2008-09 southern Basin water entitlement purchase and application -
Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Program
Before commencing your application please read all the How to sell your water (program information and guidelines) which explain the application process and other necessary information.
Background
The Australian Government's third phase of water entitlement purchasing is open from 7 October 2008 until 5:00pm (EST) on 30 June 2009. Willing sellers of water entitlements in the southern areas of the Basin are invited to lodge applications. Applications can be submitted anytime before the due date. The Department will be regularly assessing applications and advising vendors of the outcome. This means that the Department will not wait until the tender closing date to start assessing applications.
Through the southern Basin water entitlement purchase, the Australian Government aims to purchase regulated and unregulated entitlements from irrigators downstream of the Menindee Lakes. This expansion of water purchasing follows the announcement of the northern Basin tender in early September and will provide water to protect and restore southern Basin river systems and wetlands. The new southern Basin tender builds on other initiatives to return water to the Basin's rivers and wetlands including:
- A program providing special exit payments to assist eligible small scale irrigators who want to exit the irrigation industry but stay on their farms. (More details to be announced in coming weeks)
- Working with irrigation communities to buy out water entitlements from areas willing to move out of irrigation, facilitated by a price premium reflecting the value of water savings from closure of infrastructure such as supply channels
- Working with State Governments to co-fund the purchase of appropriately located irrigation properties and their water entitlements to enhance environmental outcomes in the northern Basin.
Media releases
Southern Murray-Darling Basin catchments map
The Southern Murray-Darling Basin 2008-09 water entitlement purchase will accept applications to sell permanent water entitlements from all river catchments in the southern Murray-Darling Basin including the lower Darling region south of Menindee Lakes. Catchments included are: Murray River; Lachlan; Murrumbidgee; Kiewa; Ovens; Goulburn; Campaspe; Loddon; Avoca; Wimmera-Mallee; and the Darling River south of Menindee Lakes.
Source: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Application form
Before commencing your application please read all the program information and guidelines which explain the application process and other necessary information.
Send the completed application form by 5:00pm (EST) on 30 June 2009 with a copy of your Water Licence or proof of ownership to the Department by one of the following ways:
- Fax: (02) 6275 9398
- Email: waterpurchasing@environment.gov.au
- Post: The Water Purchasing Officer
Water Efficiency Division
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
An online application form will soon be available on this web site.
More information
Contact us
The Water Purchasing Officer
Water Efficiency Division
PO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 218 478
Fax: 02 6275 9398
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