Welcome to the Elders Water Market Update for the 2024/25 season, for the week beginning 1 September 2025.
Opportunities of the week
- Seller of 200 megalitres of Murrumbidgee irrigation allocation at $250 per megalitre. Smaller splits considered.
- Seller of 500 megalitres of Lachlan allocation at $130 per megalitre. Smaller splits considered.
- Seller of 320 Lachlan General Security entitlements at $1,900 per megalitre, inclusive of 2025/26 allocation.
Allocations
The following allocation announcements were made on 1 September:
- Murrumbidgee general security received a 2 per cent (pc) allocation increase, taking total allocation to 22pc
- NSW murray general security received a 2pc allocation increase, taking total allocation to 5pc
- Vic Murray high reliability received a 7pc allocation increase, taking total allocation to 50pc.
Compartive to 12 months ago, allocations are as follows:
| Zone | Allocation | 1 year ago | +/- per cent |
Murrumbidgee | |||
High Security | 95 pc | 95 pc | Same |
General Security | 21 pc | 34 pc | - 13 pc |
NSW Murray (Zones 10 & 11) | |||
High Security | 97 pc | 97 pc | Same |
General Security | 5 pc | 44 pc | -39 pc |
Lachlan | |||
High Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
General Security | 12 pc | 6 pc | + 6 pc |
Vic Murray (Zones 6 & 7) | |||
High Reliability | 60 pc | 79 pc | -19 pc |
Low Reliability | 0 pc | 0 pc | Same |
SA Murray | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
Murrumbidgee Deep Groundwater | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
Lower Murray Deep Groundwater | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
Lower Lachlan Groundwater | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
Trade Restrictions
MURRUMBIDGEE/MURRAY IVT
Is currently open for Murray to Murrumbidgee but closed for Murrumbidgee to Murray trade, with balances as follows:
- Murray to Murrumbidgee – 99.5GL
- Murrumbidgee to Murray – 0.5GL
BARMAH CHOKE is closed.
Storages
According to the Bureau of Meterorology (BOM), storage levels are currently as follows:
| As at 9am | Current | 1 Day | 7 Days | 30 Days | 1 Year | |
| Murrumbidgee | 1 Sep 25 | 58.0 pc | NIL | NIL | +2.6 pc | - 25.8 pc |
| Blowering | 30 Aug 25 | 57.9 pc | NIL | +2.0 pc | +3.7 pc | - 27.1 pc |
| Burrinjuck | 30 Aug 25 | 58.1 pc | +0.1 pc | + 1.5 pc | +4.5 pc | - 23.8 pc |
| Murray | 1 Sep 25 | 61.9 pc | NIL | + 1.0 pc | + 4.1 pc | - 23.5 pc |
| Hume | 30 Aug 25 | 51.9 pc | +0.6 pc | + 0.9 pc | +13.1 pc | - 42.5 pc |
| Dartmouth | 30 Aug 25 | 68.1 pc | +0.2 pc | - 0.9 pc | - 1.2 pc | - 27.5 pc |
| Lachlan | 1 Sep 25 | 89.2 pc | NIL | + 0.2 pc | +3.7 pc | - 6.7 pc |
| Wyangala | 30 Aug 25 | 88.9 pc | +0.1 pc | + 0.5 pc | +4.5 pc | -6.7 pc |
Current Temporary Market
Indicative pricing is as follows:
| Zone | Buyers | Sellers | Last trade | Trend |
| Murrumbidgee | $250 | $250 | $250 | Down |
| NSW Murray 10 (Above Choke) | $240 | $240 | $240 | Up |
| NSW Murray 11 (Below Choke) | $265 | $270 | $270 | Up |
| Vic Murray 6 (Above Choke) | $230 | $230 | $230 | Down |
| Vic Murray 7 (Above Choke) | $265 | $270 | $270 | Steady |
| SA Murray | $265 | $270 | $270 | Steady |
| Lachlan | $120 | $130 | $130 | Steady |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer Zone 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer Zone 2 | $200 | $200 | $200 | Steady |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer Zone 3 | $130 | $150 | $150 | Steady |
| Lower Murray Groundwater | - | - | - | - |
| Lower Lachlan Groundwater | - | - | - | - |
Current Permanent Market
Indicative pricing is as follows:
| Zone | Price per mL |
| Murrumbidgee | |
| High Security | $8,700 to $8,800 |
| General Security | $2,550 to $2,650 |
| Supplementary | $800 to $850 |
| NSW Murray Above Choke (Zone 10) | |
| High Security | $7,500 to $7,600 |
| General Security | $1,600 to $1,700 |
| NSW Murray Below Choke (Zone 11) | |
| High Security | $8,650 to $8,750 |
| General Security | $2,550 to $2,650 |
| VIC Murray Above Choke (Zone 6) | |
| High Reliability | $4,150 to $4,250 |
| Low Reliability | $1,000 to $1,100 |
| VIC Murray Below Choke (Zone 7) | |
| High Reliability | $7,450 to $7,550 |
| Low Reliability | $1,900 to $2,000 |
| SA Murray Class 3 | $7,800 to $7,900 |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer (zone dependent) | $3,800 to $4,200 |
| Lachlan (Upper & Lower) | |
| General Security | $1,800 to $1,900 |
| High Security | $4,500 to $4,550 |
| Lower Murray Deep Groundwater | $2,700 to $2,800 |
| Lower Lachlan Groundwater | $3,500 to $4,000 |
Seasonal Outlook
The BOM released an updated outlook on 28 August. In summary long-range forecast for September to November shows:
- Above average rainfall is likely across much of eastern Australia.
- Daytime temperatures are likely to be above average in northern and south-eastern regions, with an increased chance of unusually warm days in the far north and south-east.
- Overnight temperatures are very likely to be above average across most of Australia, with an increased likelihood of unusually warm nights in northern, eastern, and central areas.
Disclaimer – important, please read:
The information contained in this article is given for general information purposes only, current at the time of first publication, and does not constitute professional advice. The article has been independently created by a human author using some degree of creativity through consultation with various third-party sources. Third party information has been sourced from means which Elders consider to be reliable. However, Elders has not independently verified the information and cannot guarantee its accuracy. Links or references to third party sources are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of material by third parties or any associated product or service offering. While Elders has exercised reasonable care, skill and diligence in preparation of this article, many factors including environmental/seasonal factors and market conditions can impact its accuracy and currency. The information should not be relied upon under any circumstances and, to the extent permitted by law, Elders disclaim liability for any loss or damage arising out of any reliance upon the information contained in this article. If you would like to speak to someone for tailored advice specific to your circumstances relating to any of the matters referred to in this article, please contact Elders.
Meet the author
