Frequently Asked Questions
|
 GENERAL
|
 | What can I do on this website? |
| |
 | On this site you can:
- Get copies of individual water share records by paying an $11 fee
- Find out about the distribution of entitlements by water system and trading zone
- Get information about trading rules and trades that have occurred
- Track the progress of your application to trade water allocation
This website does not process trades, or provide public access to edit any information stored on the register.
Tracking a trade of water share will be available soon, as well as the ability to request details of Water Use Licences and Delivery Shares, similar to the Water Share record search available now.
This website will be continually developed and improved to provide more information about water trade and accounting. It will generate reports on levels of use, directions of trade, and prices paid.
|
|
|
| What is the role of the Victorian Water Registrar? |
| |
| The Victorian Water Registrar is responsible for recording certain information about water share transactions, including transfers, mortgages, limited term transfers and discharges of mortgage, on the Water Register, and ensuring accuracy, reliability and accessibility of that information. More information can be found on the About the Water Register section of the website, under the Water Registrar link.
|
|
|
| What is the Water Register? |
| |
| The Water Register is a public register of all water-related entitlements in Victoria. More information can be found on the About the Water Register section of the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRADE APPLICATIONS
|
| How do I complete an Application to Trade Water Allocation (Form 39)? |
| |
| The Application to Trade Water Allocation (Form 39) is available from the Application Forms > Application forms to water authorities section of the website, or from your local water authority.
The form is uniquely numbered and requires the details of the water being traded (volume, total trade value), as well as the details of the allocation account from which the water is being traded, and the details, including the name of one of the holders, of the allocation account the allocation is being traded into.
The application form must be signed by all the owners (sellers) of the allocation, or a third party authorised to act on behalf of the owners. No signature is required of the buyer.
Further detailed information is provided on the form itself, and your water authority or broker will also be able to help.
|
|
|
| How do I complete applications for other transactions (eg. transfer of a water share)? |
| |
| Uniquely numbered application forms can be obtained from your local water authority. They each contain instructions on how to complete and submit.
|
|
|
| How is my application coming along? |
| |
| An application for trade of allocation can be tracked on the Status of Trading Applications > Track an allocation trade section of the website. You will require the application number of the trade.
Similar tracking of a water share trade will be possible in the future.
|
|
|
| What do I need to do if I am selling my property and want to transfer the water and land to the purchaser? |
| |
| Transfers of water share, and any water in the vendor’s allocation bank account, to the purchaser, are separate transactions to the purchase of the land, and are processed as any other trade would be.
Procedures for transfer of land and water as a going concern are currently under review, with revised application forms and guideline procedures available soon.
|
|
|
| What is a WEE number? |
| |
| A Water Entitlement Entity (WEE) number is a unique number used to identify your water share in the register. Your WEE number is used on any applications to trade your water share.
|
|
|
| Where can I get a company extract? |
| |
| If the seller is a company, a company extract must be attached to the application. A company extract can be obtained on-line from www.asic.gov.au for a fee of approximately $20.
If you do not have access to the internet your broker or accountant should be able to access a copy on-line. However, they may charge for this service. You should check with your broker or accountant.
Water authorities will accept photocopies of your company extract. You should retain a copy for 12 months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
WATER TRADE AND MARKET INFORMATION
|
| I purchased a water share and the transfer was recorded by the Water Registrar on the same day that seasonal allocation was issued to the water share. Why was the allocation not issued to my account? |
| |
| Seasonal allocations made against a water share are credited into the allocation account that is linked to the water share at midnight. This is done so that all water share transfers that are recorded on the day of the allocation announcement are treated equally in relation to water allocations.
|
|
|
| If I purchase a water share, when can I use water? |
| |
| Water cannot be used until it is credited to your allocation account. If the purchase was made before the opening of the irrigation season, any allocations made against your newly acquired water share in the coming season will be credited to your account, and can then be used.
If the purchase was made mid-season, any allocations made after the purchase is finalised will be credited to your allocation account, and may be used. Allocations may also be traded from other allocation accounts, for instance from the seller of the property, and can be used once that trade is completed.
|
|
|
| What are the current prices of water? |
| |
| The price of water is determined by the market, and details of each trade, including price paid, are recorded on the register.
Some statistical information about water prices, number of trades and volumes traded, for both water share and allocation trades, is available from the Water Trading Information > Water Shares and the Water Trading Information > Water Allocation sections of the website.
Price information is also available from water brokers and exchanges.
|
|
|
| Where can I find information about current irrigation system allocations? |
| |
| Goulburn Murray Water can provide information about current allocations. A summary of allocations in the unbundled northern Victorian systems can be found in the Water Allocations > Seasonal Determinations section of the website. For current seasonal allocations in the unbundled southern Victorian systems please contact Southern Rural Water.
|
|
|
| Where can I trade my allocation to? |
| |
| Trade within a trading zone is generally unrestricted.
Trade between zones, and interstate trading, is governed by trading rules, which can be found in the Water Trading Information > Rules and Maps section of the website.
|
|
|
| Why do interstate trades of allocation take longer? |
| |
| Allocation trades within Victoria occur in a single water register, and so are quicker than interstate trades. Interstate trades require the approval of water authorities in both States, following a protocol agreed between governments under the Murray Darling Basin Agreement.
|
|
|
| Why doesn't the allocation transfer over when a water share transfer is completed? |
| |
| Seasonal allocations made against a water share are credited into the allocation account of the owner of that water share, and remain in that account for the duration of the irrigation season, or until the water is used or sold.
If the water share is traded to a new owner, any allocations made after the transfer is completed will be credited to the allocation account of the new owner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|