources of Australia’s food bowl. “For the first time we now have a single agency responsible for planning for the integrated management of water resources across the whole Basin. The new Authority’s main function is to develop a Basin Plan that will, for the first time, set a long-term sustainable limit on the use of both surface and groundwater in the MDB. Read More

1 June 2009 - NSW Minister acts to share water purchase
Water Minister Phil Costa today said NSW will act swiftly to balance water buyback across Murray-Darling Basin States, including an embargo on future trades of environmental water until a better balance can be struck. Read More

28 May 2009 - Twynam water purchase too much for NSW
The NSW Irrigators Council says this State has now taken too much of the burden of readjustment in the Murray Darling Basin. Reacting to the news that the Twynam Group has sold its 240 gigalitres of entitlement to the Commonwealth for $303m, the Council’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Gregson says NSW has more than done its fair share. Read More

22 May 2009 - Reducing Water Charges - Amalgamation of Landholdings
From 2009-10, MI customers can apply to amalgamate their landholdings to reduce annual fixed water charges. Amalgamation reduces Farm Connection charges to one charge and allows bulking up of Facilities Charges. Read More

14 May 2009 -Constitutional Change RESULTS
A General Meeting and Class Meetings were held yesterday to vote on proposed changes to the MI Constitution. Results

12 May 2009 - Info on Trade & Access Rules for 2009/10
MI Commentary on Trade & Access Rules for 2009/10

27 March 2009 - Season close end April
Following consultation with growers and commodity groups, MI is planning to close the 2008/09 irrigation season from the 23rd April 2009. Now that large area customers have completed summer crops, the current continuous supply service will be suspended and a rostered service put in place to help reduce system losses as well as continue to meet horticulture requirements. Read More

- New website for Govt water purchases
A new website has been set up to provide information on the Australian Government's water entitlement purchases. "The website includes aggregated data about the purchases, including volumes, entitlement type, amount spent and water source," Senator Wong said. Read more
Federal Government website link - Government water purchases


Q & A info sheet on MDB IMG programme Click here
Link to DAFF website/MDB information Click here
MDB IMG Application form from Centrelink Click here