CICL Update - The Main Channel October 2026
Dear Customers,
This newsletter provides Customers with an update on key water issues affecting CICL and its Customers’ businesses.
In this month's newsletter -
CICL AGM
The twenty seventh Annual General Meeting of members of CICL will be held at the Coleambally Community Club, 3 Falcon Road, Coleambally, on Thursday 29 October 2026 starting at 8:30 am.
The notice of meeting and Annual Report have been mailed to members, and the Annual Report is on our website here. The 2026 AGM is a face-to-face meeting, and a quorum of 20 active members is required. Members are encouraged to attend.
The Ordinary Business includes among other items the reappointment of Craig Perkins for a further three-year term as a Member Director and a request for members’ endorsement of the Board’s nomination of Sharon Smith to the position of Independent Director for a further three-year term.
CICL is bringing a series of proposed changes to the Rules of CICL to members at the 2026 AGM. The changes will be considered in the form of two special resolutions, which are included in the Notice of Meeting that has been sent to all members. The detailed/long explanations for the changes, and where applicable their effect, are provided on CICL’s website –Governance — Coleambally Irrigation
CICL will hold an information session on the proposed CICL Rule changes on 20 October 2026 @ 8:30am. See flyer for details.
Info session on proposed Rule Changes
DCCEEW Allocation
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
Allocation announcements
01/10/2026
High Security 95%
General Security 45%
Groundwater 100%
(Lower Murrumbidgee)
2026-27 CICL announcement and offers
Member benefit 12%
Additional water offer 4%
Water allocation update –NSW - DCCEEW released a water allocation update on Thursday 1 October 2026t 2026 found here. The next allocation announcement will be on Thursday 15 October 2026 at 2:30pm.
Inter-valley trade (IVT)
Up-to-date information on the IVT is here.
You can register for WaterNSW IVT alerts here.
Water Operations Update
CROP FORMS
To assist with forecasting water deliveries for the season, please let us know your plans for 2026/27 summer crops.
To ensure we have the latest details of your crop types and areas, please submit a new or updated crop form.
Crop forms are available from the CICL office or on the CICL website here.
If you need assistance, please contact Water Operations via phone –
8am – 4pm: 02 6954 4003
After 4pm: 0427 544 269
ENTRY TO LAND PROCEDURE
CICL has introduced a new Entry to Land Procedure to provide a consistent, safe and respectful approach when staff or contractors need to enter private properties for operational, maintenance or compliance activities. This may include reading water meters, monitoring groundwater, inspecting or repairing infrastructure, investigating water quality concerns, or responding to urgent incidents involving water delivery, public safety or the environment.
The procedure emphasises giving appropriate notice, keeping customers informed, acting professionally and safely, respecting property, livestock and farming operations, and minimising disruption or damage. Customers can assist by keeping their contact details up to date and advising CICL of any hazards or biosecurity requirements before access is required. For more information, contact enquiries@colyirr.com.au or call (02) 6954 4003.
CICL SCHEDULE OF CHARGES
CICL has provided all customers with our updated Schedule of Charges for 2026/27. The Schedule is produced to meet the requirements of the Water Charge Rules 2010 (Cth) and can be found on our Website.
The Ready Reckoner for 2026/27 has also been updated with the new charges and can be found on our Website.
IREC's Women in Irrigated Ag
Murray Darling Basin Plan Update
The Murray Darling Basin Authority released their draft determination for the 2026 Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism (SDLAM) reconciliation. The SDLAM is part of the Basin Plan and includes primarily State Government projects called supply projects to achieve equivalent environmental outcomes, reducing the need for water recovery. The original Basin Plan assumed 605GL of offset measures. The draft determination indicates only 340GL of off sets is likely to be achieved, leaving a projected shortfall of 265GL. The draft determination indicates the Murrumbidgee’s share of this shortfall is 68.66GL.
Southern Basin communities remain at risk of the government addressing this shortfall through further water recovery. CICL and industry continue to oppose additional water recovery and are advocating for evidence-based decisions that prioritise practical and effective measures to achieve environmental outcomes. CICL CEO Julian Speed met with Minister Watt this week, advocating for alternative projects to minimise negative impacts of SDLAM reconciliation. NIC’s media release can be found on their website.
Visit from Member for Farrer
We were pleased to welcome the Member for Farrer, David Farley MP, for a recent visit. We discussed how vital access to water for communities, regions and the nation is, including the contribution irrigation makes to food and fibre security for Australians. As part of this, CICL provided David with a fact sheet highlighting the important role irrigation and our customers play in the economic output of our region.
The Fact Sheet can be found under Brief Overview on our website. It was encouraging to listen to our local member about his approach to advocacy for Farrer and we look forward to continuing to build a constructive working relationship.
Photo courtesy of Joe Briggs
Customer Connect: A New Era for Online Water Ordering
CICL is working with Rubicon Water to transition from WaterWays to Customer Connect, a new system for water ordering and account management. Thank you to the customers who trialled the platform and provided valuable feedback ahead of its wider release.
Customer Connect is expected to come online within the next few months and will initially operate alongside WaterWays, allowing customers time to become familiar with the new system. WaterWays will be retired after the current irrigation season, with Customer Connect becoming the primary platform.
Customer Connect will offer:
A refreshed, user-friendly interface
Easier access to water orders and account information
Better visibility of delivery and ordering data
Improved compatibility across computers, tablets and mobile devices
Ongoing development and support from Rubicon
To help customers transition, CICL will provide user guides, how-to videos and assistance from staff.
Stay tuned for further rollout details.
Staff and Community News
CICL is pleased to introduce our new CFO, Wilco Seinen pictured here with CEO Julian Speed. When asked what he’s most looking forward to, Wilco shared he is proud to join CICL and excited to work alongside a great team in supporting our farmers, strengthening our communities, and creating opportunities for the future.
Recently the CICL team gathered to celebrate and thank Paul Clarke for his 13 years of dedicated service as our CFO. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on his contribution to the organisation and wish him every success and happiness in his new role in Bathurst. Paul is pictured here on the right with our new CFO Wilco Seinen, and the Finance Team – Jacquelyn Marks, Kellie Pound and Alison Hayes.
CICL is proud to be a Platinum sponsor of the Cypress View Lodge Community Car. We are pleased to support an initiative that makes a practical difference to the lives of local residents and their families.
CICL Grant Latta Scholarship Opportunity
Applications Close 31 October 2026
Applications are closing soon for the 2027 CICL Scholarship Program, offered in partnership with the CDPCEF. The scholarship supports students studying Engineering, Information Technology, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Finance or Communications, providing up to $9,000 per year. Recipients will also gain valuable paid work experience with CICL during university breaks and have the opportunity for employment with CICL following graduation. For more information, contact Alison Hayes at CICL.
We’d love to see what’s happening on your farm—send through your photos and we might feature them in an upcoming newsletter!