A new, strategic water purchase initiative is being conducted by the Federal Government in the southern connected system of the Murray Darling Basin.
The initiative involves seeking expressions of interest for water purchase in the southern connected system with a focus on acquiring entitlements held outside of shared irrigation delivery networks, and some strategic purchases from within irrigation networks. It is being conducted in two parts.
Irrigators are being invited to submit an expression of interest for water they are considering selling. The phase is open for four weeks and applicants will not need to submit a price at this stage. If an expression of interest offer meets the government's strict eligibility criteria, irrigators may then be invited to participate in a select tender process expected in early April.
The select tender will run for two weeks and applicants will be asked to nominate the price they want for their water and provide additional information if required to confirm eligibility against the criteria. Offers invited to the select tender will be assessed for value for money with applicants notified within about four weeks whether their sale offer will be pursued.
Water Minister, Tony Burke, says the new approach focusing on targeted purchases has been developed to provide an opportunity for eligible irrigators to sell their water while minimising the effect on shared irrigation delivery networks of water trade to the environment.
Mr Burke says it is designed to continue a steady pace of water recovery to help communities transition to sustainable diversion limits under a final Murray Darling Basin Plan.
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