The call follows the release of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s ‘What We Heard’ report, which summarises public consultation on the Basin Plan Review.
Both the NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) and the National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) say the findings show a growing consensus that future policy must move beyond simply recovering more water and instead focus on maximising the effectiveness of existing reforms.
NSWIC chief executive Dr Madeleine Hartley said decisions made in the current review would shape the Basin’s future for generations, particularly its role as a cornerstone of Australia’s food and fibre production.
“Over the past three decades more than 2700 gigalitres of water has been recovered through the Basin Plan, on top of 875 gigalitres recovered before the plan began,” Dr Hartley said.
“Combined, these reforms mean only about 25 per cent of average Basin inflows are now diverted for consumptive use.”
She said the priority must now shift to making better use of the water already recovered, rather than removing more from productive use.
The Murray-Darling Basin accounts for around 40 per cent of Australia’s agricultural output and supports thousands of regional jobs and businesses.
Dr Hartley warned that further reductions in irrigation water risk undermining both domestic food security and export capacity at a time of increasing global uncertainty.
“Every irrigation farm we lose means fewer jobs, less food and fibre production, and greater economic pressure on regional communities,” she said.
“Australia cannot afford to sideline food security by implementing reforms that permanently reduce agricultural output.”
Instead, NSWIC is calling for targeted investments in areas such as improving water delivery efficiency, upgrading infrastructure, and addressing environmental challenges like invasive European carp populations.
The NIC echoed these concerns, highlighting that the MDBA report reveals a broad agreement among stakeholders that priorities have shifted.
“After three decades focused on reducing diversions to rebalance the system, it’s clear the next stage must address a broader set of issues that cannot be solved by just adding water,” NIC chief executive Zara Lowien said.
According to the report, stakeholders widely support efforts to maximise environmental outcomes from existing water, better integrate land and water management, improve water quality, and address the decline of native fish species.
There is also strong backing for improved governance, transparency, and attention to critical human water needs.
Ms Lowien said the findings demonstrate significant common ground across sectors, even where disagreements remain about the volume of water allocated to irrigation.
“There may always be debate about how much water is used in the Basin, but what stands out is the level of agreement on the need to move forward,” she said.
“These are areas where governments can prioritise investment and deliver meaningful outcomes for both the environment and Basin communities.”
She also welcomed the report’s recognition of irrigated agriculture as a ‘missing chapter’ in previous discussions, noting concerns that the social and economic impacts of water recovery have not been adequately addressed.
With about 72 per cent of Basin inflows now remaining in the river system for environmental purposes, both organisations argue that the balance between environmental and consumptive use has largely been achieved.
The focus now, they say, must be on refining the system to deliver better outcomes for all.
“Now is the time to get this right,” Dr Hartley said.
“Sensible, balanced water policy is essential to futureproof both our environment and the industries that produce the food and fibre Australia - and the world - rely on.”
