If you wish to participate in an upcoming water auction visit our trading platform.
Latrobe 3-4 Bench auction
On Thursday, 17 April, the Minister for Water, Gayle Tierney MP, announced 16 gigalitres (GL) of water for farming, the environment, and Traditional Owners in the Latrobe Valley.
This water was previously set aside for power generation and was unused. It has now been reallocated and will be equally shared between agriculture, Traditional Owners and the environment.
This means a Bulk Entitlement for 5.333 GL was granted to Southern Rural Water to support operations, expansion or drought-proofing for irrigators in the Latrobe region.
We ran an expression of interest process between June and July for Latrobe Valley farmers for the additional water allocation and received 45 eligible expressions.
The volume of water sought during the expression of interest exceeded the volume available and we will hold an online auction on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 beginning at 10am on Southern Rural Water Exchange.
Only those assessed through the expression of interest process as being eligible can participate in the auction.
We are selling 4.37 GL in a variety of water entitlement volumes called ‘lots’ to suit different buyer needs. Lot sizes will be available to view by eligible auction participants on the Southern Rural Water Exchange one week prior to the auction.
The remaining 963 ML will be kept for operational purposes to ensure that the new licences issued as part of this auction are subject to the same reliability, conditions and operational arrangements as the existing licences.
We will set a reserve price based on historical value and expenses, thereafter the market will decide the price.
Lots will be issued as Section 51 Take and Use Licences, with relevant Section 67 licences to construct and operate works that will detail the maximum annual volume, the rate of extraction, and any seasonal restrictions appliable to the licence.
Successful bidders must meet relevant licencing requirements under the Water Act 1989, including complete Section 40 assessments before the relevant licences are granted.
Licences will be issued after bidders have met all licencing requirements, which may take between three to twelve months depending on the complexity of the application.
More information
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What is being sold?
Southern Rural Water will sell 4.37 gigalitres (GL) of water allocation downstream of Blue Rock Dam on the Latrobe rivers.
We are selling the water allocation over 25 lots in a variety of water entitlement volumes to suit different buyer needs.
This water sale will take place via an online auction on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 beginning at 10am and concluding at 2:10pm on Southern Rural Water Exchange.
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The Bulk Entitlement was for 5.333GL, why are you selling a different volume?
Southern Rural Water has determined that there will be 4.37 GL for sale to ensure there is no impact to current licence holders water access arrangements and reliability. New licences holders will be able to enter the system on an equal footing to existing licences, and Southern Rural Water can maintain the current operating arrangements, including the provision of off-quota water if conditions allow.
The remaining water may be sold in the future if licence holders wish to explore different operating arrangements.
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How has this water become available?
On Thursday 17 April, the Minister for Water, Gayle Tierney MP, announced 16 GL of water previously set aside for power generation will be allocated and shared equally to supply agriculture, Traditional Owners and the environment. The decision was made through the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy.
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When will the water sale take place?
The water sale will take place on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 at 10am and run as an online auction on Southern Rural Water Exchange. All lots will open at 10am and will close in 10 minute increments. The auction should be finalised by 2:10pm.
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When will participants find out the lot sizes available for auction?
We will release an auction schedule on Southern Rural Water Exchange that includes the size and time of release for water lots at least one week prior to the auction.
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Who can participate in the water sale?
Only those assessed through the Expression of Interest process as being eligible can participate in the auction.
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How do I register to participate in the auction?
Southern Rual Water will provide basic information of eligible parties to Water Partners, and they will register each individual on the platform. Once registered you will receive an email from Water Partners and you will be able to access the auction website.
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Can I participate in the auction if I didn’t submit an expression of interest?
No. We ran an expression of interest process between June and July to allow farmers to register their interest and provide evidence to support their eligibility for water under the Water Act 1989.
We have reviewed all expression of interest submissions and completed the necessary checks required so only eligible farmers can take part in the auction. This process supports a smooth, fair auction and ensures only farmers who meet the requirements can bid and secure water.
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Why are you selling this water?
The water was made available from entitlement known as the Latrobe 3-4 Bench Bulk Water Entitlement. This was created in 1996 for future use in coal-fired power generation. However, following closure plans for the Latrobe Valley mines, a decision to reallocate 16 GL of the 25 GL water entitlement was made through the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy.
Irrigators along the Latrobe have been asking for more water to boost production and the local economy for some time, so we’re pleased to be able to offer this water to them.
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What is the expected megalitre price?
