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New Murray irrigation trust laws begin

24 April 2009

South Australian irrigators who access water through irrigation trusts have greater flexibility to better manage their businesses under new legislation.

The new Irrigation Act 2009 and the Renmark Irrigation Trust Act 2009 were recently passed in State Parliament and have been gazetted today.

Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald says the new legislation continues South Australia's commitment to water reform and ensures there are no restrictions to the permanent trade of water.

"The new Acts are the result of extensive community consultation throughout the Riverland and I thank all community members who have been part of the consultation process for their input.

"The changes are important in ensuring there is capacity to meet future challenges in the management and operation of irrigation infrastructure in South Australia."

The new legislation provides:

  • Flexibility for individual members and water licence management. Trust members can apply to the trust to transform their irrigation right into a water licence. Also, trusts can choose, by resolution, to devolve its water licence to all trust members.
  • No more districts. Irrigation districts will be removed so the operations and functions of the trust are based on service provision rather than land tenure. Provision of water to areas previously outside of irrigation district boundaries will be a major change in how irrigation trusts can manage their businesses.
  • No restrictions on permanent trade. A trust will not be able to restrict permanent trade of water out of its irrigation network and must facilitate trade both in and out of a trust network at the request of its members, and in accordance with the Water Act 2007.
  • Flexibility for trust operations. Existing trusts can continue the management of collectively owned irrigation infrastructure and/or drainage networks. Trusts will also be able to enter into individual service agreements or contracts for the delivery of water or drainage services. Fees and charges for water, drainage and other services provided by a trust must reflect the cost of operating the infrastructure. Also in future, new trusts could be established, or existing trusts amalgamated.

"These changes will enable irrigators wishing to exit the industry to trade their water,' Minister Maywald says.

'This is an important element in enabling access to the Small Block Irrigator's Exit Grant Packages, available through the Commonwealth Government until June 30, 2009.'