Cotton Australia recently accompanied the NSW Shadow Minister for Water and her advisor on a tour of the Macquarie Valley to hear more about the cotton industry and its positive contribution to the region.

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay and General Manager Michael Murray accompanied the Shadow Minister and Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke and her water advisor Mark MacNamara.

Over a day and a half, the MP met with Macquarie Valley Cotton Growers Association Chair Billy Browning, inspecting his newly installed pump fish screen and observing emerging cotton on a bankless channel layout.

The Shadow Minister also visited the Gin Gin Weir to discuss the need for its replacement and toured the Trangie-Nevertire Irrigation Scheme, guided by local grower and scheme upgrade architect Tony Quigley.

Alongside these stops, the Shadow Minister visited one of Tony’s family farms to view cotton and a travelling irrigator, stopped by the Australian Food and Fibre Gin and Logistics Centre in Warren, met with growers at the Nevertire Pub, and explored “Burrima,” a Macquarie Marshes wetland site, with growers Glen Whittaker and Michael Egan.

Adam Kay said Steph was incredibly engaged. “Steph was keen to gain a deeper understanding of water management and key issues across the state including the proposed new National Water Agreement, the implementation of the Basin Plan, and specific Macquarie Valley concerns, such as the Gin Gin Weir, Burrendong Dam’s storage capacity, water pricing, and enhancing environmental outcomes in the Macquarie Marshes.”

“We’re very appreciative of Steph and Mark for taking the time to see these issues firsthand, and to the growers who hosted them, especially with winter crop harvest underway. The Macquarie Valley is showing some promising results from this season’s crops,” added Adam.