Irrigation rationing to start in the Loddon Valley

Feb 21, 2025

G-MW will impose rationing on Loddon Valley Irrigation Area customers as demand for water outstrips channel capacity.

Irrigators in sections of the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area will enter a rationing cycle on March 5.

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This area includes about 370 Goulburn-Murray Water customers in and around Dingee, Calivil and Boort.

A rationing cycle — or rationing — is implemented by G-MW when irrigation demand is expected to exceed channel capacity for several weeks.

It ensures customers continue to have access to water during this time by limiting the amount of water they can use, based on their delivery shares.

G-MW water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said rationing was the best and fairest solution under the current circumstances.

“There has been very little rain throughout summer, which has contributed to irrigation demand being exceptionally high,” Mr Blyth said.

“Demand has now reached the point where a rationing cycle is needed to prevent irrigators from facing considerable delays in receiving their water.

“Rationing is a tool we look to only when other options have been exhausted, but in situations like these it is the best way to ensure fairness.”

In a rationing cycle, while irrigators may have water in their accounts, they will be limited to taking a percentage of their delivery share to ensure they receive their fair share of the available capacity in the channel supplying their property.

Affected customers have been notified they will be entering a rationing cycle.

During the cycle, customers will be entitled to 150 per cent of their delivery shares at each service point per 10-day cycle.

“We want to help our customers to be as well prepared as possible,” Mr Blyth said.

“Given this is the first time we’ve implemented a rationing cycle since delivery shares were introduced, we are waiving the application fee for varying or transferring delivery shares for affected customers.

“I encourage anyone with any questions about rationing to contact us so that we can assist them wherever we can.”

People can phone G-MW with any questions relating to rationing on 1800 013 357.

G-MW has also developed online tools to help irrigators understand the impacts of rationing, including a calculator that allows people to see how much water they will be entitled to receive during a rationing cycle.

For more information and to find the online tools, go to: https://www.g-mwater.com.au/rationing