e-News Edition #60 New

Date: 26-Feb-2026

Hot Topics

1. 2027 Waterwise Expo – Western Australia: Venue Search Now Open

2. Protecting Our Native Environment: Plasson Australia Partnering with Watergum

3. 2026 Basin Plan Review: Public Submissions Now Open

4. One Basin CRC Panel Session: Empowering Local Communities – 17 March

5. Skills Insight: Landscaping Skills Review Underway

6. Gippsland Irrigation Incentives Expanded Across Lake Wellington Catchment

7. Skills Insight: Rural Operations & VET Workforce Projects – Have Your Say

8. Gippsland Irrigation Expo 2026 – Save the Date: 20 May

9. ICID Congress 2026 – Marseille: Australian Exhibitors Welcome

10. Industry Forum & Roundtable: Irrigation Technology Training in Western Australia – 1 April

11. The Exhibit Success Program – Free Sessions Across Australia & New Zealand

12. Upcoming Training Courses

13. Advertise in Our Publications

14. The Irrigation Australia Talent Hub – Employers Wanted!

1. 2027 Waterwise Expo – Western Australia

Irrigation Australia is pleased to announce the return of the Waterwise Expo in 2027. The 2025 Expo, held at the Novotel Vines Resort and Golf Course in Perth, was our most successful yet. We are now seeking the next venue in Western Australia to host this flagship event.

We are looking for sites that can accommodate trade displays and networking, along with the opportunity for a guided tour and presentation of your work. This is your opportunity to promote your project and position your organisation as a leader in best practice irrigation.

If you have a venue or project worth showcasing, or know of one we should consider, contact us to explore the opportunity.

Email info@irrigation.org.au with the details now!

2. Protecting Our Native Environment: Plasson Australia Partnering with Watergum

Plasson Australia is partnering with Watergum to help break the cane toad breeding cycle through a world-first CaneToad Tadpole Trap and Lure system. This innovative technology targets cane toads at their most vulnerable stage, as tadpoles, removing them before they mature and cause further environmental harm.

The system leverages the natural cannibalistic behaviour of cane toad tadpoles, which are instinctively drawn to consume other cane toad eggs. Researchers from the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience identified the pheromone responsible for this attraction and developed a specialised lure. Watergum now holds the sole commercial production licence for the lure, manufacturing it in-house and pairing it with a purpose-designed trap that maximises effectiveness. When deployed correctly, each trap can capture hundreds to thousands of tadpoles at a time.

The process is simple and accessible. The trap is placed in shallow water near a cane toad tadpole swarm and collected after several hours. Captured tadpoles can then be humanely euthanised and disposed of responsibly.

Watergum’s Cane Toad Challenge, including the annual Great Cane Toad Bust, empowers communities across Australia to take action. Since 2019, more than one million cane toads, adults and tadpoles, have been removed from the environment.

As Watergum’s key distribution partner, Plasson Australia is proud to support this nationwide initiative, sharing a commitment to protecting Australia’s native ecosystems and restoring environments impacted by cane toads.

For more information or to find a stockist, visit here.

3. 2026 Basin Plan Review: Public Submissions Now Open

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released its Discussion Paper for the first comprehensive review of the Basin Plan since it was introduced in 2012. Public consultation is now open and will run for 12 weeks, closing on Friday 1 May 2026.

The review comes at a significant time for irrigators and Basin communities. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville has acknowledged that while the Basin Plan has delivered real benefits, climate change, ageing infrastructure and poor water quality mean some things need to be done differently.

The Discussion Paper explores progress to date and considers issues and challenges for the next decade, including sustainable diversion limits, climate adaptation, environmental outcomes and river connectivity. The MDBA is also hosting a Basin Leadership Summit in Brisbane on 10–11 March 2026 as a key engagement activity during the consultation period.

This is a critical opportunity for irrigators, industry bodies and water users to have their voices heard. Irrigation Australia encourages all members to review the Discussion Paper and consider making a submission.

For more information, visit here.

