e-News Edition #76 New

Date: 06-Nov-2026

Welcome to Edition 76 of the Irrigation Australia e-News. Peter Durand welcomes two new Directors after last week's AGM. We then cover the AGM and Annual Report, Tasmania's Northern Midlands scheme, the 2 November allocations and summer outlook, Queensland's telemetry deadline, new water projects in regional Victoria, meter installer training in Brisbane and two learning events.

Hot Topics

From Peter: A Clear Focus for the Year Ahead
2026 AGM and Annual Report
How Reliable Irrigation Water Supports Investment in Tasmania
2 November Allocations and the Summer Outlook
Queensland Telemetry Deadline, 1 December
New Water for Regional Sports Grounds and a Golf Course
Certified Meter Installer and Validator, Brisbane, 1 and 2 December
Two Irrigation Learning Events

1. From Peter: A Clear Focus for the Year Ahead

Following last week's AGM, I would like to welcome Chris Rehm and Grant Chettleburgh to the Board and thank our continuing and outgoing directors for their contribution to Irrigation Australia.

The period ahead is about concentrating our efforts where we can make the greatest difference for members: developing practical skills, supporting professional standards and strengthening connections between irrigation businesses and the people who use their expertise.

Partnerships are an important part of that approach. I am pursuing opportunities with organisations serving agriculture, horticulture, turf and the wider water sector. Working through established industry networks can help irrigation businesses reach relevant customers and bring specialist knowledge into discussions where it can influence better decisions.

We also need to be disciplined about what we undertake. Every activity should have a clear purpose, a practical benefit for members and a realistic plan for delivery.

My focus following the AGM is on translating that direction into useful outcomes. Members should be able to see how our work supports their people, their businesses and the standing of the irrigation profession. I will use this column to report on progress and explain opportunities as they become available.

Peter Durand, Acting General Manager

2. 2026 AGM and Annual Report

Irrigation Australia, the not-for-profit member association for the irrigation industry, held its 2026 Annual General Meeting online on Wednesday 28 October. Eight candidates were nominated for five Director positions, and Chris Rehm and Grant Chettleburgh have joined the Board.

The 2026 Annual Report describes 2025-26 as a period of significant change and challenge. It reports a substantial improvement in the financial result compared with the previous year, says continued discipline remains necessary, and notes that certification remained a particularly strong area.

The Board has set four priorities for the coming year:

Restore financial sustainability
Rebuild member value and engagement
Strengthen industry capability
Rebuild industry relevance and influence

Read the 2026 Annual Report

Find out about membership

3. How Reliable Irrigation Water Supports Investment in Tasmania

Tasmanian Irrigation's Northern Midlands scheme delivered its first water on 1 October 2026. The $217.96 million scheme can supply 25,500 ML over the summer irrigation season to around 50 irrigators in the lower Isis Valley and Macquarie River region, and half of them will be accessing Tasmanian Irrigation water for the first time.

Our new website feature looks at how irrigator demand lifted the planned capacity from 13,000 ML, how the scheme turns variable hydropower discharges into a dependable supply, and where designers, installers and suppliers fit between the scheme outlet and the crop.

Read the feature

4. 2 November Allocations and the Summer Outlook

Northern Victorian allocations rose again on 2 November. Murray high-reliability water shares went from 82% to 85%, Goulburn and Loddon from 65% to 68%, Campaspe low-reliability shares from 69% to 74%, and Broken low-reliability shares from 60% to 93%. The next announcement is on 16 November.

In New South Wales, the Murrumbidgee general security allocation rose 2% to 47%, and the NSW Murray held at 30%. The Lower Darling also stays at 30% and remains in Drought Stage 2. The next statements are due on 16 November.

The Bureau of Meteorology's latest long-range forecast says temperatures are very likely to be above average for most of Australia from November to January. It expects above-average rain in parts of western, central and eastern Australia, and below-average rain in the far north and south-east.

Northern Victoria seasonal determinations

NSW allocation statements

Bureau of Meteorology climate outlooks

5. Queensland Telemetry Deadline, 1 December

Non-urban surface water meters in six Queensland Murray-Darling Basin water management areas must have telemetry installed by 1 December 2026. The areas are Lower Balonne, Condamine and Balonne, Upper Condamine, Condamine and Balonne tributaries, Moonie and Stanthorpe.

