Talking Water - Tuesday 3 December, 2024

Privacy Policy Update 

Murray Irrigation has reviewed and updated its Privacy Policy. The new Privacy Policy will come into effect on 19 December 2024. 
 
Customers and shareholders will have received an email on Monday 2 December notifying of the change in policy, along with a summary of changes. 
 
For more information on the updated Privacy Policy, you can read our company announcement below. 

If you have any questions please contact companysecretary@murrayirrigation.com.au or T. 1300 138 265. 

Murray Irrigation AGM 

Murray Irrigation held its AGM last week on Wednesday 27 November. 
 
More than 120 attendees participated in the meeting, with just under half of those attending online. 
 
All resolutions put forward to vote were carried. These results mean: 



• There will be no changes to the Board composition until the next Director election in 2025. 
• The Director's Remuneration Cap will increase from $400,000 to $500,00 effective 1 July 2025, and be adjusted by annual CPI from 1 July 2026. 

Chair Phil Snowden congratulates the five Directors on their Board appointments, and extends his appreciation to shareholders for participating in the AGM process. 
 
Further information on voting breakdown can be found in the below shareholder update.

If you missed the AGM and would like to watch the full recording, this can be found on the company website or via the button below. 

After the AGM, the Murray Irrigation Board held its final Board meeting for the year. 
 
The first agenda item of the Board meeting was the appointment of the company Chair, Deputy Chair and committee Chairs as follows. 
 
Chair: Phil Snowden 
Deputy Chair: Geoff McLeod 
National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) delegate: Gabrielle Coupland 
Remunerations and Nominations Committee (REMCO) Chair: Trisha Gorman 
Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMCO) Chair: Robert Burbury 
Water Policy and Management Committee (WPMC) Chair: Geoff McLeod 
 
Chair Phil Snowden congratulated all Board members on their appointments, and thanked Lachlan Marshall for his service as Deputy Chair for the past 2.5 years. Lachlan chose not to seek an additional term as Deputy Chair. 
 
Further information on topics discussed during the Board meeting can be found in the below Chair update. 

Abares Outlook - Insights for Action: Fostering Growth in a Changing World 

Abares are set to host their 2025 Conference offering two days of insights for action online or in person during March 2025. 

ABARES Outlook 2025 brings together influential Australian and international speakers and panellists from industry and government in Canberra and online. 

Delegates will dive into the diverse issues shaping the future of our agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries across 12 dynamic sessions. 

The program offers sessions covering a spotlight on commodities, modern agriculture, sustainable and productive AG, trade related environmental policies and much more.

Concerns a ‘nightmare’ spray drift season may be ahead as the first signs of damage emerge 

Cotton growers in New South Wales have reported the first signs of off-target spray drift damage as concerns increase that there may be a nightmare season ahead, with ongoing wet weather resulting in an explosion of weeds. 

In a normal season, spray drift reports begin to filter through in December and January however farmers are already facing an uphill battle to control weeds following an excellent winter crop and the resulting weeds in fallow, while emerging cotton crops are also facing weed exposure because of the conditions. 

Cotton Australia (CA) Regional Manager for northern New South Wales Bob Ford said he has already heard of spray drift damage near Collarenebri, Narrabri and Rowena and Walgett. 

The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) assesses complaints of alleged chemical spray drift and may consider investigating the misuse of agricultural chemicals in high-risk incidents of spray drift, in catchments or on individual properties, depending on the risks. The DPI may also be out in the regions monitoring mandatory pesticide record keeping requirements. 

Likewise in NSW, the Environment Protection Agency has responsibility for compliance and enforcement and has ensured more boots on the ground in growing areas and an increased visibility of its inspectors.