CICL Update December 2025
Dear Members,
This newsletter provides Members with an update on key water issues affecting CICL and its Members’ businesses.
In this month's newsletter -
DCCEEW Allocation
Department of Climate Change Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
Allocation announcements
15/12/2025
High Security 95%
General Security 32%
Groundwater 100%
(Lower Murrumbidgee)
2025-26 CICL announcement and offers
Member benefit 10%
Additional water offer 7%
Water allocation update –NSW – NSW DCCEEW released a water allocation update on Wednesday 15 December 2025. It is here. The next allocation announcement is expected on Thursday 15 January 2026 at 2.30pm.
Waterways
T: 1300 850 105
Inter-valley trade (IVT)
Up-to-date information on the IVT is here.
You can register for WaterNSW IVT alerts here.
CICL Christmas New Year Operations
CICL Offices
Closed from 12 noon Wednesday 24 December until 8.30am Monday 5 January 2026.
Waterways
No changes with staff contactable on
M: 0427 544 269
Waterways http://www.colyirr.com.au
T: 1300 850 105
Annual transfers
Closed from 12 noon Wednesday 24 December until 8.30am Monday 5 January 2026
Contact details for CICL holiday season:
T: 6954 4003 – office hours up to 12 noon Wednesday 24 December and from 8.30am Monday 5 January
M: 0427 544269 – available all hours (Note: this phone does not receive SMS text messages).
WaterNSW Holiday Season operation:
WaterNSW will be closed from 5pm Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will re-open 8am Monday 5 January 2026.
WaterNSW will not be approving annual allocation trades during the closure period.
Water ordering
Members are asked to assist Water Operations by placing their orders as early as possible, to help with the accuracy of our forecasting (seven days in advance would be ideal!)
This will help:
Ensure all orders are fulfilled as accurately and efficiently as possible
Reduce the risk of supply shortfalls, restrictions and capacity sharing
We of course understand stormy weather and public holidays can affect watering schedules and we will have staff here to help throughout the holiday season (see details below).
In addition, if you have outlets in the same regulator pool please consider staggering starting times for these outlets. This will help the Total Channel Control System’s operation to maintain supply.
Flow Issues
Blow grass and aquatic weeds are expected to continue interfering with flow in our supply channels over summer. Please be on the look-out for these and report to Water Operations as soon as possible. Our team will address these as a priority, with our Maintenance Team and key contractors also on standby over the break.
Drainage water - Quality requirements and testing
Customers are reminded CICL’s drainage system is governed by its Environment Protection Licence (EPL). This means that water containing pesticide concentrations above the EPA notification level must not be discharged into the CICL drainage system.
As part of routine compliance activities, CICL monitors its drainage network and regularly samples water from customers’ drainage outlets. Please note penalties apply for unlawful discharges.
If you are unsure of the quality of on-farm water you wish to discharge, you can contact our team to request on-farm water testing.
If you become aware of the release of contaminated water into the drainage system, please contact Keith Thompson on M: 0439 084 569 to report this as soon as possible.
Staff News
CICL welcomes back Sam Casey, as a Channel Technician. We are pleased to have attracted Sam back to CICL after several years in Mackay. Sam fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Jaxon Chirgwin.
We will also welcome Tom Mannes to CICL in a new role Licensing and Compliance Co-ordinator. Tom is currently Regional Manager Southern NSW for Cotton Australia. Tom will commence with us in early February 2026 and work with Jenny McLeod, Policy and Compliance Manager (new title) to support our preparation for increasing compliance responsibilities and Commonwealth and State Water Reforms in 2026.
CICL staff who shared a 20-year anniversary with Kathie earlier this year. Left to right Bill Trengrove, Craig Mark, Kathie Okely and Eve Porter (retired).
Kathie Okely, Administration Officer who celebrated 20 years of service with CICL earlier this year, retired at the end of November. We wish Kathie well in her retirement and thank her for her service. Kathie’s friendly face and assistance will especially be missed by our Maintenance team and contractors.
Therese Chauncy Executive Assistant and Water Trade Officer – We recently celebrated Therese’s 20 years of service. Therese has worked in many customer facing roles with CICL in the last 20 years, including Land and Water Management Plan implementation, the on farm component of our Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program, implementation of the on farm irrigation efficiency program and most recently approval of annual (temporary) and permanent water trades.
