Loddon Valley Irrigation Area customers supported to plan ahead

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Loddon Valley Irrigation Area customers supported to plan ahead

Wednesday 30 July, 2025

Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is opening irrigation ordering from 1 August 2025 - 14 days before the start of the 2025/26 start of season - for Loddon Valley Irrigation Area (LVIA) customers to gauge demand and determine whether rationing may be required.

"LVIA customers were rationed from 5 March to 25 April earlier this year," General Manager Water Delivery Services Warren Blyth said.

"Although the LVIA has recently received rainfall, there is still a chance of high irrigation demand - especially with spring being a peak period for water use in the region.

"As we approach the start of the 2025/26 irrigation season, we want to support customers to prepare for the possibility that the LVIA may enter another rationing cycle."

The early ordering option is only available to LVIA customers. All other irrigation customers can place orders from 10 August.

GMW is also encouraging LVIA customers to consider the following ahead of the season starting on 15 August:

How their delivery share is distributed across service points.

Applying to vary or transfer their delivery shares to ensure continued access. GMW will continue to waive the application fees associated with varying or transferring delivery shares (Form 35 and 36) for LVIA customers impacted by rationing. Customers can contact GMW via

[email protected]

and request a pre-populated form or a copy of a customer's Water Register Delivery Share Copy of Record.

Exploring options for an alternative water source such as buying water from the Loddon water system (trading zone 5A).

"We sought feedback after the rationing event earlier this year from affected customers and the GMID West Customer Committee," Mr Blyth said.

"The clear message was that customers wanted information early to help them make informed decisions ahead of any possible rationing event, which is why we have contacted customers this week to encourage them to consider their options."

For more information, customers can:

Visit GMW's dedicated rationing page on its website:

www.gmwater.com.au/rationing

Call 1800 013 357.

Book a one-on-one appointment via our website:

www.gmwater.com.au/contact

Background

The LVIA is supplied via the Waranga Western Channel from the Goulburn system. High-reliability water share as of 15 July for the Goulburn system is 33 per cent. More rainfall is needed over the coming months to increase storage levels and seasonal determinations. The next 2025/26 seasonal determination announcement will be released on Friday, 1 August 2025.

When resources in the Loddon system are plentiful, GMW uses the Loddon Supplement, a bulk water entitlement in the Loddon system dedicated for the Goulburn system, to meet demand in the Boort area by passing water into the Waranga Western Channel via the Loddon Weir pool.

Due to low water availability in the Loddon storages at the moment, there is no water available from the Loddon Supplement or the Loddon inter-valley trade account to help deliveries to the Boort system.

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