Southern Rural Water is seeking expressions of interest from Latrobe Valley farmers about additional water allocations from Blue Rock Dam.
Victorian Minister for Water, Gayle Tierney, recently announced 16 gigalitres (GL) of water previously set aside for power generation will be allocated and shared equally to supply agriculture, Traditional Owners and the environment. The decision was made through the Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water.
This means 5.3 GL will be available to support operations, expansion or drought-proofing for irrigators in the Latrobe region.
The allocation will open up more water for production, providing opportunities for innovation, expansion or future-proofing of operations. This will lead to economic improvements and the creation of more employment.
How to express your interest?
Expressions of interest can be made by completing this form and returning it to us by 30 July 2025
- You will need to provide evidence that you can access the water via a property you own, or that you have permission to use
- You may express interest in as much water as you like. However, you must be able to demonstrate that you can use the water.
Those who are successful must meet relevant licencing requirements under the Water Act 1989. Also, this may include other statutory requirements, depending on the intended use.
For more information, please call 1300 139 510.
FAQs
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Can anyone express their interest in the planned water allocations?
Farmers interested in purchasing an allocation must provide evidence they can access the water via a property they own, or a property they have permission to use. You do not need to have an existing licence to express your interest in this water.
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How much water can I get?
You may express interest in as much water as you like. However, you must be able to demonstrate that you can use the water.
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Where is the water available from?
Downstream of Blue Rock Dam on the Latrobe River.
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How will Southern Rural Water decide who gets the water?
If the volume of water through the expression of interest exceeds the 5.3 GL that is available, it is likely that an auction will be held. If this is the case, more information will be provided at the time.
If it does not go to auction, individuals will be able to purchase the volume of water they wish to secure.
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How much will it cost?
Southern Rural Water will set a price based on reasonable cost recovery for expenses related to the processing and issue of the relevant licences, running the expressions of interest, and supporting work to facilitate the availability of the water.
This price will be either the sale price or the reserve price, depending on if the allocation goes to auction.
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How is a purchase made?
Southern Rural Water will determine the pathway forward after assessing the response to our expression of interest process. It is possible that we could choose to run an auction process.
In this case, the market would determine the value of the water. When purchasing at auction, the sale price covers the cost of the application.
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Are there any limitations for those who are successful?
Before licences are issued, all those who are successful will be assessed in line with the requirements of The Water Act 1989 to ensure their intended water use is sustainable.
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Are there any further requirements?
Those who are successful must meet relevant licencing requirements under the Water Act 1989. Also, this may include other statutory requirements, depending on the intended use.
Before purchasing the water, it’s encouraged that all interested applicants contact the Irrigation Development Coordinator at the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (1300 094 262). Then, applicants can discuss their individual situation.
The Gippsland Irrigation Development Guidelines Fact Sheets provide further information on potential requirements for all irrigation developments in Gippsland.
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What happens when the expression of interest period finishes?
Once the expressions of interest period ends, Southern Rural Water will decide on how to distribute the water, through either a direct purchase or auction.