That is the future direction for Murray Irrigation Limited as it continues to navigate complex water policies attached to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
It has been born out of a series of shareholder discussion groups during September, held to ensure the company understands shareholder sentiment around the Federal Government’s intent to undertake further water buybacks in the region.
The discussions aimed to gather constructive shareholder input on how the company and shareholders can work together to minimise the impact of buybacks on MIL, its customers and the community.
MIL Chairman Phil Snowden said he was pleased with the level of engagement, with participation from 135 shareholders representing almost 30 per cent of 2023/24 water usage.
He said general feedback was “overall very positive” and has given the board confidence in pursuing company initiatives such as:
• Government feasibility study if funding is granted.
• Continued commercial discussions with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) and Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA).
• Exploration and further research into new water market initiatives or products to assist in retaining irrigation water within the Murray Irrigation footprint.
Mr Snowden said it was clear that shareholders understand the forecast impact of buybacks on MIL and the impact on the regional community.
“It is important for shareholders to be aware the company has strategies in place to ensure ongoing business viability despite water buybacks,” he said.
“From a personal perspective, I would like irrigators to think about the community impact from selling water, but want to emphasise we cannot, and do not want to, stop people selling their water.
“That is an individual’s decision.”
The shareholder discussions showed strong support for the concept of MIL’s Water Fund, which, if implemented, would aim to retain as much water as possible within the company’s footprint.
“MIL does not have the capacity to control the buyback process, and it is not our intention to compete against the government on water purchases; however, the MIL Water Fund could provide shareholders who wish to sell their water during the buybacks an alternative option,” Mr Snowden said.
And while the company does not support, and will not assist with, the government’s water purchase program from its footprint, it will work with agencies including CEWO and MDBA to deliver water via MIL assets for a fee on parity with irrigators, while maintaining irrigator priority for water deliveries.
MIL will also continue to lobby for reductions to the proposed increase in government charges on water delivery.
Mr Snowden said the shareholder discussions were “a really positive exercise” that has provided the company with clear direction.
There was also an overwhelming view that shareholders support the process that has been developed for reporting back after the engagement sessions, and for further engagement before decisions are finalised.
“Our board of directors wants to work closely with shareholders to ensure decisions are made in everyone’s best interests.
“I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this engagement process, including shareholders, management and Directors, and we look forward to continuing to work with our shareholders in this manner.”
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