Telemetered water monitoring and weather station at the Old Dromana Ramsar site in the Gwydir Wetlands State Conservation Area. Photo: Simon Hunter, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of Australia

THE COMMONWEALTH Environmental Water Holder has announced the sale of up to 15 gigalitres (GL) of annual water allocations in the Gwydir catchment in northern New South Wales.

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Simon Banks said the Gwydir catchment has an adequate volume of environmental water available for the 2026-27 water year.

“As part of our due-diligence process we have analysed the amount of water for the environment needed in the Gwydir catchment for the 2026-27 year and found, even in a very dry scenario, we will hold sufficient volumes to achieve the environmental outcomes we are seeking,” Dr Banks said.

“We would also be able to carryover water into the 2027-28 year,” Dr Banks said.

“It is important to note that this is a sale of annual water allocations, not permanent entitlements.

“To get the most out of the water allocations, I have decided to sell up to 15GL.

“The proceeds of this trade can be used for environmental projects that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental water delivery – everything from the installation of fishways to wetland rehabilitation to flow improvements via water infrastructure.

“An advantage of our Environmental Activities program is that we partner with other agencies and organisations to provide funding so the dollar value of projects is increased which in turn increases environmental outcomes.”

The sale via competitive tender opens on September 29 and closes October 1.

The details of the sale can be found at Water trading.

The proceeds of this trade must be used to:

• fund environmental activities to improve the delivery of environmental water and maximise environmental outcomes and support cultural connections; and/or,
• purchase water to meet environmental needs in other valleys.

Dr Banks said selling water is one tool in the toolkit in his role as CEWH.

“I am able to trade water allocations if this achieves better environmental outcomes and provides value for money.

“Ultimately I am working to value every drop of water and every dollar.”

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Dr Simon Banks

Dr Banks said the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has since 2014 sold water allocations on five occasions and committed $11.5 million to activities which support the recovery of threatened species and improve wetland health.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s trade intentions website was updated in July foreshadowing a trade in the Gwydir is being considered in 2026-27.

Further sales of annual water allocations in the Murray-Darling Basin may be considered by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder later this year.

According to the trade intentions website, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has foreshadowed a potential for water becoming available for purchase in the Namoi catchment in NSW and the Goulburn catchment in Victoria.

Source: Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder