Goulburn to Murray trade rules remain unchanged

The decision was made by the Victorian Government in response to community feedback and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Goulburn-Murray Water said it was working with the government to ensure irrigators could access water when and where it was needed, while balancing the long-term health of the Goulburn River.

G-MW's water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said inter-valley trade rules implemented in December 2019 would be maintained throughout 2020-21.

“We welcome the Victorian Government’s decision to extend interim trade measures, ensuring certainty for water users this irrigation season,” Mr Blyth said.

Goulburn-Murray Water said water use from tagged allocation accounts would only be allowed when the relevant inter-valley trade limits were open, and would be prevented when the limits were closed.

The inter-valley trade limits that apply are the Goulburn to Murray trade rule and Victoria’s limits on trade into Victoria from NSW.

Customers can continue to set up tagged allocation accounts under the extended interim rules.

For transfers from the Goulburn to the Murray, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has agreed to a target of 40 Gl per month for December to April.

The Victorian Government will undertake further consultation on options to change Goulburn to Murray trade rules later this year.

For information on trade limits and details of the volumes in inter-valley accounts, visit the Water Register website at: www.waterregister.vic.gov.au