Goulburn-Murray Water today confirmed it has processed almost half of the 877 ballot applications received in this years ballot, with water trading limits already reached in some Irrigation Areas for high reliability water shares.
G-MW Water Administration Manager, Ruth McGrath said G-MW was on track to complete processing of the water share applications received for the ballot within the target of 8 weeks.
"G-MW has confirmed the 4% limit on the trade of high reliability water shares out of the Torrumbarry,
Central Goulburn and Rochester Irrigation Areas had been reached," Ms McGrath said.
When an application is processed in one of these areas, which would cause the 4% limit to be exceeded, the application will be refused.
"It is important to remember that there may be applications for smaller volumes as we move further down the queue so if any opportunity remains under the limit when we come to process those applications they may be able to be approved," Ms McGrath said.
Sometimes applications also result in water shares being re-associated with an irrigation area and this can also lead to more approvals further down the line.
G-MW have processed and approved around 400 applications to date representing a volume of around 60,000 ML of water," Ms McGrath said.
Of the 877 applications, 791 were for high-reliability water shares and the remaining 86 for low-reliability water shares. Processing of the high reliability ballot will be finalised before commencing processing the low reliability.
"This year we have seen a drop in the number of incomplete and incorrect water share applications which had to be returned to applicants. In previous years around 40% of water share applications were in this category, this year the number is far smaller," Ms McGrath said.
G-MW expects it will take another four weeks to complete processing of ballot applications and will advise customers of the outcomes of their application as it is processed.
"Once processing of all ballot applications is completed, we will commence processing applications received after 9 July in date order, so we urge people to continue to be patient until we resume normal processing timelines in approximately 6 weeks time," Ms McGrath said.
For further information on ballot and water trading information visit http://www.g-mwater.com.au/water-trading
For further information on the current status of the 4% limit, go to www.waterregister.vic.gov.au/Public/Reports/WaterTradeFourPercent.aspx
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