4. One Basin CRC Panel Session: Empowering Local Communities

Date: 17 March 2026 | Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Format: Online

This March, the One Basin CRC is running a series of online panel sessions bringing together partners, researchers and other experts to discuss the key themes and topics present in the MDBA’s Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper.

This session aims to explore ways to elevate community leadership, local government authority and regional-scale coordination relevant to the Basin Plan Review. Panellists will explore what system changes are needed to enable local leadership to influence the next phase of Basin Plan implementation and what practical changes can be put in place in the next 12–24 months to strengthen community leadership and regional governance.

About the Panellists

Bernadette Torresan (Chair) – Griffith Regional Hub Manager, One Basin CRC and former Deputy Chair of Albury Business Connect, specialising in leadership, strategy and stakeholder engagement.
Mike Stewardson – CEO of One Basin CRC, with a 30-year career in water resources research and research translation at the University of Melbourne, and inaugural director of the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre.
Edwina Hayes – Focused on connecting people to drive regional economic, environmental and social outcomes, linking government, industry and community to capitalise on primary production investment in the Murray Region.
Councillor Shari Blumer – Griffith Councillor and National President of the Murray Darling Association, advocating for 12 regions to have a strong voice in managing Basin resources and influencing government policy.
Jonathon Howard – Academic at Charles Sturt University who teaches community engagement to environmental science students. An active citizen, he leads the Thurgoona community actions group and advises Albury Council, NSW NPWS and the Murrumbidgee Environmental Water Committees on sustainable management.
Michael Spencer – Research Fellow with Impact Labs in the Monash Business School. Founder of the global Alliance for Water Stewardship and its chair for its first decade, with a PhD in environmental governance and experience across academia, global NGOs, Asia-Pacific programs and senior government and industry roles.
Mayor Kevin Mack – Border region leader and former Victoria Police officer with deep community roots. A long-serving councillor, he champions regional collaboration, health outcomes and the Two Cities One Community partnership.
Zara Lowien – CEO of NIC, having led the organisation through negotiations and input into the 2023 Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill. Previously Executive Officer of the Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association for 13 years. A graduate of the Peter Cullen Trust and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Zara brings extensive expertise in natural resource management and regional water governance.

5. Skills Insight: Landscaping Skills Review Underway

Australia’s landscaping industry is diverse and complex, yet this isn’t fully captured in any national system, making it difficult for industry to access workforce development support.

Industry stakeholders have raised concerns about access to suitable training, formal recognition, jurisdictional variation, and poor alignment between qualifications, regulation and real-world practice.

Skills Insight is leading a project to identify and map landscaping job titles, roles, skills and knowledge at a national level. This will create a clearer picture of the industry, the capabilities it needs, and the career pathways it can offer. The project will examine whether current landscape-related qualifications reflect contemporary and emerging expectations, and whether the diversity, skill levels and scope of contemporary landscaping practice are accurately reflected in national workforce and data systems.

The project is being undertaken in consultation with state landscaping associations including Landscaping Victoria, The Landscape Association (NSW/ACT), Landscape Industries Association of WA, Landscape Queensland Industries Association, and Master Landscapers of SA.

Findings may inform future training and workforce development activities. Stakeholders around the country are being consulted on current job roles, skills needs and regulations. Your input is encouraged.

For more information, visit the Skills Insight website.

6. Gippsland Irrigation Incentives Expanded Across Lake Wellington Catchment

More farmers across Gippsland can now access Incentives for Irrigation Farm Plans. After years of success in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID), the Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program has been expanded to include irrigators across the entire Lake Wellington Catchment.

The incentive covers 75% of the cost of an updated irrigation farm plan, up to a maximum of $45 per hectare for design only, or $90 per hectare for survey and design of a new plan, capped at $10,000 (excluding GST). Tailored options are available for farms with specialised requirements.

An Irrigation Farm Plan is a practical tool that helps irrigators compare systems, plan upgrades and design improvements that work with existing infrastructure. A well-prepared plan improves water-use efficiency, reduces nutrient losses and ensures works meet statutory requirements.

The Lake Wellington Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program is administered by Agriculture Victoria in partnership with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, funded by the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Irrigation Program.

