**MI CUSTOMER TELEPHONE SURVEY - COMPLETED**
Many thanks to all customers who were part of the random sample selected by the survey company I-view Pty Ltd to take part in the recent telephone Customer Survey on behalf of Murrumbidgee Irrigation. The Survey was undertaken to ensure that our service improvements are in line with our customers' needs and to learn from you / our customers how MI can improve our relationship with you and what services we may need to provide in the future. The information is currently being reviewed by Bartley Consulting and will be presented to the executive team shortly and will form part of our strategic planning going forward.

23 Jul 2008 - CE Appointed to new MDB Authority
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, today announced the appointment of a chief executive to the new independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Read more

21 Jul 2008 - Position vacant - Irrigation Systems Coordinator
We are seeking a motivated individual to coordinate water demand management of Murrumbidgee Irrigation’s major diversions and bulk water supply and reuse facilities. The role will involve: assessing water industry trends and implementing operating plans, managing water demand requirements and developing water demand forecasting and distribution control programs.

For an application package please download the following: advert; position summary; position description; application form; applicant guidelines; privacy statement. For specific position enquiries contact David Heffer on (02) 6962 0200. Applications should be forwarded to: Human Resources, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, PO Box 519, LEETON NSW 2705. Closing date: Wed 6 Aug 2008.

16 Jul 2008 - MI July Newsletter for customers now available
The July 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 on the MI website under the above menu heading CUSTOMERS/CUSTOMER NEWS. Details of how customers can register with our free fax/email service are also listed here as well as how to receive a copy of the newsletter if you are not a customer. Printed copies will be available from reception in both our Leeton and Griffith offices.

15 Jul 2008 - DWE announcement - no changes
DWE advised today that the water supply situation in the Murray, Murrrumbidgee and Lower Darrling River Systems had not improved and there is no increase in allocations for HS or GS entitlements in any of these river valleys. Read more

DWE did not issue their monthly communiquè for July.

11 Jul 2008 - New website for Govt water purchases
A new website has been set up to provide information on the Australian Government's water entitlement purchases.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said the new website contains information on purchases made as part of the Government's $50 million water entitlement buy-back to help return Murray-Darling Basin rivers to health.

"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

10 Jul 2008 - Usage Charge 2007/08 invoices sent out
MI advises that the final invoice for the 2007/08 season, the Usage (variable) charge invoice has been mailed to MI customers today. Included on the invoice is the General Security rebate if customers are entitled to this and/or any Transitional Credit customers may be entitled to irrespective of security type.

If there is a negative balance in the Amount Payable (GST-FREE) column, this means that your account is in credit. Customers are able to claim this credit from MI by EFT (electronic funds transfer) into your requested bank account. In order to validate the funds being returned to the correct account, customers will need to come into reception in either Griffith or Leeton MI offices and complete the EFT form. Please bring your Usage Charge invoice, bank account number and BSB number and account name, an ABN if it is a company account as well as some form of identification including a driver's licence/photo ID.

Any balances due from customers are paybale by the 11 August 08.
Please contact Customer Services if you have any queries after reading the information sent to you.

Also enclosed in the mailout is information on:
Options for reducing your fixed charges if you have multiple supply points or farms with MI.

8 Jul 2008 - Cultural and Heritage Management Plan for BBSW
Following on from the $28 million redevelopment of Barren Box Storage and Wetland (BBSW) completed in 2006, members of the local Aboriginal community have been working in collaboration with Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) to develop the Barren Box Cultural Heritage Management Plan. The plan will address cultural, social and educational issues of this culturally significant site for the Wiradjuri people. Read more

4 Jul 2008 - DWE Conversion embargo
DWE announced in their Media Release 1 July that an immediate embargo has been placed on any new applications for the conversion of GS to HS and vice versa in order to review the impacts of conversion. DWE had advised that this embargo would result in no further approvals pending a review of the impacts of conversion. MI is seeking further clarification from DWE on this particularly in relation to applications currently with DWE prior to the 1 July and will advise as soon as known.

MI customers who registered an expression of interest with MI reception/Customer Services pending the announcement of a 3rd possible application round of conversion should note that this was purely an expression of interest and not an application. As noted in the News entry below 19 May, a 3rd round was not being considered until the start of the 08/09 season and also dependant on MI customer interest. DWE have now embargoed any new applications pending their review.