A Queensland Government subsidy covers telemetry device supply and installation, and the first 12 months of data services and maintenance. You pay the ongoing costs after that.

To arrange an installation, contact Aquamonix on 1300 797 246 (option 2) or Goanna Ag on (07) 4671 3790. Sunwater customers can call 13 15 89.

Telemetry requirements and due dates

6. New Water for Regional Sports Grounds and a Golf Course

The Victorian Government announced $10 million for 50 water projects on 23 October, through its Integrated Water Management and Traditional Owner-led grants programs.

Stormwater harvesting projects in Wodonga, Kerang, Rupanyup and Murtoa will supply local sporting grounds. Near Mildura, Red Cliffs Golf Club will use drainage water from local irrigation on its fairways, and Lower Murray Water will look at reusing more water in the region.

Read the Victorian Government's announcement

7. Certified Meter Installer and Validator, Brisbane, 1 and 2 December

Our next Certified Meter Installer and Validator course runs in Brisbane on 1 and 2 December 2026, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day. It's for anyone looking to become responsible for installing and validating rural water meters, and leads to a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment.

The cost is $1,700 for company members, $1,900 for individual members and $2,100 for non-members, excluding GST. You'll need a Construction Industry White Card or equivalent.

To book, complete the pre-registration form or email training@irrigation.org.au.

Course details

Pre-registration form

8. Two Irrigation Learning Events

Agriculture Victoria is running a free two-day Irrigation Management Course at Irymple on Wednesday 25 November and Wednesday 9 December 2026, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Topics include soil water, Mallee soils, irrigation system performance and scheduling. To register, email irrigation@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 03 5482 1922.

qldwater will hold a Fundamentals of Pipeline Hydraulics and Water Velocity webinar on 11 February 2027, covering water supply, wastewater, recycled water and irrigation systems. Registrations open soon.

Irymple Irrigation Management Course

Pipeline hydraulics webinar

Also This Fortnight

Need a certified irrigation professional? Our Certification Directory lets you find certified irrigation designers, installers and other professionals by location. Search the directory

New to irrigation? Our free Irrigation Insights induction course is online and self-paced. View our training courses

Less than four weeks to the NSW coastal metering deadline. Coastal water users whose works are nominated by 100 ML or more must have an AS4747 meter, local intelligence device and telemetry installed and validated by a duly qualified person by 1 December 2026. Check how the metering rules apply to you

Water use efficiency grants for Gnangara growers. Licensed horticultural businesses in eligible Gnangara areas can apply for up to $100,000, with a co-contribution, for work including sprinkler to drip conversions, distribution uniformity upgrades and soil moisture monitoring. The program lists an end date of 31 December 2026. Check the grant details

Macleay Valley draft water sharing plan on exhibition until 15 December. Information sessions run in Kempsey on 10 November and Armidale on 12 November, from 10 am to 2 pm, and registration is required. Have your say on the Macleay plan

National Irrigators' Council report on Basin water use. The Council's new report, based on the Bureau's National Water Account, finds 23% of the total water available in the Murray-Darling Basin is diverted for human use, with 77% left in rivers. Read the Council's statement

Duck Irrigation Scheme licence change. Tasmanian Irrigation has amended the scheme's water licence, keeping its full entitlement while improving delivery reliability, with about 20% less pumping expected on average each year. Read Tasmanian Irrigation's update

AgriFutures workforce grants close 27 November. Round 2 of the People and Capability grants offers $500,000 across three streams, with up to $40,000 available. Read about the grants

Upcoming Training Courses

Irrigation Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 91313) delivering nationally accredited irrigation qualifications, workshops and short courses. Our courses use a blended learning model, combining hands-on face-to-face training with interactive virtual classrooms.

Early 2027

Group discounts are available for organisations enrolling multiple staff, so please contact the training team before booking a team in.

Self-paced online options also remain open, including the free Irrigation Insights induction course and the Introduction to Irrigation Part A and Part B courses. Company members can purchase a 12 month subscription giving all staff unlimited access to all three online courses.

View all upcoming training courses and dates

The Irrigation Australia Talent Hub: Employers Wanted!

Our Talent Hub, delivered with Goheadhunt, puts your business in front of graduates of our Certificate III and certification programs and people coming through the Irrigation Insights induction course.