Water access licence dealings
There are three agencies involved in water dealings:
There are two types of water access licence dealings:
- General water dealings
- Water allocation assignment dealings
General water dealings
General water dealings under the Water Management Act 2000 include the trading of water access licences, as well as any change to water access licences on the WAL Register.
Water access licences are maintained on the Water Access Licence Register (WAL Register) by LPI. The details of each water access licence on the WAL Register are publicly available. To undertake an online search go to Land and Property and Water Access Licence Searches.
General water dealings only take effect when registered by LPI on the WAL Register.
Some general water dealings, including assignment of share component and change of nominated work, require consent by the NSW Office of Water, before registration with LPI.
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 Application |
NSW Office of Water
Consent |
Registration |
LPI
WAL Register |
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Register with LPI |
Applying for a water access licence dealing
You can apply for a water access licence dealing using two options:
- Go to Water Applications Online for an easy to use, interactive option. Applications using the online service can be processed faster and with greater accuracy than those submitted by post. Applicants can also track the progress of their application using a unique log in and password.
Once completed, a copy of the application must be printed out, signed by all applicants, and faxed, emailed (as a scanned attachment), posted or lodged in person at the NSW Office of Water licensing office indicated in the online application.
When using the online option, application fees can be paid by phone using a credit card or by cheque.
Note: Water Applications Online is only available for subdivide and change dealing applications
- Download an application form either as a Word document (suitable for completing on screen and saving to your personal computer) or as a PDF (suitable for completing on screen, or printing out and completing by hand). The form must then be submitted by post or lodged in person at your local licensing office.
Application fees must be paid by cheque made out to the NSW Office of Water.
Water allocation assignment dealings
A water allocation is a volume of water (in megalitres) credited to a water access licence water allocation account. All or part of the water allocation can be traded.
Water allocation assignment dealings under the Water Management Act 2000 in regulated and major inland groundwater systems must be lodged with State Water.
Water allocation assignment dealings in unregulated rivers and groundwater systems NOT managed by State Water are available in very limited circumstances where extraction is metered. The NSW Office of Water is the consent and registration authority for these dealings.
Go to Assigning water allocations between access licences for more information.
More information
Go to The dealings process for information on how to undertake dealings.
Go to Water Management Registers for statistics on:
Murrumbidgee annual water trade ballot – 2009/10 second ballot
The NSW Office of Water wishes to invite applications for the second 2009/10 Murrumbidgee Water ballot.
A maximum of 42GL will be made available for trade out of the Murrumbidgee Valley.
Applications must be submitted in writing between 8.00am on Monday 16 November 2009 and 3.45pm on Thursday 3 December 2009 at State Water’s Deniliquin Office (8-20 Edwardes St) to be considered in the ballot.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the moratorium on the trade of water out of the Murrumbidgee Valley put in place and why is it still in place?
The moratorium was put in place because of a number of physical constraints caused by the drought. The amount of water to be delivered out through Balranald if trade continued would have meant excessive transmission losses and reduced water availability for Murrumbidgee licensees.
Under some favourable circumstances water can be more efficiently delivered into the Murray system via Snowy Hydo Limited infrastructure, thereby reducing the losses through Balranald.
While water allocation announcements have been more positive this year than in the previous three years, water resources are still well below average and the original constraints remain.
How much water will be made available in this ballot?
The NSW Office of Water will make 42 gigalitres of water available in the second ballot.
How long will this ballot run?
Following feedback from users, this ballot will be open for three weeks, that is from Monday 16 November to 3:45pm Thursday 3 December 2009.
There is no limit on the number of applications a licence holder may enter in the ballot, however licence holders must have sufficient water available on the licence to cover all applications submitted.
Applications nominating an interstate licence as the buyer should provide original copies of the interstate application and fee. State Water Corporation will forward this application and fee to the relevant interstate party upon success in the ballot.
How do I transfer available annual allocation water from the Murrumbidgee valley to the Murray (NSW, Victoria and South Australia)
The only way to transfer water from the regulated Murrumbidgee River is to enter the trade ballot.
Applicants must meet all requirements listed on the application form including the payment of the application fee (and relevant usage charge if applicable) and have their application lodged with State Water Corporation by Thursday 3 December 2009.
Where can I sell water to?
You will be able to sell water to the Murray Valley and interstate to Victoria and South Australia. Normal trade rules will apply.
Where can I buy water from?
Water can only be purchased from the Murray Valley (above or below the choke in 2009/10) or the Murrumbidgee Valley.
Is there any limit on the amount of water I can buy?
No
Is there a limit on the amount of water I can sell out of the Murrumbidgee?
No, however you are limited by the volume of water in your account.
Will the Government charge any transfer fees for the sale to proceed or is it just the nominated fee to apply to the ballot?
The standard transfer fee will be charged to all applicants transferring to a NSW account. There will also be a variable use charge for sellers who temporarily sell water to buyers that do not hold a State Water Corporation account or licensed works.
Fees must be provided on application however no fees will be processed until the application is successful in the ballot.
Why is the water being sold by ballot?
A ballot system for water trade has worked well in other States and provides the fairest way to open trade in a highly sought commodity. Once the ballot has closed, applicants will be selected randomly and an independent auditor will oversee the process to ensure that no application receives preferential treatment.
Applications will be processed until the volume of water on offer has been subscribed.
When will the ballot take place?
Applicants who wish to be considered in the ballot must have their completed applications to State Water's Deniliquin office by 3:45pm on Thursday 3 December 2009.
What happens if I’m unsuccessful in this ballot?
Your application and payment will be returned in 10 days following the closure of the ballot and you will be unable to trade Murrumbidgee water.
You may re-apply in any subsequent ballots.
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