The Annual General Meeting of Central Downs Irrigator Limited (CDIL) was held in Dalby last week, welcoming Nic Clapham’s continuation as Chair, along with the reappointment of the other directors.

CDIL members received extensive water updates from National Irrigators Council CEO Zara Lowien and Queensland Farmers’ Federation Water Policy Advisor Jo Martin, along with updates from Cotton Australia and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority.

Key issues over the next 12 months for CDIL members will include consideration of the Queensland Government’s intention to move Sunwater Renewal Planning from the long-established Annuity approach to a Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) approach, as well as an assessment by CDIL of whether it would like to adopt Local Management Arrangements for water delivery along the Condamine.

The consideration of the benefits or otherwise of the RAB-based approach will also be a key focus of the QFF Water and Energy Policy Committee, chaired by Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray.

QFF and Cotton Australia would welcome feedback from irrigators serviced by Sunwater, as well as growers in South-East Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, on their views regarding the two approaches.

QFF has requested support from the Queensland Government to fund an independent investigation of the two approaches.