All allocation trades submitted online in Victoria are now being automatically processed, as a result of new improvements in the Victorian Water Register.
Allocation trades subject to the Barmah Choke trade restriction will now be automatically processed.
This is a joint initiative between the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and the Victorian government. You can read the joint media release here.
Trades subject to the Barmah Choke restriction which are submitted online through the Victorian Water Register will now be processed instantaneously. Barmah Choke trades in Victoria had been referred for manual processing since 28 October 2014 when the trading rule that restricts allocation trade from upstream of the Choke to downstream was reinstated by the MDBA.
These improvements are part of the Victorian Government’s commitment under Water for Victoria to improve the effectiveness of water markets and transaction efficiency in northern Victoria. They will mean faster, more efficient transactions and more up-to-date information for people trading allocation.
The Barmah Choke is a narrow stretch on the River Murray which is a challenge for river managers because it limits the delivery of irrigation water during periods of peak demand, generally in spring and summer.
The MBDA is responsible for keeping track of the balance of trade. More information on the Choke can be found here.
Online applications to trade allocation that are subject to the Goulburn to Murray trade limit will now be processed automatically once again.
On 20 March 2018 these trades were referred for manual processing to manage high demand as trade opportunity opened.
Victorian Water Register functionality has since been upgraded to make sure that all applications can be assessed fairly and consistently with the trading rules during high demand situations.
However, you should be aware that if there is high demand for a trade opportunity with many applications submitted in a short period of time, you may still experience some delays while your trades are automatically processed.