Earlier this year, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and WaterNSW developed a draft framework to assess options for improving the efficiency and equity of access to inter-valley trade opportunities. In July–August 2025 we sought feedback on whether the draft framework is appropriate and what options for managing access to trade opportunities should be assessed.

A report, summarising what we heard during the consultation, is available on Engage Victoria.

Based on the feedback received, we will now finalise the assessment framework and use it to analyse potential long-term options to manage access to trade opportunities for the major trading limits – Murrumbidgee, Goulburn and Barmah. We will publish the finalised framework later in 2025, before moving into assessing the options for managing access to trade opportunities.

In early 2026, we will seek feedback on the draft findings of that assessment. That further consultation will inform any decisions on implementing recommendations from this project. WaterNSW and DEECA sincerely thank those who have taken the time to provide their input and look forward to another collaborative consultation period in early 2026.