At a Glance – in this newsletter:
- No Water Statement with this Invoice – No meter reading this quarter. Clear around your meters.
- AGM & Director Election – 12 members attended, 5 proxies. John Muscat re-elected.
- Changes to the EICL Rules – Members require 30ML of water allocation. New S&D outlets allowed.
- EICL Prices for 2026-27 up 2% from April 1, 2026 - C (fixed) $50.67/ML and D (variable) $16.44/ML
- ATO Ruling – EICL is a public Authority and therefore has to pay no tax on profits.
- Announced Allocation – 79%
- Water Ordering – 24 hours’ notice as per the rules, will be enforced. Online system to be rolled out.
- Water Trading – Customers looking to buy/sell/lease. Let EICL know – we can help.
- Keep cool & swim in the pool – Don’t swim in the channels
No Water Statement with this Invoice
At the 2023 AGM it was passed that EICL reduce to 2 meter reads per year, one at the end of the second quarter (end of September) and one at the end of the water year (end of March). Therefore, no Water Statement comes with this invoice as no new meter reading was done. Growers are reminded to clear around their meters before they are read next (late March – early April).
EICL AGM
The EICL Annual General Meeting was held at 7:30pm on Wednesday the 19th November 2025 at the Eton Fire Shed. 12 members were in attendance, and 5 proxies were assigned. The minutes of the AGM are attached and on the website. John Muscat and Dylan Wedel both nominated for the Director position vacated by John at the end of his 3 year term. John was re-elected for another 3 year term. Thanks to both for nominating.
Changes to the EICL Rules
A motion to change the rules of EICL was passed at the AGM to require a minimum of 30ML of water allocation to be held to qualify for active membership. The paperwork has been sent off to Fair Trading to register the new rules. A motion to change the Scheme Distribution Rules and Service Targets was also passed at the AGM to allow new small S&D outlets. We are currently finalising the information and form for those wanting to install a new S&D meter.
EICL Prices for 2026-27 - C (fixed) and D (variable) both up by 2% commencing April 1, 2026
The Board has made the decision to raise the Fixed (Part C) and Variable (Part D) charges by 2% to $50.67/ML (99c increase) and $16.44/ML (32c increase) respectively from April 1, 2026. The annual change has been brought forward to align with the water year and when the 6 monthly meter reads are done. This increase is less than the CPI forecast for the next 12 months (2.73%) and also less than the CPI forecast for 2026-27 (2.67%). This is also around 20% less than the price path that would have been expected from SunWater. The Board has deliberately kept the increase low based on the improved financial performance of the Co-operative (around breakeven) and to encourage further efficiency improvements in the business.
January 2026
The government has committed to the 15% discount on irrigation charges until the end of the 26/27 year. It is not expected to be continued beyond that, based on feedback from the Minister. A new SunWater Board has been appointed, and the Minister’s expectation is that they will reduce costs by 2027/28 and therefore the discount will no longer be needed.
ATO Ruling – EICL is a public Authority
EICL has received a private binding ruling that EICL is a public authority for tax purposes. This means that EICL does not have to pay tax on any profits we make (normally 30%). This has huge implications for our investment earnings, particularly as our reserves build up as it has the potential to save us millions in future years.
Announced Allocation
The Announced Allocation opened with 75% on the 1st April. There was a 2% increase on the 1st July, another 1% increase on the 1st August and a further increase of 1% resulting in a current 79% announced allocation.
Water Ordering
A reminder that the Board has instructed EICL staff that the 24 hours’ water ordering notice period as defined in the Scheme Distribution Rules and Service Targets is to be strictly enforced. Water orders on 07 4977 5840 stating:
- outlet number
- start date/time
- flow rate or total volume
- duration or stop date/time
EICL has been testing an online water ordering system called Telemex. EICL staff have been working on the system to ensure that EICL customer data is up to date and that it works as we want it to. We expect to go live in the next couple of months.
Note that the current water ordering telephone answering machine facility will remain in place as an option and backup.
Water Trading
There has been interest from customers looking to buy/sell/lease temporary and permanent water. We are improving the water trading page for the new website. In the meantime, please contact the office if you want to trade water and we can facilitate connections between buyers and sellers.
If you are selling/purchasing/transferring a Water Allocation, you need to get your solicitor to contact us or in the very least send a copy of the Disclosure Statement so we are aware of the transaction and can give Sunwater our approval for the transfer to go ahead.
Keep Cool & Swim in the Pool
As the weather warms up, everyone is reminded that swimming in irrigation channels is dangerous and it’s illegal. It’s not safe, so stay out of them. Channel property belongs to Eton Irrigation and our staff/contractors use the channel banks to drive along. If you are on the channel there is a high risk that you won’t be seen, and you may get hit.
Austin Evans
GM Eton Irrigation
0427 277 906
austin.evans@etonirrigation.com.au