2008-09 southern Basin water entitlement purchase and application -
Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Program
This round of water entitlement purchasing closed on 30 June 2009.
Further information on the progress of the program can be found at Progress of the 2008-09 Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Water Purchasing
Background
The Australian Government's third phase of water entitlement purchasing was open from 7 October 2008 until 30 June 2009. Willing sellers of water entitlements in the southern areas of the Basin were invited to lodge applications. Applications were submitted anytime before the due date. The Department regularly assessed applications and advised vendors of the outcome. The Department did not wait until the tender closing date to start assessing applications.
Through the southern Basin water entitlement purchase, the Australian Government aimed 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 southern Basin tender built on other initiatives to return water to the Basin's rivers and wetlands including:
- On 20 September 2008, the Prime Minister announced that the Australian Government is establishing a special exit grant package for small block irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin. The Government will offer up to $150,000 as a special exit payment, along with other transitional assistance, to eligible irrigators on 15 hectares or less who agree to sell all their water entitlements to the Commonwealth. More information about the Murray-Darling Basin small block irrigators exit grant package
- 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. More information about the Irrigator-led Group Proposals
- 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
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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