South Australian Murray Irrigators

Welcome to this offshoot of the SA Murray Irrigators’ website.

SAMI is a member driven organisation that strives to provide irrigators along the length of the Murray River in South Australia with a united voice.

Currently, SAMI is actively lobbying to prevent potential disaster for many of our members as record low inflows into the Murray-Darling Basin continue.

Visit our official website here to find out more about SAMI and check the Newsletters section for all our latest news, media releases and statements, or read on for more information…

After about 30 years of varying levels of activity SAMI reformed in February 2001 to formally:

In the latter half of 2004 SAMI recognised that it needed ongoing core funding to ensure a professional, credible and proactive organisation with a more equitable funding base. SAMI investigated the feasibility of seeking irrigator contributions under the South Australian Primary Industries Funding Schemes Act. After considerable research, SAMI decided not to proceed with contributions under the Act. It was decided to retain voluntary subscriptions, but at the August 2005 AGM, it was agreed to change from the four-level funding system to a more equitable one based on cents per megalitre of allocation (holding and taking). The actual agreed rate was 50 cents per megalitre, and shortly after the AGM a minimum subscription fee was set at $50 per megalitre. Licence holders for stock and domestic, industrial, recreation and town water use are not included.

The issues and the strategies to address short and long term issues are outlined in the Five-Year Strategic Plan and One-Year Operational Plan. In broad terms SAMI is concerned about the sustainable use of resources and economic growth. It is important that SA has a healthy working River which means good quality and a sufficient quantity of water to maintain a sustainable system, complemented by technological advancement.

SAMI is an incorporated body governed by a committee of twelve irrigators. SAMI is structured so that there is fair representation all along the River Murray in SA. The committee is comprised of four representatives from the Lower, four from the Mid and four from the Upper River Murray areas. The Chairman, currently Tim Whetstone of Renmark, is elected from the twelve committee members.

For more information visit our official website here.