Framework for water-take fairness

NEW legislation to further protect water users’ entitlements will come into effect next month.

The Place of Take Approvals framework will ensure all entitlement holders will maintain their rights to take water in the rare event that river rationing is necessary.

It is effective from November 20 for the regulated Murray, Goulburn, Ovens, Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook systems.

River rationing is uncommon, however in the Murray system, delivering water downstream of Barmah Choke to entitlement holders at the time of want is getting harder due to the capacity of the choke declining and customers’ needs changing.

The Murray is actively managed to avoid rationing; however the risk cannot be managed to zero.

The last time irrigators needed to be rationed was in 2002.

GMW water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said the Place of Take Approvals framework will ensure equity among customers when rationing can’t be avoided.

“GMW has worked closely with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to implement the new framework,” he said.

“We believe the framework will benefit our customers, particularly those in the Murray.

“The Place of Take Approvals framework will ensure that in those rare instances where all orders cannot be fully met, the available water will be shared between water entitlement holders.

“This will provide entitlement holders greater flexibility when managing their own delivery risks.”

During times of river rationing, water use will temporarily be restricted in proportion to customers’ delivery or extraction share.

Mr Blyth encouraged customers in the relevant areas to understand the implications of the changes.

“It is important people are aware of their water delivery rights before rationing occurs,” he said.

“Knowing your entitlements and how river rationing will affect them will help ensure you can manage the deliveries you need.”

More information about the Place of Take Approvals framework can be found at the Victorian Water Register website: bitly.ws/VFcf