We will set a reserve price to apply on a per megalitre basis, thereafter the market will decide the price. Southern Rural Water is not able to provide an estimate of the expected price. Prospective buyers are encouraged to conduct their own research prior to the sale.
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What are the auction fees?
Buyer fees will be applicable, and a fee schedule can be found on the Southern Rural Water Exchange website.
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How many lots are being sold?
We are selling the water allocation over 25 lots in a variety of volumes to suit different buyer needs. Lots will be issued as Section 51 Take and Use Licences that will be granted pending successful bidders meeting all requirements under the Water Act 1989.
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How will the auction run?
The Southern Rural Water Exchange auction platform is like other online auction sites such as Ebay. All lots will open at 10:00am on Tuesday 28 October, and will close in ten-minute increments consecutively until the final lot closes at 2:10pm.
Bids will be for the total lot volume. You can bid multiple times during the auction by:
- submitting a “Quick Bid” to automatically increase your bid by the bid increment; or
- submitting a “Maximum Bid” amount to allow the system to automatically bid on your behalf up to the nominated maximum bid amount.
Bidding increments will vary depending on the size of the lot. The increment will be published against each lot.
If a lot fails to meet reserve, it will close, and the water will be available to purchase off the shelf.
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How do I pay for the water?
Payments will be taken via the Southern Rural Water Exchange and facilitated by Water Partners Australia.
A deposit of 20 percent of total sale price is required within five business days of the auction. The remaining value will be requested immediately prior to the issue of licences.
If for any reason we are unable to issue the licence, we will retain the relevant application fee, and refunded all other monies.
The application fee is determined using the relevant ‘fixed’ component, plus the volumetric component multiplied by the volume applied for- Fixed Component – Volume up to 20ML (each) 2,055.48
- Fixed Component – Medium Impact (each) 2,586.54
- Fixed Component – High Impact (each) 4,167.20
- Volumetric Component (ML) 25.36
Example: if someone buys/applies for for 150ML and it is considered high impact, the total fee retained and non-refundable is $4,167.20 + (150 x $25.36) = $7,971.20.
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What is the process after I’ve successfully bid on water?
If successful, a deposit of 20 percent is required within five business days of auction.
As a next step, we need to assess a successful bidder’s application for water, and this involves completing an initial review of what’s needed to meet the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s (WGCMA) requirements and process.
We will then provide direct and individual advice to each successful bidder on the information and processes needed to support the assessment for the volume of water they purchased at auction.
It’s worth noting that licence assessment can take around eight weeks to complete for a simple application or small volume of water and up to 12 months for large volumes or more complex applications. So, before we start undertaking a licence assessment, we will request that each party agree to the terms.
When we are ready to issue a Section 51 Licence, with relevant Section 67 licences, you will be requested to pay the balance of money owing for your water allocation.
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When will my allocation be available for use?
Lots will be issued as Section 51 Take and Use licences, with relevant Section 67 licences to construct and operate works that will detail the maximum annual volume, the rate of extraction, and any seasonal restrictions appliable to the licence.
Water allocation will be available after bidders have met all licencing requirements, which may take between three to twelve months depending on the complexity of the application.
Successful bidders must meet relevant licencing requirements under the Water Act 1989 before Section 51 Take and Use licences are granted.
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If there is water that is not sold at the auction, what happens to it?
Water that is not sold will be available for purchase on the Southern Rural Water Exchange platform. The price will be set at the highest price paid per megalitre at the Tuesday 28 October auction.
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What provisions are available for those who don’t have online access?
This auction will be held on a dedicated online trading platform. Those who have been pre-assessed and are eligible to participate will be given a login and access to bid via the auction online. If you require online assistance, you can contact Water Partners in advance of the auction to make suitable arrangements.
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How does the Latrobe River operate and how do I access the water?
The new licences will be issued under a Bulk Entitlement which determines how much water can be taken from the Lake Blue Rock reservoir, Lake Narracan reservoir and from the Tanjil and Latrobe rivers.
The new licences will operate in exactly the same way as existing licences on the Latrobe system. Customers order water via Southern Rural Water’s online water ordering system. Southern Rural Water will then undertake operational assessments to determine whether the order can be met from the river flows or whether water needs to be released from the reservoirs.
Once your order has been approved, you will be able to pump water from the river through an approved Section 67 licence with an appropriate meter. All water taken from the system is metered and accounted for against your licence volume.
