1. What is a bulk entitlement?

A bulk entitlement is a legal right to water granted by the Minister for Water under the Water Act 1989.

Bulk entitlements are legal instruments commonly held by water corporations that set out how much water the holder is entitled to take to supply its customers and the conditions around taking that water.

2. What has Goulburn-Murray Water applied for?

Goulburn-Murray Water has applied to the Minister for Water, the Hon Peter Walsh, MLA, to amend its Bulk Entitlement (Eildon – Goulburn Weir) Conversion Order 1995.

The primary purpose of the proposed amendments is to implement actions from the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (NRSWS), which was published in 2009.  In particular, the changes to Goulburn-Murray Water’s bulk entitlement are relevant to action 4.15, including quantifying distribution system operating water, allocating the distribution system operating water progressively; and clarifying dead storage volumes to assist in any future negotiations about its use.

Goulburn-Murray Water also seeks to formalise the early reserve rule (Action 5.1 of the NRSWS) which was introduced in the 2010/11 season.  As part of this action, Goulburn-Murray Water has also applied to formalise its process for making seasonal determinations in the Goulburn System in a new Schedule to its bulk entitlement.  This is done to increase transparency and certainty for all entitlement holders in the Goulburn System.

Additional amendments are proposed to clarify the nature of the bulk entitlement as a source entitlement to supply others, rather than as a consumptive entitlement, and ensure consistency with other similar source bulk entitlements.  The proposed changes introduce an explicit reference to the Murray-Darling Basin Cap on diversions to reflect the management of this entitlement under the Cap provisions since 1997 (after the bulk entitlement was originally granted in 1995).

A number of other amendments seek to clarify various clauses and the other supply obligations in the bulk entitlement, including the Goulburn Water Quality Reserve.

3. Will this amendment affect other entitlements to water in the Goulburn system?

No. None of the proposed changes will alter the volume or reliability of any water entitlements in the Goulburn system.

4. What happens next?

The Minister for Water will consider Goulburn-Murray Water’s application, taking into account the requirements of the Water Act 1989.  Subject to the Minister for Water’s approval, the bulk entitlement amendments will come into effect when it is published in the Government Gazette.

5. Can I make a submission to the Minister on the application?

The Minister for Water has not called for submissions as there was extensive consultation during the development of the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy, adopted in 2009.

However the Minister will consider any comments received from the public on the applications.

Written submissions can be emailed to water.be@dse.vic.gov.au or mailed to:

Executive Director, Water Resources Division
Department of Sustainability and Environment
PO Box 500
East Melbourne VIC 8002

6. Where can I find out more about Goulburn-Murray Water's application?

For more information on the application please contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Find out more about Victoria’s water allocation framework.