The Murrayville Groundwater Management Area (GMA) occupies 1,916 square kms centred on the town of Murrayville, between the Murray Sunset National Park and the Big Desert.

The dominant land use within the GMA is dryland agriculture, however, landholders take advantage of the good quality groundwater and suitable soils to cultivate irrigated crops such as potatoes, cereals and olives.

The area is essentially dependent on groundwater for urban and agricultural water supply, the main resource being the Tertiary Limestone Aquifer. This aquifer - or underground lake - is the primary supply for stock, irrigation and town supplies across the area.

 

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24View a map of the Murrayville GMA (1.4MB)

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Annual Change in Groundwater Levels Graphs

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24New Groundwater Management Plan for Murrayville (389kB, 3 pages)

 

Management Strategy

The Murrayville Local Management Plan (Groundwater) 2017 provides a management strategy for the Tertiary Limestone Aquifer (the Murray Group Limestone). The plan ensures the Aquifer is protected and used so that the community can rely on it for years to come. There's also a focus on educating the community on the importance of good water resource management.

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Murrayville Local Management Plan (Groundwater) 2017 (3.46MB, 42 pages)

 

Trading rules

The Murrayville GMA is managed by the rules according to the Murrayville Local Management Plan (Groundwater) 2017.

  • The Murrayville GMA is divided into six water management zones.
  • Each zone has set upper allocation limits.
  • A transfer of water entitlements (TWE) can be either temporary or permanent.

Restrictions on issuing groundwater licences and TWEs:

  • Approval depends on an assessment confirming that a TWE or groundwater licence won't affect existing groundwater users or the environment.
  • GWMWater won't grant a groundwater licence if it exceeds:

a) the Upper Limit of Allocation for the zone;

b) the Permissible Consumptive Volume (PCV) for the whole protection area.

 

Border Groundwaters Agreement

All groundwater resources along the Victorian-South Australian border are also subject to the Border Groundwaters Agreement. This agreement takes precedence over local water licensing authority policies (such as GWMWater's).

Find out more about the Border Groundwaters Agreement (external webpage).

 

Annual report

Check out our current annual report which contains information on usage, levels and health of the Murrayville GMA.

 

Further information...

About groundwater

Groundwater is an essential resource for our community, especially in the western parts of the region.

 

Apply for a groundwater bore

If you're planning to construct or alter a groundwater bore, you need to apply for a licence before you can start works.

 

Apply for a 'take and use' groundwater licence

To use groundwater for irrigation or other commercial purposes, you must have a ‘take and use’ licence.

 

Customer committees

Annual stakeholder meetings are held to provide an update on groundwater management in the Murrayville GMA. These meetings also provide a forum for consultation with stakeholders.

 

 

 

Select your town from the list below to find out:

  • if you can drink your local water safely
  • what water restrictions apply
  • where your water comes from
  • whether sewerage services are available.

Statements of Water Quality for drinking water towns are also available to download if needed.

If you live in a rural area, select 'rural properties'

Rural Properties Cowangie Hopetoun Minyip Pomonal Ultima
Antwerp Culgoa Horsham Miram Quambatook Underbool
Apsley Dimboola Jeparit Moyston Rainbow Waitchie
Ararat Donald Jung Murrayville Rupanyup Walpeup
Berriwillock Dooen Kaniva Murtoa Sea Lake Warracknabeal
Beulah Edenhope Kiata Nandaly Serviceton Watchem
Birchip Elmhurst Lake Bolac Natimuk Speed Westmere
Brim Glenorchy Lalbert Nhill St Arnaud Wickliffe
Buangor Goroke Lascelles Nullawil Stawell Willaura
Charlton Great Western Lillimur Ouyen Streatham Woomelang
Chillingollah Halls Gap Manangatang Patchewollock Tarranyurk Wycheproof
Chinkapook Harrow Marnoo Pimpinio Tempy Yaapeet

 

 

Further information...

 

Service disruptions

See latest outage and water quality alerts.

