NSWIC

The NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) is the peak body representing irrigators and irrigation communities in NSW. NSWIC has member organisations in every Murray-Darling Basin valley of NSW and several coastal valleys, representing over 12,000 water access licence holders.

NSWIC is a leader in sustainable and productive water policy solutions, and advocates for and advises on best-practice water management.

Our vision is for the secure, sustainable and productive management of water resources in NSW.

NSWIC STAFF

CLAIRE MILLER

CEO

CLAIRE MILLER

CEO

Claire has almost 40 years of experience immersed in complex operating environments where policy, politics, community values, ecological sustainability and economic imperatives clash. She was with The Age for more than 20 years, covering the environment, politics and rural affairs, before joining the Victorian Government as a senior ministerial water policy adviser. Since 2011, she has worked in various roles agricultural industry groups and regional communities. Claire has a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies and is a director on the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority board.

Qualifications:
Masters of Environmental Science
Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors

Email:claire@nswic.org.au

CHRISTINE FREAK

POLICY MANAGER

CHRISTINE FREAK

POLICY MANAGER

Christine has a Masters of Environmental Law focused on water management in the Murray-Darling Basin and multijurisdictional river basins globally, and a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences with a focus in International Development Studies and Economic Development. Christine grew up in regional NSW, including in the southern NSW Murray-Darling Basin, as well as northern NSW, and is passionate about finding sustainable and productive water policy solutions for regional communities.

Qualifications:
Master of Environmental Law
Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences

Email:christine@nswic.org.au

ANDREA MOLTENO

POLICY OFFICER

ANDREA MOLTENO

POLICY OFFICER

Email:andrea@nswic.org.au

FELI MCHUGHES

PRINCIPLE FIRST- NATIONS ADVISOR

FELI MCHUGHES

PRINCIPLE FIRST- NATIONS ADVISOR

Feli McHughes is a Ngemba man from the Upper Darling region of Brewarrina, with extensive experience in water resource management for First-Nations. Feli was part of the Interim Committee to establish the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN) in 2009, where he remains on the Board of Directors and as Nation-Delegate. Feli is also appointed on the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s statutory Basin Community Committee (BCC). Feli has served as the NSWIC First-Nations advisor for a number of years, and is leading an award-winning project of Billabong Restoration, which seeks to address the roots of social issues facing Aboriginal people through culturally-appropriate employment to care for country, whilst embedding Indigenous science and knowledge in water management.

NATALIE STEINER

ADMIN OFFICER

NATALIE STEINER

ADMIN OFFICER

Natalie has a Masters Degree in Biodiversity & Conservation and a Bachelors Degree in Zoology (First-class Honours) along with 20 years of experience in executive administration supporting senior management and C-suite executives across a range of industries including Technology, Media and Not-for-profit. Natalie is a life-long nature conservationist and regularly volunteers on projects both within Australia and overseas to work on habitat regeneration and wildlife surveying.

Qualifications:
Masters of Science (Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation)
Bachelor of Science (Zoology) Hons 1

Email:nswic@nswic.org.au

NSWIC Board

JIM CUSH

CHAIRMAN

JIM CUSH

CHAIRMAN

Jim Cush has been full time farming for 40 years in a family farming company based in Moree. Jim is very proud to have his 3 grown children actively involved in the business. The business has grown with farms in 4 valleys including one in Queensland. This exposure to multiple valleys and 2 states has allowed Jim to see firsthand the differences between valleys in NSW as well as the difference in approach by another state.

Email:nswic@nswic.org.au

TOM GREEN

VICE CHAIR

TOM GREEN

VICE CHAIR

Tom is a 6th generation farmer at Forbes NSW, running a mixed farming enterprise with his parents - including cereal cropping, prime lamb production and Lucerne hay and seed production. Tom has been the Chair of Lachlan Valley Water for the last 9 years and has been an active member for more than 10 years. With a degree in Applied Science (Agribusiness) from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Tom has previously participated in agricultural shows and since 2006, has been a next generation member of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, attending biannual conferences and study tours in various Commonwealth countries including Zambia, PNG and Canada. Tom has undertaken the NSWIC Treasurer role for the last 4 years and looks forward to continuing to work with NSWIC member organisations on all things water related in his new role as Deputy Chair.

Email:nswic@nswic.org.au

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS

Andrew Watson – Treasurer
Namoi Water

Peter Sheppard
Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative Limited

Will Russell
Bega Cheese Ltd

Trevor Clark
Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council

Life Delegates

Chris Magner, Richard Stott, Col Thomson, Ted Morgan, Mike Bennett , Bruce Loder, Ian Douglas

NSWIC
Constitution

NSWIC
Guiding Principles

Water Blueprint
2021-22

Strategic Plan
2023 - 2028

NSWIC HISTORY

The NSW Irrigators’ Council was formed by irrigation farmers and irrigation representative bodies in 1983.

It was recognised that there was a need for a strong and united voice to respond to the wide-scale water reform processes in NSW and water pricing issues.

NSWIC

NSWIC STAFF

CLAIRE MILLER

CHRISTINE FREAK

ANDREA MOLTENO

FELI MCHUGHES

NATALIE STEINER

NSWIC Board

JIM CUSH

TOM GREEN

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS

Life Delegates

NSWIC HISTORY

Company

Contact

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