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Allocations
Allocations are as follows:
| Zone | Allocation | 1 year ago | +/- per cent |
Murrumbidgee | |||
High Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
General Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
NSW Murray (Zones 10 & 11) | |||
High Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
General Security | 110 pc | 110 pc | Same |
Lachlan | |||
High Security | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
General Security | 14 pc | 115 pc | - 101 pc |
Vic Murray (Zones 6 & 7) | |||
High Reliability | 100 pc | 100 pc | Same |
Low Reliability | 100 pc | 100 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 |
2024/2025 OUTLOOKS
On 15 April, the NSW Department of Industry and Environment has released updated 2024/25 season outlooks for the Murrumbidgee and Murray Darling systems. Full statements can be viewed by clicking on the following links, but in short, outlooks for opening allocations are as follows:
Murrumbidgee
- 95 pc allocation for high security entitlements
- 15 pc allocation for general security entitlements (an increase of 10 pc from the figure given in the last outlook)
- 100 pc allocation for towns, domestic and stock access licences
- Full allocations for supplementary (including Lowbidgee) access licences
- Full general security carryover (estimated to be around 28 pc) is expected to be available.
- 97 pc allocation for high security entitlements
- 30 pc allocation for general security entitlements (no change from the figure given in the last outlook)
- 100 pc allocation for towns, domestic and stock access licences
- Full allocations for supplementary access licences
- Full general security carryover (estimated to be around 43 pc) is expected to be available.
- 100 pc allocation for high security entitlements
- 100 pc allocation for general security entitlements
- 100 pc allocation for towns, domestic and stock access licences
- Full allocations for supplementary access licences
- Carryover in accounts will be replaced by full allocations on 1 July 2023.
Trade Restrictions
MURRUMBIDGEE/MURRAY IVT
Is CLOSED for Murrumbidgee to Murray trade, but OPEN for Murray to Murrumbidgee trade with a balance of 94.2 gigalitres (GL).
BARMAH CHOKE
Is CLOSED.
Storages
According to the Bureau of Meterorology (BOM), storage levels are currently as follows:
| Current | 1 Day | 7 Days | 30 Days | 1 Year | |
| Murrumbidgee | 67.6 pc | NIL | - 0.3 pc | - 2.9 pc | - 17.0 pc |
| Blowering | 66.0 pc | NIL | - 0.4 pc | + 0.8 pc | - 19.6 pc |
| Burrinjuck | 70.0 pc | - 0.2 pc | - 3.8 pc | - 9.3 pc | + 9.0 pc |
| Murray | 76.7 pc | NIL | - 0.5 pc | - 3.1 pc | - 12.9 pc |
| Hume | 60.7 pc | - 0.2 pc | - 1.5 pc | - 5.9 pc | - 29.5 pc |
| Dartmouth | 94.2 pc | - 0.1 pc | - 0.1 pc | - 0.7 pc | - 1.6 pc |
| Lachlan | 94.7 pc | NIL | - 0.2 pc | - 2.0 pc | - 3.7 pc |
| Wyangala | 94.5 pc | NIL | - 0.2 pc | + 1.9 pc | - 3.6 pc |
Current Temporary Market
| Zone | Buyers | Sellers | Last Trade |
| Murrumbidgee | $15 | $20 | $15 |
| NSW Murray 10 (Above Choke) | $16 | $20 | $19 |
| NSW Murray 11 (Below Choke) | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| Vic Murray 6 (Above Choke) | $10 | $15 | $15 |
| Vic Murray 7 (Above Choke) | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| SA Murray | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| Lachaln | $40 | $50 | $50 |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer Zone 1 | - | - | - |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer Zone 2 | - | - | - |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer Zone 3 | - | - | - |
| Lower Murray Groundwater | - | - | - |
| Lower Lachlan Groundwater | - | - | - |
Current Permanent Market
Indicative pricing is as follows:
| Zone | Price per mL |
| Murrumbidgee | |
| High Security | $8,300 to $8,400 |
| General Security | $2,400 to $2,500 |
| Supplementary | $800 to $850 |
| NSW Murray Above Choke (Zone 10) | |
| High Security | $7,100 to $7,200 |
| General Security | $2,000 to $2,100 |
| NSW Murray Below Choke (Zone 11) | |
| High Security | $8,550 to $8,650 |
| General Security | $2,600 to $2,700 |
| VIC Murray Above Choke (Zone 6) | |
| High Security | $4,600 to $4,700 |
| General Security | $700 to $800 |
| VIC Murray Below Choke (Zone 7) | |
| High Security | $7,300 to $7,500 |
| General Security | $1,750 to $1,850 |
| SA Murray Class 3 | $7,000 to $7,500 |
| Murrumbidgee Deep Aquifer (zone dependent) | $3,800 to $4,500 |
| Lachlan (Upper & Lower) | |
| High Security | $1,500 to $1,600 |
| General Security | $4,500 to $4,550 |
| Lower Murray Deep Groundwater | $2,700 to $2,800 |
| Lower Lachlan Groundwater | $3,500 to $4,000 |
Current Forward Market
Indicative pricing is as follows, assuming a 1 November 2024 delivery date:
| Zone | Price |
| Murrumbidgee | $135 |
| Murray Above Choke (NSW Zone 10 and Vic Zone 6) | $110 |
| Murray Below Choke (NSW Zone 11, Vic Zone 7 and SA) | $135 |
Current Carryover Market
Indicative pricing is as follows, assuming risk of spill falling to the licence holder:
| Zone | Price |
| Murrumbidgee | $120 |
| Murray Above Choke (NSW Zone 10 and Vic Zone 6) | $100 |
| Murray Below Choke (NSW Zone 11, Vic Zone 7 and SA) | $120 |
TRADE CLOSURES
In accordance with the relevant Valley Water Sharing Plans, please note the following Season Close dates for water allocation trading:
- Murrumbidgee, NSW Murray & Lower Darling Regulated Interstate – 11:59PM 30 April 2024
- Murrumbidgee Regulated Intravalley – 11:59PM 30 June 2024
- All other Regulated Water, Groundwater and Unregulated Water - 11:59PM 30 June 2024
- Coleambally Irrigation – 28 June 2024
- Murray Irrigation – external trades 5PM 24 June 2024 and internal trades 11:59pm 25 June 2024
- Murrumbidgee Irrigation – external trades 5PM 28 June 2024 and internal trades 11:59pm 30 June 2024
SEASONAL OUTLOOK
The BOM released an updated outlook on 26 April. The full outlook can be viewed by clicking here but, in summary:
- May rainfall is likely to be below median for parts of southern and eastern Australia, with an increased likelihood of unusually low rainfall for parts of southern and eastern Australia. May temperatures are likely to be above median for most of Australia.
- For June and July, the rainfall forecast shifts towards having roughly equal chances of above or below median monthly rainfall for most of Australia. Monthly temperatures are likely to be above median for all of Australia.
- There is an increased likelihood of unusually high maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the May to July period.
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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