Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) has identified a number of additional trading opportunities for irrigators managing through extreme drought.
As prolonged dry conditions continue to affect water resource availability, G-MW will allow up to 5,000 megalitres (ML) of allocation trade from the Lower Goulburn trading zone (Zone 3) into the
Greater Goulburn trading zone (Zones 1A and 1B).
"Opening up this trading opportunity doesn't create extra water, but it does give buyers and sellers more options in the water market," G-MW Executive Manager Strategy and Stakeholder Affairs Garry Smith said.
"We have made the decision now instead of our usual December timing because of the difficult seasonal conditions."
As well as trade from the Lower Goulburn Zone (Zone 3) to Greater Goulburn (1A, 1B), trade will also be allowed from the Lower Goulburn Zone into the Loddon Weir Pool (Zone 1L), the Lower Campaspe (Zone 4C) and the Lower Broken Creek (Zone 6B).
"These are all allowable transactions under the trading rules for northern Victoria", said Mr Smith. "Applications will be processed in the order they are received until the 5,000 ML limit is reached."
Mr Smith said Goulburn-Murray Water has also received a number of questions about back trade from the Murray to the Goulburn.
"Allocation trade from the Murray to the Goulburn is possible against allocation trade volume previously out of the Goulburn system. Currently there is about 45,000 ML of back trade available, taking into consideration the proposed volume of water to be called out for the Murray and the current net trade position."
G-MW will update this volume after each allocation announcement and provide this information on the web at www.g-mwater.com.au
The Murray-Darling Basin Commission also recently extended the period for allocation trade from above the Barmah Choke (Zone 6) to downstream of the Choke (Zone 7) on the River Murray.
This trade opportunity will be available until February 2009 and may be extended further, depending on seasonal conditions.
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Media Contact: Garry Smith
Position: Executive Manager Strategy and Stakeholder Affairs
Telephone: (03) 5833 5480