We are hiring a Maintenance Officer - this is a great opportunity for a hands-on role in the agricultural industry. The successful applicant will help repair and maintain our world class assets and work outdoors as part of a dynamic team. For more information or to apply, the application details can be found here.
Applications close Friday 30 January 2026.
Water Safety
Channels are NOT for swimming in - Irrigation channels are not a safe place to swim, play or for water sports. As well as the known dangers like varying water depths, submerged objects, and snakes, channels have automated structures that can trap and drown you. These structures are remotely operated resulting in unpredictable flows. I remind you swimming and other water sports in channels are prohibited. Please ensure your children and visitors are aware of this.
Water safety for primary schools - CICL is pleased to continue its support for both our local schools to run intensive swimming programs for all primary students. Our goal is to encourage maximum participation in this program, but also for the program to reinforce our message that swimming in channels is prohibited because it is dangerous.
St Peters Swimming Program 2025
Water for the Environment Special Account Review
The final report for the third independent review of the Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) has been released here. (This is the funding stream for the 450GL of water for enhanced environmental outcomes and constraints relaxation).
Key points from the review are:
There is insufficient funding to purchase all the water to reach the 450GL target, with likely another $1.3 billion needed.
Current constraints funding will be inadequate to fund projects past the end of 2026.
Interestingly the review said it was “too early to conclude that payments to offset detrimental social and economic impacts on Basin communities” will be effective. It also states “even with a generously funded, well designed, governed and implemented program, it could be difficult to improve wellbeing in some communities through investments intended to diversify the local economy.”
The National Irrigators’ Council media release is here. Zara Lowein, CEO said “If we had another $1.3 billion to invest in the Murray Darling Basin is (water purchases) the priority?”
Commonwealth Water Minister announces further water buybacks
In November (before the release of the WESA review) Minister Watt announced a purchase program in the southern Basin for water offered to the government as part of Expression of Interest (EOI) I and Expression of Interest II (large parcels).
EOI I was open to CICL customers, the EOI closed 12 months ago and government’s announcement means if you expressed interest you may be contacted by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change Energy Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to sell water entitlements to the Commonwealth.
This announcement brings the volume the government is currently targeting from the southern basin to 300GL, with 248 GL of this from the EOIs.
National Irrigators’ Council responded with the following media statement here.
National Irrigators’ Council has also released an analysis of the 450GL here. In addition to making 11 recommendations, the report finds:
The water purchased under the “450GL” program is additional to what is required to achieve the Basin Plan Sustainable Diversion Limits.
The water cannot be physically delivered through rivers to intended effect, has low environmental utility, is not aligned with the MDBA’s current science on environmental priorities and does not represent value for money.
An independent review of program outcomes is needed to inform current and future investment decisions to enhance environmental outcomes.
Greater environmental outcomes could be achieved if funding was redirected to community-supported constraints management, and complementary measures.
CICL Resilient Rivers Application
Our Resilient Rivers Application for water efficiency projects did not receive funding from the Commonwealth. We will now progress with cost-benefit analyses to determine which of the potential projects are viable for CICL to fund internally.
Sustainable Yields and MDBA Outlook Released
As part of the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Basin Plan review it has released the Sustainable Yields report here and the MDBA Basin Outlook Report 2050 here.
The expectation of the future being hotter and drier is sobering reading, however, the MDBA Chief Executive, Andrew McConville stressed in a recent conversation with CICL the outlook assumes no adaption, and we know that farmers and government have been adapting in response to a changing climate for decades. The MDBA media on release of the Outlook and Sustainable Yields says:
“This isn’t a story of decline — it’s a call to keep preparing, adapting and transitioning,” Mr McConville said.
“Basin communities and industries have been adapting to our changing climate for many years, the Basin Plan gives us a foundation for doing exactly that,” Mr McConville said.
MDBA Leadership Summit
CICL was fortunate to have two staff attend the recent MDBA Leadership Summit, Jenny McLeod as chair of National Irrigators’ Council and Emily Hibbert, Grant Latta Scholarship recipient as an emerging leader. The Summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the Basin. It provided an update on the work the MDBA has completed and its approach to the Basin Plan review. Key observations from our attendees were the next version of the Basin Plan must be about outcomes for the environment and community, not just about adding more water.
The Summit was an important opportunity to start talking about solutions to challenging issues such as limited progress on constraints relaxation and the looming shortfall in the government sustainable diversion limit adjustment mechanism (SDLAM) projects.
Jenny and Emily both reported a need for people with “lived experience and grounded knowledge of the Basin” being included in these forums.
