Forms
Check which rural water corporation your property is in.
Click here to see who your rural water corporation is.
Would you like a copy of your licence?
To get a copy of you licence complete the Application to get a copy of your licence or visit the water register website.
Freedom of Information
You can request access to documents held by Southern Rural Water by applying under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Before making a request, we suggest that you:
- Visit the Victorian Government FOI Website
Making a request
A request for access to documents must be in writing and include payment of a $28.90 application fee. Applicants may elect to use the Freedom of Information Request application form
All requests should be addressed to:
Freedom of Information Officer
Southern Rural Water
PO Box 153
MAFFRA VIC 3860
What to include in a request
You need to provide enough information for the documents you seek to be identified.
Requests should be specific and as clear as possible.
If you write your request too broadly, access to the documents sought may be refused or you may be charged for documents which you do not intend to receive.
Fees and charges
Include payment for the application fee by:
- Sending a personal or bank cheques, made payable to Southern Rural Water
- Pay by credit card (contact us)
- Ask about waiving the fee if you are on a concession and can provide proof
In addition to the application fee, additional charges may be payable for photocopying, search time and other forms of access. You will be notified if these charges are likely to exceed $50 and asked if you wish to proceed. If the charge is less than $50, we will let you know the final charges after we process your request when we send you our decision.
You can ask for the application fee to be waived if payment of the fee would cause you financial hardship.
What’s exempt:
Some documents are exempt from release, for example if they:
- Contain trade secrets
- May affect legal proceedings
- Affect personal privacy
- Have been submitted to State Cabinet
Response
In most cases Southern Rural Water is required to provide you with a response within 45 day after receiving a valid request.
If your request is unclear you may be asked to resubmit it so the documents you wish to access can be identified.
If a decision is made to deny access to part or all of the documents sought, you will be provided with reasons and notified how a review of the decision may be sought.
Further information
Contact the Freedom of Information Officer by telephone on 1300 139 510 or by email foi@srw.com.au.
Part II statement
Part II of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 requires the Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner to publish a range of information about our organisation, its functions and procedures, the types of documents we keep, reports and publications, and FOI arrangements.
This information is provided below. Information about our organisation and functions can be found on our website and our Annual Report. To locate the specific information you require, please view the site map for this site or utilise the search functions provided.
Statement 1 - Organisation and function
For information with respect to Southern Rural Water, its functions and organisation structure please refer to our website www.srw.com.au
The organisation creates a large number of documents and records in the course of its work. The department uses an electronic document and records management system to classify, store, access and manage a broad range of electronic and hard copy documents.
Statement 2 - Categories of documents
We create a range of documents, including:
- policy, procedures and standards
- briefings and reports
- registers
- correspondence
- applications and licences
- meeting records
- financial records
- audio-visual material.
Document categories
Our documents are organised under the following broad categories:
- Assets
- Communications
- Corporate
- Customer Service
- Distribution Assets
- Environmental
- Finance
- Groundwater
- Information Services
- Information Technology
- Irrigation
- Meetings
- Property/Service
- Risk Management
- Rivers
- Water Resource Management
The above examples are not an exhaustive list and provide a snapshot of information available.
Statement 3 - Freedom of information arrangements
Under the FOI Act, you have a right to request information and access documents about your personal affairs and in certain cases, our activities.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests must be lodged in writing to the relevant agency in possession of the documents. Request for documents in possession of Southern Rural Water should be made to:
FOI Officer
Southern Rural Water
PO Box 153
MAFFRA VIC 3860
Further information about making a request for access to documents is available above.
Statement 4 - Publications
Publications of Southern Rural Water can be accessed and downloaded from our website. These include:
- Rural Water Outlooks
- Macalister Irrigation Area Weekly Snapshot
- Atlases
- Board Bulletins
- Brochures
- Today Tomorrow Newsletters
- District Updates
- Local Water Reports
- Diversion Newsletters
- Drill Torque Newsletters
- Technical Reports
If you are interested in a specific topic:
- conduct a full search of our websites
- write to:
Manager Business Services
Southern Rural Water
PO Box 153
Maffra Vic 3860
Statement 5 - Rules, policies and procedures
Our Office also has a range of policies and procedures to govern its daily operations and support the administrative functions of the FOI Commissioner. These include:
See Policies at Acts, Regulations and Policies
- Asset Management Policy
- Allocation Trading Policy
- Circumstance under which a Groundwater Licence Fee is not charged for Dewatering Policy
- Compliance Policy
- Dam Safety Management Policy
- Disclosure of Water Market Information
- Environmental Policy
- Financial Governance Policy
- Fraud Prevention Policy
- Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy
- Interstate and Overseas Travel Policy
- Managing the Thomson Bulk Entitlement
- Motor Vehicle Policy
- OHS Policy
- Privacy Policy
- Public Consultation on Applications
- Raw Drinking Water Policy
- Risk Management Policy
- Voluntary Irrigation Supply System Rationalisation Policy
- Water Trading by Directors Employees and Related Parties
- Sale of unallocated water in unregulated system policy
- Conflict of interest
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Traditional Owners Policy
See Gift Register at Acts, Regulations and Policies
- Gift Register
See By-Laws at Acts, Regulations and Policies
- By-Law – Irrigation Period 2011
- By-Law – Recreational Areas
Rules and Plans
Our team regularly reviews all of our policies and procedures.
If you are searching for a specific topic, more thorough results may be obtained by conducting a full search of our website or by contacting us directly.