2 Jul 2008 - Riverina Business Clinic
The Riverina Business Clinic is a new project that will assist the owners and managers of small businesses to recognise and consider the legal implications of the decisions they make. The Clinic aims to build the capacity of small business people to consider their operations from a legal perspective through the delivery
of a three step program that encompasses business diagnosis, active learning workshops and mentoring. The Riverina Business Clinic is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business. Read more


1 Jul 2008 - DWE Commencing allocations 2008/09 season
DWE announced today commencing allocations for NSW groundwater and river sources today.

For Murrumbidgee Valley users there is sufficient water to meet critical domestic needs of town water for the whole of 08/09 and deliver all carryover which has been increased to 30% for GS users. This will apply to carryover commencing in 2008/09 water year for the 2009/10 water year. There is not enough water available to make any allocations for either HS or GS at this time, however, licence holders have full access to water carried over from 2007/08. All water in accounts is tradeable from 1 July 2008. An immediate embargo has been placed on any new applications for the conversion of GS to HS and vice versa. MI is seeking further clarification from DWE on this and will advise as soon as known. Licences domestic and stock will commence at 50% of entitlement and town water authorities will also commence on 50% entitlement and advised to be extremely conservative with water use. Next announcement re allocations is due 15 August and then on the 15th of each month via the DWE Crirical Water Communiques.
Murrumbidgee Valley water users commencing allocations
Lower Murrumbidgee Groundwater source commencing allocations
Carryover increased to 30% in the Murrumbidgee Valley
NSW issues embargos to protect water in the MDB

For your information Murray Valley DWE announcements below:
Murray Valley & Lower Darling water users commencing allocations
Lower Murray Groundwater source commencing allocations


24 Jun 2008 - Wah Wah Irrigation District - Water trade rules
Following previous advice (26 May) to Murrumbidgee Irrigation customers, the MI Board has reviewed the rules of trade of water allocations into and out of the Wah Wah Irrigation District. These new arrangements have been made possible following a review of major factors affecting future resource availability and utilisation. Full details will be posted to this website prior to 30 June. Read more.

17 Jun 2008 - MI June Newsletter for customers now available
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 on the MI website under the above menu heading CUSTOMERS/CUSTOMER NEWS. Details of how customers can register with our free fax/email service are also listed here as well as how to receive a copy of the newsletter if you are not a customer. Printed copies will be available from reception in both our Leeton and Griffith offices.

16 Jun 2008 - DWE Information re Critical water planning
Click here for DWE Issue 15 Murrumbidgee Valley


30 May 2008 - Drought Info delivery for horticulture in the MDB
In partnership with industry and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Horticulture Australia Limited has developed a project “Drought Information Delivery for Horticulture in the Murray-Darling Basin” (MDB) as part of the Australian Government’s Irrigation Industries Workshop Programme. Contact Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council
(02 6964 2420) for more information. Brochure

28 May 2008 - MIA EnviroWise newsletter - Water works
To read the latest edition of Water Works click here.

27 May 2008 - MI Micro irrigation Workshops 1 Aug & 16 Oct
This field day/short course is ideally suited for those with a drip system already in place. Three main topics are looked at: monitoring, maintenance and scheduling. It is a hands-on course where a manual is supplied. The next workshops will be held on
1 Aug (Leeton) and 16 Oct (Griffith). Read more

26 May 2008 - Notice to Water Market participants
Murrumbidgee Irrigation advises customers that the rules in respect of trade of water allocations (temporary) and entitlements (permanent) are currently under review. Read more

26 May 2008 - SMART WATERING workshops
SMART WATERING workshops are scheduled for Thursday 23 October in Griffith (click here) and Thursday 30 October in Leeton
(click here).

MDB Irrigation Management Grant $20k
******MI CAN ASSIST WITH YOUR APPLICATION******
MI's MIA EnviroWise team, in consultation with Centrelink, is available to landholders for help in applying for the Centrelink Irrigation Management Grant.

MI's reception staff will be taking appointments for landholders to meet with MIA EnviroWise Officers to discuss their applications, please call Leeton 6953 0100 or Griffith 6962 0200 .

The Irrigation Management Grant can be used to pay for works to 'drought proof' irrigation farms, as well as paying fixed charges.

MI can provide documentation for fixed charges costs (Fixed Charges Summary for 2007/08 as mailed to all landholders early
Feb ) for landholders to 2009 (end date of Irrigation Management Grant funding availability), as well as documentation for proof of status as an irrigation farmer. This proof can also be supplied by landholders by producing previous water bills from MI.

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