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Interstate water trade

Interstate water trading allows water users to trade water across state borders where river systems are connected. This allows irrigators to source water from, or sell water to, a broader range of users.
Water markets

Southern–connected Basin

Schedule D of the Murray–Darling Basin Agreement allows water users within South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales to trade water across state boundaries and between valleys. 

This has occurred since the early 2000s through a collective agreement between state governments, the former Murray–Darling Basin Commission and now us. We coordinate the trade of water entitlements and allocations between states and valleys within the southern connected system. A significant physical influence on the movement of water is the Barmah Choke on the River Murray. We are responsible for monitoring trade across the Choke and, if necessary, restricting trade to protect water delivery to existing entitlement holders.

The map below shows the various trading zones in the southern Basin. The map details where water can move between 2 zones. This map is based on the Interstate water trading zones map as shown in the Schedule D protocol. The Allowable direction of water trades in the southern-connected Basin is a table of the permissible transfer between trading zones.   

A comprehensive review of Schedule D was conducted between 2021–2024, fulfilling the review requirement under clause 18 of Schedule D. The review delivers outputs and recommendations to develop a simpler Schedule D framework and more flexible trade adjustment arrangements.

The map below shows the various trading zones in the southern Basin. The map details where water can move between 2 zones. This map is based on the Interstate water trading zones map as shown in the Schedule D protocol. The Allowable direction of water trades in the southern-connected Basin is a table of the permissible transfer between trading zones.

  

Please note: by hovering over the trading zones, you can see a guide to the allowable direction of trade between the zones. This guide must be read in conjunction with the state trading rules that applies to these zones. The trading rules will outline the circumstances, if any, where these allowable trade directions may not be valid.

Victoria also has a more detailed trading zone map focusing on trading zones in northern Victoria. Additional zones shown on the Victorian trading zone map relate to trades restricted to Victorian valleys. View the Victorian trading zone map.

New South Wales – Queensland Border Rivers

The New South Wales – Queensland Border Rivers Intergovernmental Agreement 2008 allows for the trade of water between the New South Wales and Queensland Border Rivers.

Trade of water entitlements and allocations can occur in both directions subject to the account limit rules, operational accounting rules and the trading rules set by the two state management plans.

The map below shows the areas that permit trade between New South Wales and Queensland. Trade can occur to and from the Macintyre Brook, Queensland Border Rivers trading areas (shaded green on the map), and the New South Wales Border Rivers water management area (shaded blue on the map). This area includes the unregulated Barwon, Macintyre and Severn Rivers.

This agreement is not the responsibility of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). For more information on the allowable trade between these states, contact the New South Wales or Queensland state governments.

  

Related information

Last updated: 24 September 2024