7. Skills Insight: Rural Operations & VET Workforce Projects – Have Your Say

Certificate II in Rural Operations – Feedback Open Until 20 March

Skills Insight has released a revised draft of the Certificate II in Rural Operations for broad consultation. The qualification has been updated to align with the new Training Package Organising Framework (TPOF) 2025, with key changes including a shift from 15 to 12 units of competency (3 core and 9 electives), additional elective units for greater flexibility, and updated superseded units.

The draft qualification is available for feedback between 18 February and 20 March 2026. Face-to-face consultation workshops are being held in Paterson (NSW), Toowoomba (QLD), Broome (WA), Darwin and Katherine (NT), with online sessions also available.

Provide feedback via the Skills Insight Feedback Hub or email RuralOperations@skillsinsight.com.au

VET Workforce Project – Roundtable Events Around Australia

Skills Insight’s VET Workforce Project is co-designing strategies to improve the attraction and retention of VET educators in rural, regional and remote areas. A series of roundtable and networking events are being held nationally in early 2026 for employers, training providers, industry partners and community organisations.

Upcoming sessions include events in Dubbo (25 Feb), Canberra (5 Mar), Mareeba (10 Mar), Roma (12 Mar), Alice Springs (24 Mar), Katherine (26 Mar), Kununurra (28 Mar), with sessions in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and WA to follow.

Contact: Diana McNaughton – diana@skillsinsight.com.au

8. Gippsland Irrigation Expo 2026 – Save the Date: 20 May

The Gippsland Irrigation Expo returns to the Sale Showgrounds on Wednesday 20 May 2026. The last event in 2020 attracted more than 500 visitors and this year’s Expo promises to be even bigger. Entry is free for all attendees.

The Expo brings irrigators and industry professionals together to connect, share knowledge and explore the latest innovations in water efficiency and sustainable farming practices. Exhibitor registrations are now open.

The Gippsland Irrigation Expo is funded as part of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s Sustainable Irrigation Program, implemented by Agriculture Victoria and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

For more information, visit here.

9. ICID Congress 2026 – Marseille: Australian Exhibitors Welcome

The 26th ICID International Congress and 77th IEC Meeting will be held in Marseille, France, from 12–17 October 2026. Themed ‘Water and agricultural resilience in the face of climate change,’ the congress is expected to attract over 1,000 participants from across the globe.

Australian companies are encouraged to participate as exhibitors to showcase innovations, connect with international networks, and position Australian irrigation expertise on the global stage. Irrigation Australia is the Australian representative body of ICID and encourages member participation.

For more information, visit here.

10. Industry Forum & Roundtable: Irrigation Technology Training in Western Australia

Date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026 | Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | RSVP: Friday, 27 March 2026

Location: FFTITC, Unit 6, 800 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park | MSTeams participation available

Catering: Lunch provided

An Industry Forum and Roundtable is being held in Western Australia to discuss irrigation technology training and workforce development. This event will bring together industry stakeholders to explore key topics shaping the future of irrigation training in WA.

Event Highlights

Overview of the newly gazetted Irrigation Technology Apprenticeship in Western Australia
Strategies to improve attraction to, and retention within, the irrigation industry
Analysis of training demand across metropolitan and regional Western Australia
Opportunities to open the training market
Assessment of the suitability of the current qualification for Western Australian industry needs
Exploration of developing targeted skill sets as building blocks to enable flexible qualification delivery and address immediate skills gaps

Please forward this to your irrigation technology stakeholders!

RSVP by Friday 27 March 2026 by emailing or calling 0419 292 404.

11. The Exhibit Success Program – Free Sessions Across Australia & New Zealand

Exhibiting isn’t what it used to be, and neither is winning on the show floor. The way people connect, engage and buy has shifted. That’s exactly why the Exhibit Success Program is back – a practical, high-impact session designed to help exhibitors make every interaction count and turn presence into performance.

Whether you’re a first-time exhibitor, a seasoned pro or somewhere in between, this session is your chance to reset your approach, embrace what’s working now, and walk away with strategies you can implement immediately. This is a hands-on, results-focused experience built around The Reconnection Revolution, where real conversations, genuine engagement and human connection drive real ROI.