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How will this allocation work in the context of off-quota water currently available on the Latrobe River?
The new licences will operate in exactly the same way as the existing licences. Because only 4,370ML is being sold, Southern Rural Water can continue to allow a volume of off-quota water if river flow conditions meet the set trigger points without impacting water reliability for new or existing licence holders.
South west Victoria groundwater auction
Expressions of interest closed at 4pm Friday, 2 May, 2025 for securing groundwater in Lower Tertiary Aquifers (the Dilwyn Formation and deeper aquifers) within the boundary of the Warrnambool Zone and Dilwyn Formation (Lower Tertiary Aquifer) Paaratte Groundwater Management Area (GMA).
We have finalised the initial assessment of the expressions of interest received and due to the level of interest indicated, Southern Rural Water will be holding a water auction in both the Warrnambool Zone and the Paaratte Groundwater Management Area to distribute the available water in a way that promotes fairness.
The auctions will be held on Wednesday, 12 November. The Warrnambool Zone auction will start at 10am, while the Paaratte GMA auction will start at 11am.
An auction schedule will be available on the Southern Rural Water Exchange platform one week before the auction. This includes information on the size and time of release for water lots.
Important note: If individuals are successful in securing water at the auction, this does not guarantee Southern Rural Water will be able to issue a licence as this is dependent on the outcome of a full licence assessment process which could include hydrogeological assessments or pumping tests.
Due to this uncertainty, those successful at auction will not be required to pay the full purchase price immediately, however there will be a non-refundable deposit required to ensure Southern Rural Water can adequately recover the costs of the assessment process.
Warrnambool Zone
The total allocation available is 5,000 megalitres. Please note this aquifer is generally deeper than 400 metres below the surface, and it would require substantial time and financial investment to secure all relevant licences and install a bore to access this groundwater.
The boundary of the Warrnambool Zone is shown in the map. To be eligible you must own or occupy property within this boundary. If you are unsure if your property is within the boundary, please contact us and we can make an assessment.
Read our Warrnambool technical information sheet for details on boundaries, approximate depth to the top of the aquifer, and potential yield and salinity.
Paaratte GMA
The total allocation available is 1,400 megalitres. Please note this aquifer is generally deeper than 400 metres below the surface, and it would require substantial time and financial investment to secure all relevant licences and install a bore to access this groundwater.
The boundary of the Paaratte GMA is shown in the map. To be eligible you must own or occupy property within this boundary. If you are unsure if your property is within the boundary, please contact us and we can make an assessment.
Read our Paaratte technical information sheet for details on boundaries, approximate depth to the top of the aquifer, and potential yield and salinity.
FAQS
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What water is available?
5,000 megalitres is available in the Warrnambool Zone of the Lower Tertiary Aquifer system (this includes the Dilwyn Formation and other deeper aquifers) and 1,400 megalitres in the Paaratte Groundwater Management Area (GMA) – this is within the Dilwyn Formation only.
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How deep is the aquifer?
Drilling depths to the top of the Dilwyn Aquifer vary depending on location.
The Paaratte GMA targets the confined Dilwyn Formation. Depths are greater than 120m in the east around the Swan Marsh and Irrewillipe areas and deepen moving west with the top of the aquifer over 400m below surface at the coast.
In the Warrnambool Zone, a limited number of deep production bores have been constructed in the Dilwyn formation across south west Victoria. Drilling depths are likely to vary between 500m and 1,000m+. The aquifer is generally deeper than 400m below the surface.
To understand likely drilling depths, please contact Southern Rural Water on 1300 139 510.
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How do I express an interest in securing groundwater?
Expressions of interest have now closed.
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Can I participate in the auction if I didn’t submit an expression of interest?
No. We ran an expression of interest process between March and May to allow farmers to register their interest and provide evidence to support their eligibility for water under the Water Act 1989.
We have reviewed all EOI submissions and completed the necessary checks required so only eligible farmers can take part in the auction. This process supports a smooth, fair auction and ensures only farmers who meet the requirements can bid and secure water.
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When will the water sale take place?
The water sale will take place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 10am and run as an online auction on Southern Rural Water Exchange. The Warrnambool auction will start at 10am, while the Paaratte auction will start at 11am.
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When will participants find out the lot sizes available for auction?
We will release an auction schedule on Southern Rural Water Exchange that includes the size and time of release for water lots at least one week prior to the auction. This information will be available on the Southern Rural Water Exchange platform.
