The challenges of navigating the complex and often-frustrating water market were discussed during a special Rural Press Club of Victoria webinar. Moderated by ABC Rural’s Kath Sullivan, the webinar featured a panel of farmers and industry experts including Aither founding director Chris Olszak, Goulburn Valley dairy farmer and former Dairy Australia Chairman Geoff Akers, northern Victorian grain and maize producer Craig Reynolds, and Waterpool Trading chief executive Peter Lawford.

Links to media surrounding this event from the The Weekly Times, Country News, Stock & Land, and the Rural Press Club of Victoria can be found below:

The Weekly Times

Water trading panel: Speculators ‘minimal’ impact on water market
As irrigators await an ACCC report into water markets, industry experts say its another basic principle that’s to blame for the escalating water prices.

Country News

Forum told speculators have small role in water trading
Speculators were dismissed as a major influence on water prices in an online forum hosted by the Rural Press Club of Victoria last Thursday.

Stock & Land

No evidence speculators are distorting the water market: Waterpool head
The head of a major northern Victorian water trader has dismissed what he says are ‘bar room” claims that speculators are distorting the irrigation market.

Rural Press Club of Victoria

Recording of webinar uploaded to Facebook
Rural Press Club of Victoria webinar – ‘Water unplugged – lifting the lid on Australia’s water market’.