Statement 6 - Report literature
This section illustrates examples of where Southern Rural Water publishes final reports and records of decisions relating to policy.
These include:
- Corporate Plan
- Annual Reports Corporate
- Annual Reports Other
- Water Plan
- Statement of Obligations
Forms - Groundwater
Forms
Take and use domestic and stock water from a bore
New or amended groundwater licence
Temporary or permanent water transfer
Dispose of matter through means of a bore
Surrender a groundwater licence
Renew your groundwater licence
Transfer licence ownership on sale of land (PDF 152 Kb)
Application to amalgamate (PDF 174 Kb)
Forms - Bores
Forms
Online application for a Domestic and stock or investigation bore
Construct or alter a domestic and stock bore
Alter an investigation or observation bore
Decommission a bore
Bore Construction Licence Transfer
Construct or alter a licensed bore and to take and use groundwater
Will your bore water be contaminated?
Many areas around Victoria but mainly metropolitan Melbourne have been identified as having polluted groundwater. Use the EPA search tool to identify any Groundwater Quality Restricted Use Zones (GQRUZ) near your address. If your address is near a GQRUZ, the EPA tool will advise what the water can be used for. You are responsible for ensuring that groundwater you use is suitable for its purpose and for treating the water if necessary. Also, the EPA also has a Priority Sites Register which lists sites where a ‘Clean Up’ notice or ‘Pollution Abatement’ notice has been issued. All questions regarding information at these sites should be directed to the EPA on 1300 372 842.
If you are in an area serviced by septic systems, groundwater pollution must also be considered.
Groundwater pollution from septic tanks may occur in unsewered areas. Investigations have found bacteria and nitrate contamination in aquifers that are used for groundwater extraction by private bore owners. New bores may need to be placed away from any treatment systems. Please read our fact sheet, Constructing a bore, or contact your local council for information on placement of a bore on your property.
Testing of water quality
Bore water should be tested to make sure its suitable for its intended use.
Advice can be found at: The Department of Health - if the water is for drinking or growing food at home.
Are you planning on constructing a bore near any of the Melbourne Metro rail project sites?
If you are planning on constructing a bore along the route or near any of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project, please refer to the Melbourne Metro Rail Project web site http://mmrailproject.vic.gov.au/ to obtain information about their planned drilling and monitoring programs in your area. Questions about groundwater and the MM Rail Project should be directed to 1800 551 927.
Forms - rivers and creeks
Forms - Private Dams
Application forms
Other Applications
Drainage diversion agreements and private works
For a new drainage diversion agreement to transfer or renew you existing one contact us.
Drillers licence
2018-19 Drillers Licensing Book
Information statements
Information Statements are available by applying online at the Landata website: www.landata.vic.gov.au/ or by using our application form below.
Information Statement Application Fee $112
Other applications
Direct debit
Change of address
Credit card authorisation final
Please Note: We are unable to change your address in any of our systems unless this form has been completed, signed and returned to Southern Rural Water.
Online Chat
Other Pages of Interest
SRW Sites
Keep up to date and subscribe now
If you would like to receive newsletters from Southern Rural Water, please sign up here.
WaterMatch - online trading
Watermatch is a free online service, designed to help people trade water.
Once you have registered, you can advertise to buy or sell water.
Depending on the water that you wish to trade, choose from the Groundwater, Surface Water (rivers and creeks) and Irrigation District forum.
Select a new topic to create your ad. Your ad can be to buy or sell water, and must describe the source of your water, quantity of water you want to buy or sell, how long you want to trade for and your contact details. If you are happy to put a buying or selling price, this can be included here too.
If you want to respond to an ad, you can use the email link or contact the advertiser direct.
It is an online trading forum, and can also be used by people who are not on the internet, with help from our staff.
Watermatch allows you to register your interest in either buying or selling water in southern Victoria.
- the Macalister, Werribee and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District
- Groundwater systems in southern Victoria
- Rivers and creek systems in southern Victoria (other than those managed by Melbourne Water around the Port Phillip region).
Who can use it?
Anyone can use watermatch. You may be an existing licence holder who wants to sell water, or buy more water.
You may not currently have a licence, but you want to buy water in the region.
How does it work?
- click here to enter Watermatch
- register as a user (a very simple process)
- go to the system or district you are interested in and check current entries
- add in any entry for any water you want to sell or buy
What information should I include in my ad?
- If you are wanting to buy or sell
- your name
- phone number
- name of river, creek, groundwater management area or irrigation district
- how much water is to be traded
- If the trade is temporary or permanent
- term of the trade (Maximum term is 5 years)
Things you need to know
We are always looking for ways to improve our customer service. If you would like to provide feedack or suggested improvements please click here.
it's important to note that Southern Rural Water is not acting, and will not act, as a water broker.
We cannot advise you on price of water or match you individually with a buyer/seller.
Buyers and sellers still need to go through our normal application process.
Trading applications must be submitted to Southern Rural Water and approval granted before water is taken. A water transfer application form can be downloaded from our application page.
If you want to trade upstream, please speak with one of our Assessment Officers prior to submitting an application.
To check if a buyer or seller can trade with you, call us on 1300 139 510 and ask to speak to an Assessment Officer.
Not a water broker
It's important to note that Southern Rural Water is not acting, and will not act, as a water broker.
We cannot advise you on price of water or match you individually with a buyer/seller.
Buyers and sellers still need to go through our normal application process.