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Who can participate in the water sale?
Only those assessed through the Expression of Interest process as being eligible can participate in the auction.
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How do I register to participate in the auction?
Southern Rural Water will provide basic information of eligible parties directly to Water Partners, and they will register each individual on the platform. Once registered you will receive an email from Water Partners and you will be able to access the auction website.
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Why are you selling this water?
The water is available under the current Permissible Consumptive Volumes of each area. The 5,000 ML available in the Warrnambool Zone has previously been through an auction process which was not successful. Over the past two years, interest in securing water in these areas has increased.
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What is the expected megalitre price?
We will set a reserve price to apply on a per megalitre basis, thereafter the market will decide the price. Southern Rural Water is not able to provide an estimate of the expected price. Prospective buyers are encouraged to conduct their own research prior to the sale.
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What are the auction fees?
Buyer fees will be applicable, and a fee schedule can be found on the Southern Rural Water Exchange website.
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How many lots are being sold?
We are selling the water allocation over seven lots (four in the Paaratte GMA and three in the Warrnambool Zone) in a variety of volumes to suit different buyer needs. Lots will be issued as Section 51 Take and Use Licences that will be granted pending successful bidders meeting all requirements under the Water Act 1989.
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How will the auction run?
The Southern Rural Water Exchange auction platform is like other online auction sites such as Ebay. Lots will open at 10am on Wednesday, 12 November, and will close in 10-minute increments consecutively until the final lot closes. The Warrnambool Zone auction will start at 10am, while the Paaratte auction will start at 11am.
Bids will be for the total lot volume. You can bid multiple times during the auction by:
- Submitting a ‘Quick Bid’ to automatically increase your bid by the bid increment; or
- Submitting a ‘Maximum Bid’ amount to allow the system to automatically bid on your behalf up to the nominated maximum bid amount.
Bidding increments will vary depending on the size of the lot. The increment will be published against each lot.
If a lot fails to meet reserve, it will close, and the water will be available to purchase off the shelf.
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How do I pay for the water?
Payments will be taken via the Southern Rural Water Exchange and facilitated by Water Partners Australia.
A deposit of 20 percent of total sale price is required within five business days of the auction with the balance payable when we are ready to issue a Section 51 licence and relevant Section 67 licences.
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What is the process after I’ve successfully bid on water
If successful, a deposit of 20 percent is required within five business days of auction.
As a next step, we need to assess a successful bidder’s application for water, including an assessment of likely requirements of the relevant Catchment Management Authority. Southern Rural Water will then provide direct and individual advice to each successful bidder on the information and processes needed to support the assessment for the volume of water they purchased at auction.
It’s worth noting that licence assessment can take around eight weeks to complete for a simple application or small volume of water and up to 12 months for large volumes or more complex applications. So, before we start undertaking a licence assessment, we will request that each party agree to the terms.
When we are ready to issue a section 51 Licence, with relevant Section 67 licences, you will be requested to pay the balance of money owing for your water allocation.
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When will my allocation be available for use?
Lots will be issued as Section 51 Take and Use licences, with relevant Section 67 licences to construct and operate works that will detail the maximum annual volume, the rate of extraction, and any seasonal restrictions appliable to the licence.
Water allocation will be available after bidders have met all licencing requirements, which may take between three to 12 months depending on the complexity of the application.
Successful bidders must meet relevant licencing requirements under the Water Act 1989 before Section 51 Take and Use licences are granted.
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What technical information is required to support an application?
This can vary depending on the complexity and magnitude of the application. At a minimum, we require a desktop hydrogeological assessment to provide information around the likely impact of the intended water use on surrounding users, and the environment.
Depending on the nature of your application, you may be required to do a pump test to help us better understand impacts on other users, prepare an irrigation drainage plan and possibly secure Environmental Protection Agency waste approvals.
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What does the licence assessment process involve?
Under The Water Act 1989, Southern Rural Water are required by law to undertake an assessment of all licence applications against matters defined by Section 40 of the Act. These matters include but are not limited to the existing and projected water availability and quality, impacts on other users, including the environment, the Permissible Consumptive Volume of the area, the drainage regime, water to which the applicant is already entitled and any relevant policies of the day.
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How much will this water cost to access?
The water resource is located deep beneath the surface. The cost to secure the relevant licences and drill a bore to access this groundwater is likely to be significant.
You will need to use the service of hydrogeological consultants to help prepare application materials. The fees of consultants can vary and will depend on the scope of work required.
