Welcome to the Elders Water Market Update for the 2025/26 season, for the week beginning 31 August 2026.
Opening allocations
Murrumbidgee
- general security received an 7per cent(pc) allocation increase, taking total allocation to 34pc.
New South Wales Murray
- general security received a 3per cent(pc) allocation increase, taking total allocation to 18pc.
Victorian Murray
- high reliability received a 11per cent(pc) allocation increase, taking total allocation to 57pc.
Allocations
Allocations are as follows:
| Zone | Allocation | 1 year ago | +/- per cent |
| Murrumbidgee | |||
| High Security | 95 pc | 95 pc | Same |
| General Security | 34 pc | 21 pc | +13 pc |
| NSW Murray (Zones 10 & 11) | |||
| High Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
| General Security | 4 pc | 12 pc | -8 pc |
| Lachlan | |||
| High Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
| General Security | 4 pc | 12 pc | -8 pc |
| Vic Murray (Zones 6 & 7) | |||
| High Reliability | 57 pc | 60 pc | -3 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 closed for both Murrumbidgee to Murray but open for Murray to Murrumbidgee trade, with a balance of 99.8GL.
Barmah Narrows 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 | 31 Aug 26 | 64.1 pc | NIL | +3.9 pc | +10.6 pc | +5.7 pc |
| Blowering | 30 Aug 26 | 64.7 pc | +0.1pc | +3.7 pc | +9.9 pc | +6.8 pc |
| Burrinjuck | 30 Aug 26 | 63.1 pc | +0.1 pc | +4.8 pc | +11.6 pc | +4.7 pc |
| Murray | 31 Aug 26 | 75.9 pc | NIL | +2.2 pc | +9.8 pc | +13.9 pc |
| Hume | 30 Aug 26 | 75.1 pc | +1.2 pc | +10.5 pc | +39.7 pc | +23.1 pc |
| Dartmouth | 30 Aug 26 | 73.9 pc | +0.1 pc | +0.9 pc | +3.5 pc | +6.0 pc |
| Lachlan | 31 Aug 26 | 68.4 pc | NIL | +3.1 pc | +4.8 pc | -20.9 pc |
| Wyangala | 30 Aug 26 | 67.6 pc | +0.2 0.2pc | +3.3 pc | +4.7 pc | -21.3 pc |
Current Temporary Market
Indicative prices are as follows, noting increased buying activity and buying enquiry in the market over the last week:
| Zone | Buyers | Sellers | Last trade | Trend |
| Murrumbidgee | $280 | $280 | $280 | Up |
| NSW Murray 10 (Above Choke) | $230 | $230 | $230 | Steady |
| NSW Murray 11 (Below Choke) | $340 | $340 | $340 | Up |
| Vic Murray 6 (Above Choke) | $230 | $230 | $230 | Steady |
| Vic Murray 7 (Below Choke) | $350 | $350 | $350 | Up |
| SA Murray | $350 | $350 | $350 | Up |
| Lachlan | $250 | $250 | $250 | Steady |
Current Permanent Market
Indicative pricing is as follows:
| Zone | Price/ML |
|---|---|
| Murrumbidgee | |
| High security | $8,700 to $8,800 |
| General security | $2,300 to $2,400 |
| Supplementary | $800 to $850 |
| NSW Murray above choke (Zone 10) | |
| High security | $6,000 to $6,100 |
| General security | $1,700 to $1,800 |
| NSW Murray below choke (Zone 11) | |
| High security | $9,400 to $9,500 |
| General security | $2,500 to $2,600 |
| Vic Murray above choke (Zone 6) | |
| High reliability | $4,400 to $4,500 |
| Low reliability | $700 to $800 |
| Vic Murray below choke (Zone 7) | |
| High reliability | $7,700 to $8,000 |
| Low reliability | $1,800 to $1,900 |
| SA Murray Class 3 | $8,100 to $8,200 |
| Lachlan (Uppr and Lower) | |
| General security | $1,800 to $1,900 |
| High security | $4,500 to $4,550 |
Seasonal Outlook
The long-range forecast for September to November shows:
- Rainfall is likely to be below average across parts of the south and east and above average across much of the western half of Australia.
- Daytime temperatures are likely to be above average south of the tropics.
- Overnight temperatures are likely to be above average for most of Australia.
The information contained in this article is given for the purpose of providing general information only, and while Elders has exercised reasonable care, skill and diligence in its preparation, many factors (including environmental and seasonal) can impact its accuracy and currency. Accordingly, the information should not be relied upon under any circumstances and Elders assumes no liability for any loss consequently suffered. If you would like to speak to someone for tailored advice relating to any of the matters referred to in this article, please contact Elders.
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