DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
Victorian Resources Online - Goulburn Broken

Access to Surface Water

Access to Water - Statewide

Three water authorities service the Goulburn Broken region. Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) (external link) provides water access and drainage systems to the rural sector. Goulburn Valley Water (external link) and North East Regional Water Authority (external l ink) supply water and sewerage services to the urban areas.		Rural Water Authorities
Goulburn Broken Water Authorities

Water is delivered to rural properties by Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) for both irrigation, stock and domestic requirements from a variety of storages through a network of rivers, channels and pipelines. On average G-MW delivers 2.1 million Megalitres each year to a variety of customers including 24 757 rural properties, 5 Urban Water Authorities, 3 hydroelectric companies, 4 other Rural Water Authorities and 1 community water supply scheme. G-MWs assets for delivering water (for both stock, domestic and irrigation) include over 7 000 km of channels, 262 km of pipelines, almost 3 000 km of drains, over 24 000 metres and over 23 000 structures. The bulk of the water comes from Lake Eildon and flows through the Goulburn River and into a number of main channels for distribution to customers. The main channels that move water around the GB region include the Waranga Western Channel, East Goulburn Main Channel, Yarrawonga Main Channel and the Stuart Murray and Cattanach Channels.

Source: G-MW Website (external link)

Information and maps on Rural Water Services (external lonk) for the Shepparton, Central Goulburn, Rochester-Campaspe, Pyramid-Boort, Murray Valley and Torrumbarry management areas can be found on the G-MW website.



Photo: Irrigation waterwheels in an orchard near Tatura
Irrigation waterwheels in an orchard near Tatura		Information on the urban water supply specifications is available for all the towns serviced by Goulburn Valley Water (external link) and North East Water (external link). Please visit their web sites.


    Financial Assistance Schemes are available through the Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (SIRLWMP). This Plan is a major component of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Strategy. On behalf of the Goulburn Broken and North Central Catchment Management Authorities, the Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee implements the Catchment Strategy which includes the Land and Water Management Plan and other major natural resource management strategies in the Shepparton Irrigation Region.

    Irrigation Water Rights and Transfers

    G-MW manages the use of water for irrigation within the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Historically, properties were given a statutory right to a certain amount of water per hectare of land. No nett increase in the amount of water used for irrigation is permitted in the catchment. However, the rights associated with a property may now be sold within the catchment on both a permanent or seasonal basis.

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