The cost to drill a production bore in these deep aquifers could be in the range of $500,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the depth of the bore and the materials used. We advise seeking advice from a driller to get greater certainty on these costs.
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What are the ongoing costs associated with purchasing this water?
The market will decide the price of water at the auction. Ongoing fees are required on an annual basis to ensure legal access
These are set out below:
- Fixed Licence Fee - $428.96
- Volumetric - $4.71 per megalitre
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If there is water that is not sold at the auction, what happens to it?
Water that is not sold will be available for purchase on the Southern Rural Water Exchange platform. The price will be set at the highest price paid per megalitre at the Wednesday, 12 November auction .
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What provisions are available for those who don’t have online access?
This auction will be held on a dedicated online trading platform. Those who have been pre-assessed and are eligible to participate will be given a login and access to bid via the auction online. If you require online assistance, you can contact Water Partners in advance of the auction to make suitable arrangements.
Water sales
From time to time, Southern Rural Water is able to offer additional water for sale from its storages or through groundwater and surface water opportunities.
Opportunities to acquire new water entitlements
Southern Rural Water is able to offer additional water for sale through two main sources:
- Southern Rural Water is achieving water savings from the modernisation of its districts. Some of these savings are made available to customers as either temporary allocations or permanent water shares.
- New groundwater or surface water entitlements are available where the current licensed volume is lower than the specified limit.
The preferred government policy is to release this water via a sales process, to ensure equity. In the case of new groundwater and surface water entitlements, the sale process is usually preceded by an application process to determine the level of demand.
The water is typically sold via an auction, although sometimes water is placed ‘on-the-shelf (i.e. customers can apply for it at a predetermined fixed rate or ‘reserve’ price). Water not sold at auction is typically placed ‘on-the-shelf.’
The following principles guide the sales process:
- Maximise availability: we will make water available as soon as possible, having regard to ease of provision and market conditions. This may involve a series of permanent (share) sales and temporary (allocation) sales in order to put the water into production.
- Maximise the uptake: we seek to maximise the uptake by promoting sales and encouraging customer participation.
- Fair market price: water will be sold at a fair price, having regard to the costs associated in making the water available (e.g. cost associated with resource appraisals, validations and the sales process) and prevailing market conditions.
- Fair and open process: we seek to sell the majority of the water via an open and competitive process (e.g. auction or tender), albeit with the ability to reserve some water for ‘off the shelf sales’.
Each year Southern Rural Water publishes an annual water sales plan.
The volume of water offered varies from year to year and is dependent on a range of factors, including the volume of savings achieved through modernisation, the results of resources assessments and the outcomes of sales from the preceding year.
Irrigation Districts
| Source | Potential pool (water savings ML) | Notes* | 2025-26 | Future planning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 2027-28 | ||||
|
Volume (ML) |
|||||
| Macalister Irrigation District | 21,000 | Future sales pool from balance of phase 1A (1,878ML), estimated phase 1B (10,000ML) and phase 2 (8,000ML). This forecast is consistent with our Price Submission of annual sales of 1,000ML in the Macalister Irrigation District. Demand assessments from existing customers will also inform potential for expansion into other areas (Southern Victoria irrigation Development investigation for the Avon area). |
1,000 High Reliability Water Shares 441 Low Reliability Water Shares |
1,000 High Reliability Water Shares 441 Low Reliability Water Shares |
1,000 High Reliability Water Shares 441 Low Reliability Water Shares |
| Werribee Irrigation District | 5,600 | Water savings are still in the process of being validated and converted to water shares. Once complete. seasonal allocation from the shares will be made available. These water savings are currently supporting the reliability of the system. | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District | 1,200 | Water savings are still in the process of being validated and converted to water shares. Once complete, seasonal allocation from the shares will be made available. These water savings are currently supporting the reliability of the system. | Nil | Nil | Nil |
*The volumes in the tables for the irrigation districts are gross volumes of water savings. The net volume may vary subject to audits and mitigation water requirements. High and low reliability water shares are issued from the water savings at the Minister’s discretion.
The timing of sales is not definite as they are contingent on the Minister’s approval and any conditions e.g. requirements to consult with customers and stakeholders such as traditional owners, and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s resources to process water savings approvals.
