Talking Water - Tuesday 23 May, 2023

Operations

• Winter maintenance activities
• Operational Areas and Winter Operations
• What Guaranteed dates mean
• Water Delivery Performance 
• Talking Water data to 23/5/2023

Business

• Water Minister meeting
• Director nominee info session
• Country university proposal 
• Grant applications closing soon 
  

Industry

• Indicative allocation for 2023-24
• Rabobank Financial Workshops

Community

• Astronomy Talks: Tomorrow night
• Free Deni cyber security event
  

Operational Update

Winter maintenance activities: Machines operating now

Activities are well underway in the field including clearing and grading for channel de-silting and import of materials.
 
Works will increase heavy machinery activity and vehicle movements across the Murray Irrigation footprint, particularly near channels.
 
Please be aware of any safety signage and adhere to any changed road conditions, especially during foggy, wet, or rainy conditions. 

Performing our winter works safely is our highest aim. Our safety record bears this out and is a key focus in our planning and delivery of the works. 

Please let us know if you have any concerns and report any safety issues by calling us on 1300 138 265 or via email by clicking the button below. 

 Operational Areas and Winter Operations

Operational Areas are your key to understanding how Winter Operations and guaranteed dates will affect you. 

To find out the Operational Areas for your outlets and when your Operational Area will be closed for maintenance click on the 'My Outlets' tab in your Customer Portal, as shown below.

What do Guaranteed water delivery dates mean?

Guaranteed dates are the final dates we deliver water under Regular Operation, when you can be sure you will get your order within the notice period timeframe, in line with the Distribution Rules.
 
Once your Operation Area enters Winter Operation, water delivery is non-guaranteed. 

This means access to water is subject to the available water in your channel section.
 
During Winter Operation, your orders may not be delivered in full, and flows may fluctuate based on the water available in your channel section. 

For more information on the transition from Regular to Winter Operation click here or read the 2022-23 Season Operating Plan.
 
As we announced in last week’s Talking Water, draining for winter work is now well underway in the Operational Areas closed for maintenance in 2023.

Water Delivery Performance  15/05/2023 - 21/05/2023

Additional resources 

MDBA weekly report
NSW Water allocation statements
Rainfall and evaporation
Barmah Choke trade balance

Catching up with our new NSW Water Minister

(L-R) Murrumbidgee Irrigation General Manager People and Policy Karen Hutchison, Coleambally Irrigation Co-Operative CEO Clifford Ashby, NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson, Murray Irrigation CEO Ron McCalman, Coleambally Irrigation Co-Operative Policy and Communications Manager Jenny McLeod and Murrumbidgee Irrigation CEO Brett Jones. 

Last week, Murray Irrigation, Murrumbidgee Irrigation and Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative executives met with the new NSW Water Minister, the Hon. Rose Jackson MLC in Sydney. 
 
Many topics were discussed during the meeting, including company initiatives and projects, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, SDLAM and the challenges faced by our region's respective irrigation areas. 
 
Murray Irrigation CEO Ron McCalman described the meeting as "very positive".
 
"Murray Irrigation looks forward to regular discussions with Minister Jackson as we continue to build an open working relationship, helping the new Government to understand community impacts of potential legislation on the regions, " Mr McCalman said.

Murray Irrigation will soon be calling for nominations from eligible individuals to fill three upcoming Member Director vacancies on the company’s Board of Directors. 

But before we do, we’re offering those interested the opportunity to attend a Director Nominee Information Session.
 
The exact details of the session (including date, time and structure) will depend on interest from potential nominees. Topics to be covered include:

• Roles and responsibilities of a Murray Irrigation director;
• Directors’ legal duties; and
• General information about Murray Irrigation and the election process.

If you are interested in attending a Director Nominee Information Session, or require more information, please contact us 1300 138 265 by 3.00pm Friday 2 June. 

Alternatively, you can send us an email to: companysecretary@murrayirrigation.com.au. 

Finley Country University Centre proposal: Info session tonight

A community information session is being held in Finley this evening to discuss the proposed establishment of a Country Universities Centre (CUC) in the Berrigan Shire, to provide local students access to tertiary education in their own home town.
 
The information session will be held at the Finley RSL Club,commencing at 5.30pm. 
 
This initiative is being driven by the CUC Southern Riverina steering committee, which is also seeking to establish similar centres at Deniliquin, Hay and Moama.   

Murray Irrigation supports this initiative to give rural and remote students easier access to education opportunities, and has been working in collaboration with community groups, organisations and local councils to help bring this proposal to fruition. 
 
Read more about the CUC campaign, and Murray Irrigation's involvement, in the below article published in today's Deniliquin Pastoral Times.   

  

DPE final indicative allocation for 2023-24

The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) released a Water Allocation Statement yesterday, noting indicative allocation for 2023-24 “… is likely to be a commencing general security allocation of around 50% of entitlement.” 

The DPE advises that the next water allocation statement will be published on Saturday 1 July 2023.

Rabobank free Financial Skills Workshops in early June

Rabo is hosting free farm financial skills workshops across the Riverina and northern Victoria in early June.
 
The interactive, enterprise focussed workshops are aimed at practical advice and are not restricted to Rabobank clients.

Community News

Astronomy Talks: Deniliquin tomorrow night

Enjoy an evening under the stars as you discover and learn more about the night sky with astronomer and Powerhouse Curator Sarah Reeves.
 
In this 45-minute tour of the heavens, travel through the Solar System, out into the Milky Way and beyond, marvelling at the planets, stars, constellations and galaxies above us.
 
This free event is being held from 5.00pm at the Deniliquin Town Hall.

Free cyber security event: Deniliquin 31 May

Regional Development Australia Murray, Deniliquin Business Chamber and nbn Local will be hosting a free event, 'Cyber Security: Get ahead of the game’, at Deniliquin's Depot museum on 31 May, from 5pm.
 
Local businesses are invited to come along to hear digital experts from the Australian Government Home Affairs Cyber Security Outreach team and nbn Local, speak about cyber criminal’s methods, traps, and trends and how to manage your cybersecurity risks and responsibilities.
 
The event will also include an economic development update from RDA Murray, and an update from nbn regional manager, Andrew Cottrill, on regional broadband investment and upgrades.