Even if you’ve attended before, you’ll gain fresh insights, updated tools and a renewed mindset to elevate your next show.

What You’ll Learn

How to reconnect with buyers and visitors in a distracted world
Why booth design isn’t enough – it’s all about engagement
How to create powerful first impressions that convert into sales
Smart pre-show and post-show tactics to extend your impact
What’s working right now in face-to-face marketing

Training is worth thousands of dollars in consulting and insights, and it’s completely FREE thanks to the generous support of each venue hosting in each state. It’s open to all exhibitors, not just those with Expertise Events, because a strong exhibition industry benefits everyone.

Locations & Dates

Brisbane Convention Centre – 4 March 2026
Sydney Showground, Homebush – 11 March 2026
Melbourne Convention Centre – 18 March 2026
The New Zealand Wine Centre, NMIT Blenheim Campus, New Zealand – 23 March 2026

Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm (registration from 9:30 am with arrival coffee)

Cost: FREE*

*If you are unable to attend after registration, please let us know in advance for catering purposes, otherwise you will be invoiced $99.

Seats are limited – secure your spot now!

12. Upcoming Training Courses

Invest in your team’s skills and stay ahead with nationally accredited training from Irrigation Australia.

Upcoming training

March:

Certified Meter Installer and Validator – Queensland – 24 March 2026 – 26 March 2026

April:

Certificate III in Irrigation Technology Block 1 – Paterson, NSW – 13 April 2026 – 12 April 2028

May:

Certified Irrigation Installer – Western Australia – 4 May 2026 – 7 May 2026
Certified Meter Installer and Validator – Victoria – 12 May 2026 – 14 May 2026

June:

Certified Meter Installer and Validator – Paterson, NSW – 9 June 2026 – 11 June 2026
Certificate III in Irrigation Technology Block 1 – South Australia – 15 June 2026 – 14 June 2028

Click here to view all upcoming training

Funding and subsidies are available in WA. Discounts are available for multiple staff enrolments from the same organisation.

View all upcoming courses and register via our website.

13. Advertise in Our Publications

With 2026 well underway, Irrigation Australia continues to ensure our members are supported and connected. We’d like to remind you of the opportunity to advertise your business in our publications.

We’ve recently made changes to how we share our publications, with additional promotion streams and distribution methods to help your message reach a wider audience across the irrigation industry.

If you’re looking to reach irrigation professionals through The Irrigation Journal or The Overflow, contact info@irrigation.org.au for more information or to receive our 2026 Media Kit.

14. The Irrigation Australia Talent Hub – Employers Wanted!

Finding and keeping great people continues to be one of the biggest challenges across the irrigation industry.

That’s why Irrigation Australia, in partnership with Goheadhunt, has launched the Irrigation Talent Hub — a platform connecting employers with pre-screened, job-ready candidates from across Australia.

Why Join the Talent Hub

Register your free employer profile
Access a growing pool of industry talent
Only pay if you hire – Pay-for-Success model

Featured talent now available:

T.L. – Team Leader Irrigation | City of Belmont, WA – Full-time, 9-day fortnight, competitive salary.
F.L. – Irrigation Technician | Perth, WA – Full-time role with Frenchams Landscaping Services, seeking experienced technician.
B.R. – Reticulation Technician | Perth, WA – Full-time, hands-on field role with Beyond Reticulation.
F.I.N. – Irrigation Channel Operator | Emerald, QLD – Full-time position with Fairbairn Irrigation Network, supporting regional water delivery.
P.S.S. – Landscape Supervisor | Mandurah, WA – Full-time role with Peel Scape Solutions, leading projects across residential, commercial and local government.
N.W.S. – Commercial Irrigation Serviceman | Perth Metro, WA – Full-time, service and maintenance role with Newground Water Services.

Irrigation Australia Members: Don’t miss out - set up your free profile today and access a growing pool of talent.

Join the Irrigation Talent Hub

Click here if you are interested in becoming an Irrigation Australia Member.

Click here to view upcoming Training Courses.

Click here to view the latest Career Opportunities available within the Irrigation Industry.

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