Temporary seasonal allocation sales
Potential Allocation Pool (ML)^
| Source | Potential Allocation pool (ML)^ | Notes* | 2025-26 | Future planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume ML |
||||
| Macalister Irrigation District | 878 | Via series of online auctions | 1,278** | |
** Allocation sales volume is contingent upon availability, with potential volumes determined by permanent water sales results.
Groundwater and surface water
Higher priority sales
| Groundwater | Potential pool (ML) | Notes* | 2025-26 |
Future planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume ML |
||||
| Paaratte | 1,447 | Expression of interest in progress. | 1,447 | |
| Warrnambool | 5,000 | Expression of interest in progress. | 5,000 | |
| Newlingrook | 17 | Application pending. Expression of Interest planned 2025-26 | 17 | |
| Corinella | 1,888 | Application pending. Expression of Interest planned 2025-26 | 1,888 | |
| Surface water | Potential pool (ML) | Notes | 2025-26 |
Future planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume ML |
||||
| Other East Gippsland catchments # | 500 | Application pending. Expression of Interest planned 2025-26. | ||
| Latrobe River bulk entitlement reallocation | 6,100 | Spring sale proposed subject to customer consultation and EOI process. Sales likely to be staged with 2000ML available in year 1 with 1000 ML per year subsequently. Unsold water to be available on temporary market. | 2,000 | 1,000 |
Lower priority sales
| Groundwater | Potential pool (ML) | Notes* | 2025-26 |
Future planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume ML |
||||
| Frankston (UT aquifer) | Applications pending. Timing subject to confirmation of T/O interest and process pathway. |
994 | ||
| Boneo (LT aquifer) | 800 | Low opportunity to sell entitlement due to VCAT ruling about re-injection. Central and Gippsland SWS notes that the volume is available subject to the minister declaring the PCV. | 800 | |
| Surface water (winterfill) ^ | Potential pool (ML) * | Notes | 2025-26 |
Future planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume ML |
||||
| Merri River # | 80 | 80 | ||
| Franklin River # | 150 | 150 | ||
| Albert River # | 150 | 150 | ||
| Two coastal areas of the Hopkins Basin (Buckley Creek, Nullawarre, and South of Tower Hill Lake) # | 680 | 680 | ||
| Ten Mile Ck # | 300 | 300 | ||
| Dividing Ck # | 300 | 300 | ||
| Nine Mile & Shady Ck # | 300 | 300 | ||
| Other catchments where water is still available under te SDL # | 500 | 500 | ||
| South Gippsland Basin Coast # | 501 | 501 | ||
| Genoa River # | 500 | 500 | ||
| Cann River # | 500 | 500 | ||
| Bass River # | 300 | Application pending. Timing subject to confirmation of T/O interest and process pathway. |
300 | |
| Powlett River # | 250 | 250 | ||
| Surry River # | 429.9 | Application pending. Timing subject to confirmation of T/O interest and process pathway. |
429.9 | |
| Shaw/Eumeralla Rivers # | 500 | Application pending. Timing subject to confirmation of T/O interest and process pathway. |
500 | |
| Small coastal catchments of the Portland Coast Basin # | 1,200 | 300ML in each of the four small coastal catchments between the Eumeralla River and Darlots Creek, and around Portland and Cape Bridgewater. Applications pending. |
1,200 | |
| Gellibrand River # | 1,000 | Application pending. Flow study in progress. |
1,000 | |
| Johanna, Milanesia & Brown Ck # | 300 | 300 | ||
| Aire River # | 300 | 300 | ||
| Parker to Skenes River # | 300 | 300 | ||
| Tambryn to Aireys Inlet # | 90 | 90 | ||
| Lake Colac # | 2,600 | 2,600 | ||
| Hopkins Basin coast # | 680 | 680 | ||
| Curdies River and the Port Campbell area # | 50 | 50 | ||
* This is subject to Southern Rural Water's water sales policy and any allocations will be allocated consistent with all prevailing government policy including Water is Life.
^ Intention to treat these areas with demand investigations through 2025-2026. Any applications will be treated on their merits.
# Indicates winterfill restrictions apply on the available water.
Private trades
If you need more water, or have spare water, you can seek to buy and sell (or trade, lease or temporarily transfer) water from other SRW customers in your irrigation district, system or zone.
Previous auction results
Water auctions are becoming more common across Southern Rural Water and can be a good way to gain access to extra water either for production or security.
See below for previous water auction results
Please refer to Water trading for more details.
