Updated 21 March 2025
FAQ - Loddon system water option for rationed customers
Why is GMW now allowing customers to access water from another trading zone?
Tagged allocation accounts are not new. Customers have always had the ability to hold a 5A/1A or 5A/1B tagged allocation account, with water delivered subject to rationing (subject to trading rules). GMW has identified that rationed customers may be able to receive delivery of more water if it is sourced from the Loddon water system (trading zone 5A).
Why wasn’t it available at the start of rationing?
GMW’s focus is ensuring customers have fair and equitable access to the delivery of water.
This option has been developed since the initial ration commenced, as an alternative source of water.
It has been important for GMW to:
- consider the impact on operations and other customers
- confirm that the Loddon water system delivery option was fair and did not adversely affect other customers
- confirm it was acting in accordance with its legal obligations
- carefully assess the changing situation
- consider all options.
How do I get access to this option? What is the process and how long does it take?
To explore this option, you must meet the criteria and follow GMW’s process which includes placing an order manually. Please see the Eligibility criteria and Next steps sections of this webpage for more information on the criteria and process.
Is there any cost associated with setting up the tagged allocation account?
There is no cost for a Form 43 - Application for a new allocation account. A Form 40 - Application to Link Multiple Water Shares and/or Multiple Water-Use Licences to a Single Allocation Account has an application fee of $98.60 for each water share and each water-use licence added to the allocation account. Plus, any allocation trades requested under 3B of Form 40 will incur a fee of $98.60 per trade.
Does this affect my current ration percentage?
No. Customers currently in a rationing cycle will not have their orders affected. GMW will continue to deliver water within the full capacity of the Waranga Western Channel.
Can I place the order myself?
No. You will need to contact GMW via taggedorders@gmwater.com.au to place a manual order. Orders cannot be lodged via WaterLINE. Please see the Next steps and how to place an order section of this webpage for more information, including what you must provide GMW with.
Why do I have to give a minimum of five days’ notice to lodge an order?
To allow for travel time from the Loddon water storages, and for GMW to consider and process your order.
Is there a chance of the Loddon system delivery option being restricted if there is a large uptake?
Yes, that is why GMW had to weigh up all possible scenarios before offering this option.
Goulburn 1A and 1B customers will continue to receive their ration volume as per the current rationing cycle regardless of whether they access Loddon system water (Zone 5A).
It is important to note that subject to demand there is the chance access to Loddon water could be delayed.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep customers informed of any changes.
Can people outside of the ration area have access to this option?
Anyone can set up a 5A/1A or 5A/1B tagged allocation account as per the trading rules, but they will not receive more water as they are currently not impacted by rationing.
Can any other tagged allocation accounts increase my access to the water delivery?
No. Zone 5A water is an option as it is delivered from the Loddon system. All other water is delivered through the Waranga Western Channel.
Who benefits from this option?
- Customers who choose to source water from the Loddon water system and have it delivered.
- Irrigators may now have more options to have water delivered when they need it.
We recognise this is a challenging time for customers and appreciate their patience.
What is the water availability in the Loddon system?
The current seasonal determination for the Loddon system (zone 5A) is 100 per cent of high-reliability water shares. At the most recent assessment on 17 March 2025, there was approximately 12,100 ML of allocation held by private owners for use or trade or both (see NVRM Current Water Ownership webpagefor more information).
The outlook for seasonal determinations next water year (2025-26) announced on 17 February 2025 indicates average inflow conditions would provide for 100 per cent of high-reliability water shares by mid-October 2025. Dry conditions, similar to those experienced this year, may see the seasonal determination reach a maximum of 77 per cent by mid-February 2026. See more details at the NVRM Current Outlook webpage.
Prospective sellers and buyers of Loddon allocation should consider water availability in their decisions.
How do I purchase water allocation?
Please contact a water broker.
FAQ - Rationing irrigation water supply
What is rationing?
Rationing is the sharing of available channel capacity when demand exceeds channel capacity.
How will it affect me?
Your ordered volume or the time you requested your order may be altered to a reduced volume or reduced duration in accordance with the amount of delivery share you hold and the duration of the ration cycle.
Why do I need to be rationed?
It is only physically possible to have so much water in our channels. When large amounts of water are ordered, our channels reach capacity, and subsequent changes must be made.
In instances where demand exceeds capacity for only a short period, we will schedule irrigation orders - linking start orders with finish orders. This means customers will need to be flexible with start dates and times to fit in with available capacity.
In some locations, where demand exceeds capacity for an extended period, we will use a rationing cycle. This ensures all customers receive a fair supply as we manage congestion.
