The Victorian Government has extended its review of Goulburn to Murray water trade arrangements.

In May 2019, the Victorian Government announced a review of the Goulburn to Murray inter-valley trade (IVT) rule to better protect the lower Goulburn River from unseasonal high flows of traded water to downstream users.

The state’s Minister for Water has announced that timelines for this review are being extended to give businesses more time to plan for new trade arrangements and to provide more opportunity for consultation on options later this year.

Minister for Water Lisa Neville also announced that the river operator – the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) – has agreed to aim for Goulburn to Murray inter-valley trade deliveries of a maximum of 40 gigalitres a month or less over summer and autumn to stop further environmental damage to the Goulburn River.

With 40 gigalitres a month in the Goulburn, the MDBA has said there is no indication that a shortfall will occur in the coming year. The MDBA’s Annual Operating Outlook indicates this can be achieved through management of the system and use of tributaries such as the Murrumbidgee.

To provide certainty for water users this irrigation season, the 2019 interim trade measures designed to ensure a level playing field for irrigators will be extended, including seeking to extend the interim regulations for tagged accounts so that all trades are treated the same when limits are applied.

In response to feedback from communities during the first round of consultation on changes to Goulburn to Murray trade arrangements, new rules are now scheduled to come into effect on 1 July 2021.

“My key priority will continue to be meeting the needs of irrigators while limiting environmental damage,” Ms Neville said.

“With increasing demands and less inflows to the system – doing nothing is not an option. We are working with the MDBA to ensure irrigators receive their water while achieving lower flows in the Goulburn.”