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Previous water auction results
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) permanent water share auction – 2 April 2025
An auction of permanent water shares in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) was conducted online Wednesday 2 April 2025, via the Southern Rural Water Exchange hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 1,000 megalitres (ML) high reliability water shares and 441 ML low reliability water shares were offered across 21 lots. These shares were sold without allocation for the 2024-25 season. The first allocation announcement will happen on 1 July 2025.
Seventy people registered for this auction and there were 15 unique bidders who participated in the online auction with the following results:
- Sixteen of the 21 lots sold.
- Winning bids ranged from $ 3,010 to $2,950.00 per megalitre for the high and low reliability bundled lots, with an average of $ 2,971.00 per megalitre.
- The lots comprising only high reliability shares sold between $3,000 to $ $2,800.00 per megalitre, with an average of $2,860 per megalitre.
The lots comprising only low reliability shares sold between $170 to $213.64 per megalitre, with an average of $191.82 per megalitre.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction – 5 March 2025
The final supplementary seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 750 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across nine parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 50 ML to 100 ML. 200 ML of the 750ML available was successfully sold, with the average winning bids of $14 per ML.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction – 26 February 2025
The sixth of six online auctions of seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 475 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across six parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 50 ML to 100 ML. 50 ML of the 475ML available was successfully sold, with the winning bid of $22 per ML. The unsold parcels with a total volume of 425 ML will be offered in the supplementary auction on Wednesday, 5 March 2025.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction – 12 February 2025
The fifth of six online auctions of seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 475 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across six parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 50 ML to 100 ML. 225 ML of the 475ML available were successfully sold, with winning bids ranging from $14 to $15 per ML, with an average of $14 per ML. The unsold parcels with a total volume of 250 ML will be offered in the supplementary auction on Wednesday, 5 March 2025.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction - 29 January 2025
The fourth of six online auctions of seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 475 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across six parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 50 ML to 100 ML. 400 ML of the 475ML available were successfully sold, with winning bids ranging from $148 to $180 per ML, with an average of $162 per ML. The unsold parcel for 75 ML will be offered in the supplementary auction on Wednesday, 5 March 2025.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction - 8 January 2025
The third of six online auctions of seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 475 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across six parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 50 ML to 100 ML. All parcels were sold, with winning bids ranging from $173 to $205 per ML, with an average of $189 per ML.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction - 11 December 2024
The second of six online auctions of seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 475 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across six parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 50 ML to 100 ML. All parcels were sold, with winning bids ranging from $160 to $175 per ML, with an average of $168 per ML.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) seasonal allocation auction - 27 November 2024
The first of six online auctions of seasonal allocation in the Macalister Irrigation District was conducted via the Southern Rural Water Exchange, hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 522 megalitres (ML) of 2024-25 seasonal allocation were offered across seven parcels, with parcel sizes ranging from 47 ML to 100 ML. All parcels were sold, with winning bids ranging from $161 to $168 per ML, with an average of $165 per ML.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) permanent water share auction - 26 June 2024
An annual auction of permanent water shares in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) was conducted online Wednesday 26 June 2024, via the Southern Rural Water Exchange hosted by Water Partners.
A total of 1,000 megalitres (ML) high reliability water shares and 441 ML low reliability water shares were offered across 21 lots, with allocation from the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
There were 28 unique bidders who participated in the online auction with the following results:
- Winning bids ranged from $1,275 to $1,623 per megalitre for the 50% high and 50% low reliability bundled lots, with an average of $1,480 per megalitre.
- The lots comprising only high reliability shares sold between $3,035 to $3,455 per megalitre, with an average of $3,326 per megalitre.
- The lots comprising only low reliability shares sold between $133 to $275 per megalitre, with an average of $183 per megalitre.
Mitchell River winterfill water auction – 7 Dec 2023
An auction of take and use licences (under section 51) for the remaining 2,000 of unallocated Mitchell River winterfill was opened for 14 eligible bidders who registered via the expression of interest which closed 25 July 2023. The auction took place online on Thursday 7 December 2023.
A total volume of 2,000 megalitres (ML) was offered in 22 lots, ranging in volume from 25ML to 250ML. 14 of the 22 lots reached their reserve and were sold. Winning bids ranged from $630 to $690 per ML. The average price was $651 per ML.
The unsold lots were made available via the Southern Rural Water Exchange for application at the maximum auction price per ML of $690 per ML. All available lots are now accounted for, and no additional water is available in the Mitchell River catchment.