How is rationing cycle determined?
The rationing cycle is guided by a formula. The formula has two variable inputs:
- the number of days in the cycle
- the percentage (%) of delivery share.
For example, a 10-day rationing cycle at 100% delivery share rate will allow customers to receive 100 per cent of their delivery share every 10 days. In this example, a customer with 1ML/day delivery share will be able to access 10ML in every 10-day cycle.
This formula is applied to the delivery shares for each service point.
When did rationing commence for parts of the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area?
Parts of the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area entered a rationing cycle from 5 March 2025.
How long will it last?
The duration is influenced by demand. As soon as demand drops below the physical capacity of the channel, rationing will be removed.
Does it cost me anything?
No, there will not be any additional costs charged to your GMW account.
Does it affect domestic and stock supply?
Rationing does not affect domestic and stock supply.
What if I ignore the rationing and take what I intended to order?
Operating outside the rationing criteria will impact the service to other customers and will therefore be investigated by GMW’s Compliance Officers and may lead to prosecution.
I pay more for water, why don’t I get priority treatment?
Access during rationing events is based on delivery share held by the customer at each service point. The larger the delivery share, the greater the volume that can be accessed during a rationing cycle.
Will I be notified when changes to the rationing arrangements are made?
Yes, messages will be updated on WaterLINE whenever changes are made to the rationing arrangements. You may also be contacted by a Water Systems Operator about your order.
Will the 10-day rationing cycle start on the same day for all impacted customers?
No. The start of a customer's 10-day rationing cycle depends on when they place their irrigation order, and applies to each service point individually.
For example:
- If a customer orders water to start irrigating on 6 March, their 10-day cycle will begin on 6 March
- If another customer orders water for 10 March, their cycle will start on 10 March.
GMW's announcement that rationing will begin for parts of the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area on 5 March means that all irrigation from this date onward will be subject to the 10-day rationing cycle, until announced otherwise.
Why hasn’t GMW used the water available in the Loddon Bulk Entitlement (Loddon Supplement) to avoid rationing in the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area?
Any supplementary water available through the Loddon Bulk Entitlement is nearly exhausted.
The water was used to meet time-critical irrigation demand during spring and continues to be used where possible.
Does the current Loddon River environmental flow impact irrigation delivery in the Boort region?
No, the environmental flow is using Loddon system allocation held by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. It is occurring independently of Goulburn Murray Irrigation District irrigation deliveries and is not impacting irrigation deliveries.
The purpose of environmental flows is to maintain or improve the health of rivers and wetlands with the aim of achieving key ecological objectives such as:
- fish movement and breeding
- improvement in water quality and both land and plant vegetation health
- enhancing bird breeding, feeding and roosting opportunities.
Environmental flows in Victoria are regulated under Environmental Entitlements that provide rivers and wetlands with water exclusively for environmental use.
Why has GMW revised the rationing percentage of delivery share from 150% to 120% for the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area?
Following assessment of customer orders from last autumn and spring, GMW calculated that a 150% ration for delivery shares would reduce demand enough to ensure orders are able to be delivered without exceeding the capacity of the network.
While this approach has helped manage demand over the past fortnight, its effectiveness is decreasing due to the combined effects of:
- dry weather
- redistribution of delivery shares
- increasing irrigation demand
- exhaustion of the supplementary water available from the Loddon Bulk Entitlement (Loddon Supplment).
As a result, GMW is seeing an increase in customer order lead times, with some customers needing to place orders up to 10 days or more in advance. This trend highlights the need to carefully and continuously balance delivery capacity and service reliability across the network.
To help manage system capacity, maintain reliable service, and reduce the risk of unacceptable delivery constraints, GMW has adjusted the rationing percentage of delivery share from 150% to 120% of delivery share, for all orders lodged after 5pm, Wednesday 5 March 2025.
Will my irrigation order be affected by the change in rationing percentage of delivery share?
- If you have a current irrigation order that starts after 15 March, your order will automatically be rationed at 120% of delivery share, and GMW will be in touch with you to adjust your order.
- If you have a current irrigation order that finishes before 15 March, your order will remain unaffected and be rationed at 150% of delivery share.
- If you have a current irrigation order that extends across 15 March, the portion of your order beyond 15 March will remain unaffected and be rationed at 150% of delivery share.
Who should customers contact?
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and place orders via GMW's water ordering system, WaterLINE. Find out more about WaterLINE on GMW's website or contact one of our Water Systems Operators on 1300 469 469.