The delegation - which included chair Noel Baxter, CEO Ron McCalman, general manager government liaison and engagement Gabriel Cusack and executive project manager Ben Malden - was in the nation’s capital seeking support to advance a number of company and community-focused initiatives it has in the pipeline.
Mr Baxter said the visit provided Murray Irrigation a “golden opportunity” to build valuable networks and generate vital cross-government awareness of the innovative and collaborative work the company is undertaking with communities in the southern Riverina.
“Events like these are essential to ensure the positive work Murray Irrigation is doing in support of community, agriculture and the environment is on the Canberra radar,” Mr Baxter said.
“Top of the agenda was our Murray Reconnected Floodplains project which we see as a critical solution to reduce the impacts of water buybacks by having SDLAM recognition conferred on the project.
“Other initiatives discussed over the three days focussed on the suite of infrastructure, telecommunication, regional development, education and water initiatives that form the current focus of the company.
“This includes maintenance to public bridges and culverts, improved digital connectivity, our support for a Country University Centre based in Deniliquin and strategies around water delivery to allow agriculture, environment and community to thrive together.
“All these initiatives reap benefits not only for the company and our shareholders, but for the broader community as well.”
The representatives also spent time speaking with the NSW Irrigators Council, the National Irrigators Council, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water about water related/environmental water issues.
While at Parliament House, the delegation had the opportunity to attend Question Time where they received a positive public welcome from Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek.
Mr Baxter said it was pleasing to hear the minister acknowledge Murray Irrigation as a fantastic organisation.
To close out the trip, Mr McCalman appeared before the House Standing Committee on Agriculture’s Inquiry into Food Security in Australia.
Murray Irrigation was one of 166 organisations to respond to the inquiry which is examining ways to strengthen and safeguard food security in Australia, and exploring the impact of climate change on national food production.
A copy of the submission is available on the company page of the Murray Irrigation website - www.murrayirrigation.com.au.
