e-News Edition #62

Date: 10-Apr-2026

Hot Topics

1. Basin Plan Review: Final Call for Submissions – Close 1 May

2. Northern Basin Connectivity Review: What Irrigators Need to Know

3. Australia’s $17.4 Billion Digital Water Opportunity

4. WA Waterwise Irrigation Rebates – Applications Running Low

5. Ballarat’s $4.5M Recycled Water Expansion for Sports Irrigation

6. AxFlow Oceania Acquires Dowdens Group in Queensland

7. $7.94 Million for NSW Drought Resilience in Horticulture

8. Future Drought Fund: Scaling Success Grants Opening Mid-2026

9. National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture

10. Upcoming Training Courses

11. The Irrigation Australia Talent Hub – Employers Wanted!

12. Advertise in Our Publications

1. Basin Plan Review: Final Call for Submissions – Close 1 May

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s Discussion Paper for the 2026 Basin Plan Review is open for public comment until Friday 1 May 2026. This is the first comprehensive review of the Basin Plan since it was introduced in 2012, and it will shape water management for the next decade.

The Discussion Paper covers key issues including sustainable diversion limits, climate adaptation, environmental outcomes, river connectivity and First Nations participation. The MDBA has also commenced the Menindee Review, with a public launch in Menindee on 11 February and related technical and consultation papers now available.

Nearly 200 senior leaders from communities, agriculture, tourism, environmental groups, First Nations, government and science converged in Brisbane in March 2026 to discuss the future management of the Murray–Darling Basin. The feedback from the 12-week consultation will directly inform the final Review Report recommendations due to the Commonwealth Government by the end of 2026.

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.

We encourage all members to review the Discussion Paper and consider making a submission before 1 May.

Have your say at getinvolved.mdba.gov.au/2026basinplanreview or phone 1800 230 067.

2. Northern Basin Connectivity Review: What Irrigators Need to Know

The NSW Government has released recommendations from the Northern Basin Connectivity Expert Panel that could significantly affect irrigators in the northern Murray–Darling Basin.

A key proposal is to raise the Menindee Lakes water trigger level from 195GL to 250GL. Under this change, floodplain harvesting and supplementary water access would be restricted in the Northern Basin when total water in storage is below the new threshold. This effectively narrows upstream access based on a downstream storage rule.

The NSW Irrigators’ Council has warned that these proposed river connectivity rules could have a severe economic impact on struggling northern Basin towns, estimating more than half a billion dollars a year could be stripped from local economies under inflated flow targets. Cotton Australia has also raised concerns, noting the recommendations focus on changing water access rules rather than relying on market-based acquisition.

An in-depth departmental briefing on the Connectivity Review is scheduled in Narrabri on 9 April. Hydrologic and economic assessments and stakeholder consultations are planned throughout 2026, with options for improving connectivity to be released for further consultation.

This is a critical issue for irrigators across NSW. We encourage affected members to stay informed and engage with the consultation process.

For more information, visit water.dpie.nsw.gov.au

3. Australia’s $17.4 Billion Digital Water Opportunity

A new report from Bluefield Research has projected that Australia’s digital water market represents a US$17.4 billion opportunity through to 2036, driven by accelerating investment in smart metering, network monitoring and AI-enabled analytics.

Total expenditure on digital water solutions is forecast to grow from US$958.6 million in 2026 to US$2.4 billion by 2036, at a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. Metering and customer management is the fastest-growing segment at 32%, reflecting where utilities are concentrating investment to improve water efficiency and customer engagement.

Sydney Water and South East Water have committed to large-scale smart meter rollouts covering nearly 30% of the national population, while 15 of the top 20 utilities are running active pilot programmes representing a further 46% of Australians. Static meter deployments are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 15.6%, with customer engagement software expanding even faster at 23.7%.

For irrigation professionals, this shift signals growing demand for smart water infrastructure skills, integration with digital platforms, and opportunities in the expanding urban and commercial irrigation technology market.

Read the full report at smartwatermagazine.com

4. WA Waterwise Irrigation Rebates – Applications Running Low

The Water Corporation’s Waterwise Irrigation Rebate program for 2025–26 is approaching capacity, with high demand meaning allocations may close earlier than the scheduled end date of 31 May 2026.

