The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and WaterNSW have jointly released an assessment of options to improve the equity and efficiency of access to allocation trade during the Barmah, Goulburn and Murrumbidgee scheduled trade openings.
We are now seeking feedback to inform preferred options for DEECA and WaterNSW to implement subject to resourcing and funding. The options assessment report is available on the Engage Victoria and WaterNSW websites, where submissions can also be made.
DEECA and WaterNSW will also be hosting a joint webinar on Thursday 21 May 2026 at 11.30 am, including a presentation on the report findings and a Q&A session. Please register for the webinar on Microsoft Events.
Findings from this consultation will be used to inform preferred options for DEECA and WaterNSW to implement, subject to resourcing and funding.
In August 2025, DEECA and WaterNSW consulted with stakeholders and the community on our draft principles-based framework, and we gathered ideas on options for managing access to trade opportunities.
In late 2025, we finalised the options for assessment and engaged independent water market experts to assess these alternatives.
You can view the final principles-based framework and the options assessment report including the independent consultant assessments on the Engage Victoria and WaterNSW websites.
If you have any questions, contact us on water.markets.transparency@deeca.vic.gov.au.