Project updates

• Third PAC Meeting Held: The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) met on 10 February 2026, providing a comprehensive update on project progress, key deliverables, and governance. Discussions covered the finalisation of the communications and engagement plan, progress on major outputs including the Size of the Prize and Basin Forum workshops, and project management approaches. The PAC also endorsed timeline extensions for key deliverables to ensure quality and effective stakeholder engagement, while emphasising continued coordination with regional hubs and industry partners.
• “Size of the Prize” Deliverable: The Size of the Prize analysis has now been completed, establishing the first Basin-wide estimate of irrigation-related emissions using publicly available data. The work applies a transparent top-down methodology to quantify energy use and emissions across the Murray–Darling Basin, indicating that irrigation contributes approximately 4.5–9 Mt CO₂-e annually. The findings highlight irrigation as a significant and actionable opportunity for decarbonisation, with electricity use identified as the dominant emissions source and key lever for reduction.
• “Basin Forums” Deliverable: The Mildura and Loxton workshops, held on 27 November 2025 and 4 February 2026, highlighted that cost pressures and energy price volatility are key drivers for decarbonisation. Participants showed strong interest in practical, on-farm solutions such as improved pump efficiency, automation, and solar integration, while also identifying barriers including grid constraints, limited export capacity, and the need for demonstration sites, case studies, and accessible financing. Preparations for the next round of Basin Forums are now underway, with upcoming workshops scheduled for Griffith (27 May) and Goondiwindi (3 June), bringing together stakeholders to support co-design and ensure the roadmap reflects regional priorities and on-ground insights.

Region-based activities

1. CIT network Site Visit at Riverland
The Central Irrigation Trust (CIT) network site visit in the Riverland, hosted by CEO Greg McCarron, provided valuable insights into the operation of a large, grower-owned irrigation system and its approach to energy management. The visit included a tour of key pump station infrastructure (including the Cobdogla pump station), highlighting the scale of electricity use for pressurised pumping, ongoing decarbonisation efforts such as on-site solar and battery partnerships, and key challenges including rising network costs, ageing assets, and long-term planning under declining water availability.

2. Costa Avocado Farm at Red Cliffs
The visit to the Costa Group avocado farm in the Riverland showcased innovative approaches to high-value horticulture under challenging climatic conditions. The site features substrate-grown avocados under netting with fully automated irrigation, advanced monitoring systems, and targeted cooling strategies to manage heat stress, improve early yield, and optimise water use. The visit highlighted both the potential of controlled-environment agriculture for improving productivity and resilience, and the practical challenges around drainage management, energy use, and system optimisation.

3. Industry Engagement: Contribution to ABA’s In A Nutshell
As part of stakeholder engagement, the project contributed content to the Almond Board of Australia’s In A Nutshell – Autumn edition, highlighting our work on decarbonising irrigation systems across the Murray–Darling Basin. The article shared key insights on irrigation energy use and emissions, and outlined practical opportunities for growers, including improving pump efficiency, integrating renewable energy, and adopting smarter irrigation practices. This contribution helped communicate project findings to a broader industry audience and support awareness of feasible, on-farm decarbonisation pathways.

4. Sustainable irrigation program forum
A 30-minute presentation on the project was delivered at the Sustainable Irrigation Program (SIP) 3rd Quarterly Forum in Shepparton, bringing together stakeholders from DEECA, AgVic, and CMAs to support sustainable irrigation initiatives. The session introduced progress on decarbonising irrigation systems across the Murray–Darling Basin and generated valuable discussion, particularly around practical implementation and alignment with existing regional programs.

5. MRIC Strategic Advisory Panel Meeting
Project findings were presented at the MRIC Strategic Advisory Panel (SAP) meeting, which brings together leaders from industry, research, and education to guide the Centre’s strategic direction. The presentation highlighted progress on decarbonising irrigation systems across the Murray–Darling Basin, including early insights on irrigation energy use and emissions, as well as practical opportunities such as pump efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and smarter irrigation practices. Engagement with a panel comprising CRC partners and key stakeholders, alongside Centre leadership, provided a valuable opportunity to align the project with industry priorities and strengthen pathways for collaboration and impact.