Changes to trading rules give Sunraysia irrigators greater choice

The changes, which come into effect in the pumped irrigation districts in the Sunraysia region from Friday 29 January, will give local irrigators more opportunities to trade water out of the district.

Under the changes, districts that had already reached the four per cent limit on permanent trade of water outside the area have been grouped with a district that has not yet reached the limit.

Irrigators in Robinvale, Redcliffs and Merbein will now be able to share in the space available under the Mildura District limit.

Water share trading out of the Robinvale, Redcliffs and Merbein group of irrigation districts has been restricted since September last year when the four per cent limit was reached.

However, about one billion litres is still available for trading out of the Mildura District.

Water Minister Tim Holding said the change to trading rules helps to find a balance between providing Sunraysia irrigators with more flexibility to trade water for cash flow while protecting the local economy and preventing huge volumes of Victorian water being traded permanently out of agricultural production in the State.

Lower Murray Water will hold a ballot for irrigators applying to sell their water shares under the changed trading rules.