Murray-Darling Basin Authority river management executive director Andrew Reynolds said the trade balance at the Barmah Choke on July 1 was expected to be just above 25 Gl.
‘‘Due to the restricted flow, there are rules to ensure water can be physically delivered downstream in the volumes needed,’’ Mr Reynolds said.
‘‘This means in normal circumstances the sale of water from upstream of the choke to buyers downstream can only happen once the same or a greater volume of water has been traded in the opposite direction first — sending water from accounts owned downstream to those upstream of the choke.
‘‘The balance of trade starts each water year at zero. It is then credited with savings transferred up to the Snowy Scheme from downstream of the choke.
‘‘This year, that credit of 25 Gl will free up some trade to downstream buyers from the outset.’’
The rules of trade across the choke are governed by the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement between the Commonwealth and state governments.
Mr Reynolds said the persistent dry conditions in the Murray River meant water users were keen to know about upcoming trading opportunities, and noted the limit on trade across the choke was likely to remain for 2019-20 unless there were exceptional circumstances to warrant its relaxation.
‘‘The assessment of water delivery through the choke is part of our planning for the year ahead, which involves consideration of factors including storage levels, state allocations, water demand, the climate and the amount of water held in the tributaries.
‘‘In the interests of transparency and a level playing field, we are alerting the market now to the anticipated trading conditions.
‘‘It is worth noting that the trade of water from below the choke to above the choke is always open, and trade applications should continue to be submitted to the relevant basin state agencies.’’
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