Left to right Emily Hibbert (CICL), Andrew McConville Chief Executive MDBA, Jenny McLeod (CICL) and Zara Lowein CEO National Irrigators’ Council.
Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed (SWIOID)
The Commonwealth Government (DCCEEW) has started a review of the SWIOID which will look at ways to enhance the health of the upper Murrumbidgee River.
The structure for the review is complex and includes an Independent Panel, a technical expert group, and three advisory groups. Members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group irrigation interests include Jenna Bell (Murrumbidgee Private Irrigators) Brett Jones (former CEO of Murrumbidgee Irrigation) Tom O’Malley (NSWIC Policy Officer) and Jenny McLeod (CICL). Further information is here, including DCCEEWs issues analysis here and the Independent Panel’s Issues Consultation Report, with submissions due on 13 February 2026.
Downstream water users are concerned about the impact of any changes in Snowy Hydro’s releases which reduce the volume available to general security water entitlements. The timeframe for completion of this work is June 2026.
Water Ministerial Council Meeting
met on 12 December, the Communique is here. The key points to note include an Inland Water Target for First Nations in the Closing the Gap agreement.
Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council December 2025
The Murray Darling Basin Water Ministers also met on 12 December and their Communique is here. The Ministers did a lot of noting but they did agree on three high level principles for the future direction of the Basin Plan.
Principle 1: Deliver positive environmental, economic, social and cultural outcomes in a changing climate.
Principle 2: Implementation based on partnerships, across government, industry and communities.
Principle 3: Implementation that is transparent, simple, has integrity and provides certainty.
One interesting comment in relation to 450GL was different perspectives were expressed around the ways to achieve the target.
As is the comment on the Sustainable Diversion Limit shortfall Ministers noted the MDBA’s current estimated shortfall range of 255GL to 355GL in the SDLAM and discussed the need for a strategic approach to further recovery of environmental water and the response to projects not completed by 31 December 2026.
IPART WaterNSW Pricing Determination
IPART commenced its review of WaterNSW prices in late Ocotober, further information is here. We made a submission supporting IPART’s review of cost shares between customers and government and recommending IPART set prices from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028 based on the current prices plus CPI only.
IPART is expected to release a draft determination in March 2026.
Groundwater users
Customers using groundwater for irrigation may be eligible for the NSW Telemetry Uplift Program. This program subsidises the intallation of telemetry.
Groundwater users are encouraged to connect with Murrumbidgee Groundwater Inc. CEO Jenna Bell ceo@mgi-mpii.org.au. Murrumbidgee Groundwater Inc, is able to support its members with understanding both the metering requirements and rules in the Water Sharing Plan for the Murrumbidgee Alluvial Groundwater Source 2020. You could also reach out to Jenna to be added to her newsletter list.
As many of CICL’s customers are relying on groundwater this year to augment their surface water supply, it is important you are across the rules in the water sharing plan, including conditions for trade as well as the metering requirements.
In addition, we understand approval times for some annual trades are delayed as WaterNSW assess the impact of the trades on third parties.
Groundwater users should also be aware of the recent changes to the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW) because of the Water Management Lesiglsation Amendment (Stronger Enforcement and Penalities Act) 2025. NSWIC provides its perspective on the changes here.
WaterNSW IVT Increases and Holiday Period
WaterNSW released an update to the operation of the Murrumbidgee IVT during the holiday period. This update is here. Important points to note are the IVT account balance will be updated on Friday 9 January at 9.00am.
WaterNSW is currently delivering IVT water at Balranald and Darlot, with delivery continuing in January.
Conclusion
Thank you to members who attended the 2025 Annual General Meeting, the Board and management appreciated your inquiring questions and contribution.
Please note the information in our Operations Update, and aim to keep on top of your irrigation demand.
Please note the short window where approval authorities (CICL and WaterNSW) will not be approving annual trades during the Christmas and New Year period. This means customers need to secure sufficient water in their accounts to cover irrigation water use over the Christmas / New Year break.
Next year will be another important year in water with the Basin Plan review being completed and the review of the Commonwealth Water Act commencing, as well as the SWIOID review. CICL and the advocacy groups we support (National Irrigators’ Council and NSWIC) are focussed on ensuring the interests of our customers are well represented and we will continue to seek constructive solutions which do not erode general security water entitlements’ reliability.
On behalf of CICL management and staff I wish you and your families a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
Julian Speed
CEO
