Liquid market for water licence trading

Farmers with excess water can consider trading it. 132799

FARMERS are being urged to consider trading used water entitlements to other primary producers who are struggling with their water needs.
Southern Rural Water is again encouraging landowners to think about trading water if they predict they will run low this season.
The company’s General Manager Groundwater and Rivers Craig Parker said farmers in the region are facing the toughest summer seen for years.
“With such dry weather we are seeing an increase right now in the number of people looking for water to trade,” he said.
Mr Parker said there are “sleeper” licences in every region that are rarely, if ever, used.
“If you are not going to use your allocation this summer, we would really encourage you to consider a temporary or permanent trade,” he said.
“If the trade is approved, it could earn you some unexpected income and it could really help out someone who needs more water for production.
“Southern Rural Water is doing its best to process trades as quickly as possible so that people have the water they need for their business.”
Southern Rural Water has a free online trading forum known as Watermatch that allows people to register their interest in either buying or selling water in southern Victoria.
“We know that Watermatch can be really helpful in helping people to find someone to trade with,” Mr Parker said.
“There are currently has more than 120 listings on there right now for people wanting to trade water and we anticipate that figure will jump as summer goes on.”
Mr Parker said that anyone – even non-computer users – can easily register their interest in buying or selling water in different systems.
“You can also register for automatic notifications whenever water becomes available to buy or sell in a particular area,” he said.
Watermatch can be used for the Macalister, Werribee and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation Districts, groundwater systems throughout southern Victoria, and river and creek systems in southern Victoria other than those controlled by Melbourne Water.
Links to Watermatch can be found on the Southern Rural Water website or phone Southern Rural Water on 1300 139 510 for more information about trading.