Murray–Murrumbidgee
Q&As On Barmah Choke Amendment
Why has the choke moved ?
- The choke hasn't moved – it is just the classification of what is in the upstream zone to and what is down stream zone. The previous definition of the choke failed to properly recognise that the choke was not just in the Murray River but also the streams that together carried water past the Cadell Tilt.
- It has now been properly defined so that water cannot be transferred from licences above to below the chokes. Thereby increasing the amount of time that water restrictions have to be applied due to delivery capacity.
Why did it occur ?
- To simplify the movement of water. This amendment does not effect most water users in their daily trading business.
- It may give greater freedom to licence holders s in the Edward Wakool System allowing them to trade to licences that are both the upper and downstream management zones. These users can trade upstream of the choke – including into Murray Irrigation Ltd.
- While the Zoning has changed, this does not automatically mean that a trade will be approved. Deliverability and no third party impacts remain the greatest consideration in approving a trade.
What is the new definition?
- Upper Zones: Those parts of the Water source upstream of the Murray River at Picnic point excluding the Edward River and its effluents and the Gulpa Creek and its effluents and the Bullatale Ck. This includes Murray Irrigation Limited's water access licences.
- Lower Zone: Those parts of the water source downstream of the Chokes defined above.
What has changed ?
- Edward and Wakool River was in the Management zone above the choke, it is now below.
What does this mean
- Some licence holders will now be classified in a different Trading zone – This will be licence holders in the Edward Wakool system and the Gulpa and Bullatale Creeks
- If unsure please contact DWE or Statewater in Deniliquin for clarification.
- If you are in the lower zone you can buy generally from anywhere from the chokes to the Murray Mouth; You can sell to anywhere in the Murray system.
- If you are in the upper zone you can buy generally from anywhere in the Murray system; You can only sell to anywhere above the chokes.
How does effect Murray Irrigation Limited
- Murray Irrigation's water access licences area in the upper zone.