Mitchell River winterfill water auction - 14 May 2021
An auction of take and use licences (under section 51) for unallocated Mitchell River winterfill was opened on Wednesday 5 May 2021, for 24 eligible bidders. The auction was completed over three days from 12-14 May.
A total volume of 1,990 megalitres (ML) was offered in 36 lots, ranging in volume from 30ML to 100ML. All lots had multiple bidders and were sold. Winning bids ranged from $630 to $841 per ML. The average price was $733 per ML.
A total of 10 ML was made available for eligible stock and domestic applicants prior to the auction.
Latrobe River temporary water sale - 27 November 2020
In November, tenders were called for 800ML of temporary water from the Blue Rock Drought Reserve. The water was made available for sale by tender to customers on the Latrobe River system. One lot of 50ML sold for $40 per megalitre.
Macalister Irrigation District (MID) permanent water share auction - 3 April 2020
An annual auction of permanent water shares in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) was conducted online Friday 3 April 2020, through WaterBid.
A total of 92.8 megalitres (ML) high reliability water shares and 48.5 ML low reliability water shares were offered across 15 lots, all with allocation.
Buyers were predominantly dairy, beef and fodder businesses in the MID.
- Winning bids ranged from $2,672.50 to $2,805 per megalitre for the high and low reliability bundled lots, with an average of $2,734.44 per megalitre.
- The lots comprising only high reliability shares sold between $2,555 to $2,658.92 per megalitre, with an average of $2621.28 per megalitre.
Based on the results for the day the market is valuing low reliability water shares at an average of $113 per megalitre.
Dilwyn aquifer allocation auction - December 2019
An auction of section 51 licences for a total allocation of 5,000 ML from the Dilwyn (deep) aquifer, near Warrnambool, were offered to registered bidders over the period from Tuesday 3 December 2019 to Wednesday 11 December 2019. The 15 lots offered ranged in size from 200ML to 500ML. The auction was open for seven days and all lots were passed in after a total of 74 bids were placed, failing to meet the reserve.
Tarwin River winterfill auction - June 2019
An auction of Section 51 take and use licences for Tarwin River winterfill was completed 26-27 June. A total volume of 2,495ML was sold in 38 lots, ranging from 200ML to 5ML. All lots had multiple bidders, with some receiving over 40 bids. Prices ranged from $675 to $1,784 per ML. The average price was $1,494 per ML.
Latrobe River auction - May 2019
A further auction of temporary water from the Blue Rock Drought Reserve was made available for auction to customers on the Latrobe River system. The auction offered 285 ML in 8 lots ranging in size from 10ML to 50 ML. Three lots totalling 200ML sold at auction, with one further lot of 50ML sold off-the-shelf. The water sold for an average of $31 per megalitre.
Bacchus Marsh and Werribee Irrigation District auction - May 2019
An auction for 230 megalitres (ML) of high reliability and 115 ML of low reliability water shares in the Bacchus Marsh and Werribee Irrigation Districts was conducted online between Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 May 2019. The lots were offered as: 26 lots of 5ML of HRWS with 2.5ML LRWS; and 5 lots of 20ML of HRWS with 10ML LRWS. At the completion of the auction:
- 26 lots were sold, ranging in size from 5ML high-reliability with 2.5 low-reliability water shares, to 20ML high reliability with 10ML low reliability water shares.
- The results ranged between $1,000 and $1,405 per high and low combined megalitre.
- 5 lots did not meet the reserve and were passed in.
Latrobe River auction - April 2019
A further auction of temporary water from the Blue Rock Dought Reserve was made available for auction to customers on the Latrobe River system. The auction offered 900 ML in 14 lots ranging in size from 10ML to 150 ML. The water sold for an average of $55.57 per megalitre.
Latrobe River auction - February 2019
In response to drought conditions, temporary water from the Blue Rock Dought Reserve was made available for auction to customers on the Latrobe River system. The auction offered 900 ML in 12 lots ranging in size from 25ML to 100 ML. The water sold for an average of $87.42 per megalitre.
MID Permanent water share auction - 20 February 2019
The auction for 269 megalitres (ML) of permanent water shares in the Macalister Irrigation District was completed 19 Feb at Southern Rural Water’s office in Johnson Street, Maffra.
The lots were offered as high and low reliability bundles. There were successful bidders from dairy, beef and fodder enterprises in the district.
- Prices ranged from a high of $2,200 per ML to $1,850 per ML
- The average was $2,035 per ML