Customer Update - Escapes Agreement delivery fee on parity with irrigators and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

Murray Irrigation has successfully negotiated an amended Escapes Agreement with WaterNSW to bring the delivery fee per megalitre for River Operations on parity with irrigators and the Environmental Delivery Agreement.

The Agreement, which is effective from 1 July 2024, lifts the delivery fee to $8.38 per megalitre until 30 June 2025, with an option to extend the current agreement for a second year, up until 30 June 2026.

Murray Irrigation CEO, Ron McCalman said he is pleased to see this agreement, which puts delivery fees on parity for all customers, successfully finalised. 

“Customers have been asking for fee parity for some time now and I’m pleased we have been able to deliver this,” Mr McCalman said. 

The purpose of the Escapes Agreement is to assist governments to operate the Murray River and manage supply and demand through a range of potential conditions. 

It also provides significant operational benefits to Murray Irrigation on a number of fronts including channel efficiencies and increasing the level of service to Wakool customers.

As part of the negotiations, Murray Irrigation, WaterNSW and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) committed to continue discussions on a new agreement that will commence on 1 July 2026, which will give consideration to future management options for the Barmah- Millewa Reach. 

“Given that work is progressing, Murray Irrigation has taken the position to update the delivery charges now, to give all parties involved time to refine what is required, the impact this may have on stakeholders and ensure the final agreement provides a viable solution to all involved,” Mr McCalman said. 

“I thank WaterNSW and MDBA for their approach during these negotiations and look forward to a continued positive relationship.”