Background - Autumn 2025 Loddon Valley Irrigation Area rationing event
Customers in the rationed area of the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area are part of the Goulburn system. After confirming it would not affect access for other impacted customers, we allowed use of Loddon (trading zone 5A) water by customers with tagged accounts.
While water from the Loddon River went to customers located to the west of the river, customers between regulator PH.710 and the Loddon Weir could also receive zone 5A water. This was possible because of water accounting between the Goulburn and Loddon systems.
With Loddon water supplying some customers, there was less demand being met by the Goulburn system through the Waranga Western Channel. Keeping the Waranga Western Channel at capacity helped maximise the amount of water available for customers who were rationed. Accounting for the two supply sources allows customers east of the Loddon River to receive deliveries from tagged allocation accounts linked to zone 5A.
Working examples
If a Loddon Valley customer east of the Loddon River ordered 10 ML from their Loddon account (i.e. sourcing zone 5A water), this would be met from water in the Waranga Western Channel. This would mean the flow passing into the Loddon Weir pool would be 10 ML lower than if they couldn’t access this water. To offset this, GMW would deliver 10 ML to the Loddon Weir pool from the Loddon storages (i.e. the volume available to meet orders west of the Loddon River would remain the same).
If a Loddon Valley customer west of the Loddon River ordered 10 ML from their Loddon account (i.e. sourcing zone 5A water), GMW would deliver 10 ML to the Loddon Weir pool from the Loddon storages to meet this order. This would mean an additional 10 ML could be delivered in Loddon Valley by this Loddon system water source being utilised.
2025/26 irrigation season
In a rationing event, customers in the affected area may access additional water from the Loddon water system (trading zone 5A), subject to trading rules.
We are asking customers to plan ahead for their water needs - this includes exploring your options for an alternative water source by buying water from the Loddon water system (trading zone 5A) tagged to your service point. Please contact our Water Trading team on 1800 013 357 if you would like more information about this option.
Eligibility criteria
To explore this option, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a customer in the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area ration area.
- You must have a tagged 5A/1A or 5A/1B allocation account (ABA) set up and linked to the Service Point(s) where you want to take water.
- If you already have a tagged allocation account, you will need to make sure you have sufficient allocation available.
- If you do not have a tagged allocation account, you will need to apply for an account by completing a Form 43 - Application for a new allocation account, and a Form 40 - Application to Link Multiple Water Shares and/or Multiple Water-Use Licences to a Single Allocation Account to link the allocation account to your Water Use Licence.
- These forms are available on the Victorian Water Register website, and need to be submitted to GMW for processing via the email addresses noted on the forms.
Next steps and how to place an order
- Once you have received confirmation that your ABA has been created and linked to your Water Use Licence, and you may need to trade allocation into this account (subject to trading rules and availability). Please speak to a water broker regarding the availability of 5A allocation.
- If you wish to have water delivered from Zone 5A, you will need to contact GMW via taggedorders@gmwater.com.au with the following mandatory order details:
- Confirmation of your agreement to the below terms and conditions
- Name
- WaterLINE user number
- Phone number
- Service Point
- ABA
- Start time/date
- Duration
- Flow rate
Please note:
- A minimum of five days’ notice is required to lodge an order.
- Orders must be lodged via the above process and cannot be lodged via WaterLINE. Order amendments must also be manually facilitated by GMW.
- The maximum order notice is 14 days in advance.
- Once received, GMW aims to process application forms within two business days.
- The Form 40 - Application to Link Multiple Water Shares and/or Multiple Water-Use Licences to a Single Allocation Account application fee is $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.
If GMW determines that your order can be delivered without affecting other customers, GMW will contact you to let you know your order has been approved.
Terms and conditions
- GMW cannot guarantee the delivery of unrationed or unrestricted water sourced from the Loddon water system (zone 5A) in the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area.
- Customers agree that GMW will place the manual order on their behalf, outside of GMW’s WaterLINE system. All order changes will also need to be requested via contact with GMW.
- GMW will consider all manual orders requested and determine if water can be delivered.
- GMW will notify customers of its decision on order requests and confirm with customers the manually placed orders.
- GMW will continue to monitor the situation in the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area and orders may be changed to facilitate fair and equitable water deliveries to customers. Customers will be notified by GMW of any change/s made to an approved order.
- Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) protects your privacy by collecting and handling your personal information in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy & Data Protection Act 2014. When placing a manual order for water delivery, your personal information will be collected and used for the purpose of administering your water order, updating our records and updating the Victorian Water Register (if applicable). Information collected is usually disclosed to staff involved in processing your order, contractors, connection staff, other relevant GMW staff and government departments. Failure to provide the information sought may result in processing delays or non-acceptance of your water order. It may also limit our ability to be able to provide various programs or services. You may gain access to and correct your personal information. For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy at www.g-mwater.com.au or call 1800 013 357 to obtain a copy of this policy.