G-MW allows water transfers from Lower Goulburn River to Greater Goulburn
G-MW allows water transfers from Lower Goulburn River to Greater Goulburn
Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) has announced that up to 5,000 megalitres of current season allocations can be transferred from the Lower Goulburn River trading zone (Zone 3) into the Greater Goulburn water trading zones (Zones 1A & 1B) as well as 1L (Loddon Weir Pool), 4C (Lower Campaspe) and 6B (Lower Broken Creek).
According to G-MW Executive Manager Strategy and Stakeholder Affairs, Garry Smith, the announcement is in response to the very difficult seasonal conditions and will not adversely affect the reliability of the Goulburn water supply system.
The trading rules for northern Victoria allow for limited trade from Zone 3 to Zone 1A,1B, 1L, 4C and 6B in years classed as dry. Normally G-MW would make this assessment in December.
"Given the very difficult season, we have brought forward this assessment of Lower Goulburn resources. The opening up of this trade opportunity will give buyers and sellers more options in the water market," said Mr Smith.
"In a normal season this trade is not possible because the resources made available to customers along the system include tributary inflows. We are simply not seeing any tributary inflows this year so all consumptive requirements will need to be released from Eildon," said Mr Smith.
The announcement means up to 5,000 megalitres of current season allocations can be transferred to customers further up the Goulburn River, for example customers below the Goulburn Weir can transfer current season allocation to customers above the Weir.
"With low allocations in this system, we do not intend to seek expressions of interest as we have in previous seasons. We are confident the 5,000 ML is enough to meet the anticipated demand. Applications will be processed as they are received until the 5,000 ML limit is reached," said Mr Smith.
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Media Contact: Linda Nieuwenhuizen
Position: Manager Corporate Communications
Telephone: (03) 5833 5776