The program offers Perth and Peel customers a rebate of up to $200 when they engage a Waterwise Garden Irrigator to professionally install and set up an eligible smart irrigation controller or module. All eligible services must also include a professional check and adjustment of automatic irrigation controller settings.

With 1,500 rebates available and interest running high, irrigation businesses in Western Australia should be encouraging their customers to apply promptly. This is a strong opportunity for Waterwise-accredited irrigators to drive new work while the rebate is still available.

For full details and to apply, visit watercorporation.com.au

5. Ballarat’s $4.5M Recycled Water Expansion for Sports Irrigation

The City of Ballarat and Central Highlands Water are investing $4.5 million in new recycled water connections to irrigate sports grounds, with new supply lines being installed to Wendouree West Recreation Reserve and Victoria Park.

The project is part of Ballarat’s broader strategy to reduce potable water consumption and increase the use of recycled water for sports field and public open space irrigation. The interconnected projects are being jointly managed over two years by Central Highlands Water and the City of Ballarat.

This investment highlights the growing role of recycled water in commercial and municipal irrigation, and the opportunities for irrigation professionals in designing, installing and maintaining these systems as more councils look to reduce their reliance on potable water for landscape and turf irrigation.

For more information, visit ballarat.vic.gov.au

6. AxFlow Oceania Acquires Dowdens Group in Queensland

AxFlow Oceania, part of the global AxFlow Group, has acquired a majority stake in Dowdens Group, a leading provider of fluid handling solutions based in Queensland. The acquisition, announced on 7 April 2026, represents AxFlow’s largest investment in Oceania to date.

Dowdens, founded in 1973, delivers fluid handling systems, products and services across key industries including mining, agriculture, food and beverage, and water and wastewater. The business operates through Dowden Pumping and Water Treatment and Emerald Air Starters and Equipment (EASE), employing approximately 180 people across five Queensland locations: Brisbane, Rockhampton, Mackay, Proserpine and Emerald.

The current owners, including the second generation of the Dowden family, will remain as shareholders. AxFlow Oceania Managing Director Michael Briggs said the focus is on backing the existing team with access to more products, more support and more opportunities for growth.

The combination creates opportunities including increased service capacity and lifecycle support, expanded systems and project capabilities, and operational improvements through shared expertise. Service and project activities account for more than half of Dowdens’ turnover.

For the irrigation and water industry in Queensland, this acquisition signals continued investment and capability building in fluid handling, pumping and water treatment services across regional areas.

For more information, visit axflow.com

7. $7.94 Million for NSW Drought Resilience in Horticulture

A $7.94 million project to boost drought resilience for NSW winegrape, apple and cherry growers has received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, through the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program (Round 2).

The project focuses on trialling and validating drought-resilient farming practices in horticultural settings – an area of particular relevance for irrigators working in viticulture and tree crop production across regional NSW.

This funding complements the broader $100 million per year Future Drought Fund, which supports a range of programs aimed at building long-term drought and climate resilience across Australian agriculture.

For more information, visit dpi.nsw.gov.au

8. Future Drought Fund: Scaling Success Grants Opening Mid-2026

The Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund Scaling Success Program will make grants of between $100,000 and $3 million available to enable successful drought resilience projects to have impact beyond their initial scope.

The program is designed to take proven approaches from earlier Future Drought Fund investments and scale them to benefit more communities, regions and farming systems. Successful applicants will be notified in early to mid-2026, with project activities expected to start from June 2026.

This is a significant opportunity for irrigation businesses and organisations involved in water efficiency, drought preparedness and on-farm resilience to access funding for scaling proven solutions.

For more information, visit agriculture.gov.au/future-drought-fund

9. National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture

The Australasian Space Innovation Institute (ASII) has launched a $15 million National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture – a new capability for coordinated decision-making and innovation across the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors at a national scale.

The digital twin will provide predictive capability and scenario modelling across key areas including climate resilience, biosecurity, water management and productivity. Early 2026 has seen the formalisation of the Steering Committee and program structures, with initial workstreams now commencing. The priority is to design, build and test the core platform and validate initial use cases with partners.

For the irrigation industry, this initiative could offer valuable tools for water management planning, seasonal forecasting and infrastructure decision-making as the platform develops.

e-News Edition #62

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