Rosters and Restrictions

About Rosters and Restrictions

Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) monitors flow in unregulated streams and implements rosters and restrictions when flow decreases below minimum volumes. 

The Rosters and Restrictions webpage provides a place for unregulated customers to review the status of their stream at any time.

Select a region or catchment, select a stream and view any current restrictions on unregulated water access.

Stream minimum flow requirements are detailed in Unregulated streams Local Management Rules where a streamflow management plan is in place. 

Streams that do not have a specific Local Management Rule have a minimum threshold of three megalitres per day applied. For more information about specific streams, please contact your local Diversion Inspector on 1800 013 357.

There are five stages of restriction. These range from Stage 1 (10% of entitlement over a 10 day period) to Stage 5 (Only domestic and stock extraction permitted). 

Restriction Type Access
No Restriction Unrestricted (other than Winter Fill Conditions)
Stage 1 Roster 10% of entitlement every 10 days
Stage 2 Roster 7.5% of entitlement every 10 days
Stage 3 Roster 5% of entitlement every 10 days
Stage 4 Roster 2.5% of entitlement every 10 days
Stage 5 Suspension Irrigation & Commercial Extraction Prohibited
(Domestic & Stock allowed)


Where a customer operates an on-stream storage, extraction from the storage for irrigation is not affected; however harvesting of flow to refill the storage will be subject to any current restriction.

Customers are required by their licences to take water in accordance with any rosters and restrictions on their stream.  It is an offence to take and use water at a level exceeding any roster or restriction.


Current Restrictions Report

Please see below for the restriction status of unregulated streams in the GMW area.

Select options above to display diversions rosters.


Water Use Compliance

Water is a precious and limited resource. It is critical to our economy, environment and communities. This is why water needs to managed fairly for all water users. GMW takes a zero-tolerance approach to water theft to ensure equity of access to limited water resources and protects those who are doing the right thing.

It’s illegal to take and use more water than allowed under your entitlement. Whenever a little more water is taken than is allowed, it can easily add up and there is limited water to go around.

Water theft affects everyone in your community and it is important that individual water users do not adversely impact other users or Victoria’s environmental values. Individual water users should make sure they have the right authorisations before they take water from a dam, bore, stream, river, creek or irrigation channel.

A zero-tolerance to water theft provides equity of access to limited water resources and protects those who are doing the right thing. If you see something, say something. To report an alleged breach/offence, phone us on 1800 013 357. 

For more information on compliance and enforcement at GMW, please see our Water Use Compliance page.