 

Water Quality Annual Reports 

Find information on the quality of drinking water supplied to customers within our service area. The report also provides information about where our water is sourced from and how water is treated for safe drinking in different towns.

 

Storage Manager

Find reservoir levels and other information at Storage Manager.

 

Our reservoirs

Our reservoirs and lakes are open to the public for recreational activities.  View current water levels and recreational activities permitted at our lakes and reservoirs.

 

Choose tap water

We're proud to be partners with Choose Tap to spread the word of the benefits of choosing tap water.

 

 

 

Connecting to the West Grampians Rural Pipeline will secure a reliable water supply for your property.

There are many benefits of having a piped supply, from better quality water for bathing and washing to security for firefighting or enterprise opportunities. Read some case studies about how piped water has benefited landholders in our community.

 

More about the West Grampians Rural Pipeline Project

 

What to do

If you're interested in connecting:

  1. Lodge an Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Expression of Interest Form as soon as possible to make sure you're considered for the scheme.
  2. If you're eligible and the project goes ahead, we'll make arrangements to meet with you, view your preferred pipeline route and connection point/s, and talk you through the next steps.

 

Your project information pack

 

About the project . . .

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24West Wimmera Rural Water Supply Feasibility Project

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Map of West Grampians Rural Pipeline Project Boundary

Information for new pipeline customers . . .

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24About GWMWater

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24On-farm Benefits of a Piped Water Supply

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24New Customers - Rural Pipeline Systems

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Information sheet on water allowance scenarios with costs 

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Rural Pipeline Products and Charges

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24On-farm Water Reticulation

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Short Pipeline Extensions

 

Our Customer Charter. . .

We're committed to serving our customers and have developed a charter to reflect our ongoing commitment to you and the community:

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Customer Charter - Rural Summary

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Rural Customer Charter - Full Version 

 

 

Connecting to the East Grampians Rural Pipeline will secure a reliable water supply for your property.

There are many benefits of having a piped supply, from better quality water for bathing and washing to security for firefighting or enterprise opportunities. Read some case studies about how piped water has benefited landholders in our community.

 

More about the East Grampians Rural Pipeline Project

 

Express your interest to connect

Landholders within the project boundary are encouraged to lodge an Expression of Interest to connect to the pipeline.

Our Landholder Liaison team are available to answer your questions or discuss the project during business hours on 1300 659 961.

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24 Download the Expression of Interest form for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline

Landholders still interested in the project that haven’t registered an expression of interest are still encouraged to do so.

 

What you need to know

We have created a series of fact sheets which will help you with what you need to know and do, to connect to the East Grampians Pipeline.

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Overview

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Planning

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Connection

 

Online water calculator available

To assist landholders with calculating water requirements, we encourage landholders to use Agriculture Victoria’s water calculator by visiting their website at http://calculator.agriculture.vic.gov.au/fwcalc/step/home

 

 

Your project information pack

 

About the project . . .

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24View the East Grampians Rural Water Supply Pipeline boundary map

 

Information for new pipeline customers . . .

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24About GWMWater

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24On-farm Benefits of a Piped Water Supply

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24New Customers - Rural Pipeline Systems

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Information sheet on water allowance scenarios with costs

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Rural pipeline products and charges

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24On-farm Water Reticulation 

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Short Pipeline Extensions

 

Our Customer Charter. . .

We're committed to serving our customers and have developed a charter to reflect our ongoing commitment to you and the community:

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Customer Charter - Rural Summary

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Rural Customer Charter - Full Version

 

 

The South West Loddon Pipeline Project is now complete. Connecting to the pipeline will secure a reliable water supply for your property. There are many benefits of having a piped supply, from better quality water for bathing and washing to security for firefighting or enterprise opportunities. Read below some case studies about how piped water has benefited landholders in our community.

What to do

Landowners along the South West Loddon Pipeline route can still apply to connect to the pipeline system.

If you're interested in connecting:

  1. Fill out an Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Expression of Interest form and return to us by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post. 
  2. The Land Liaison Team will contact you and talk you through the next steps.

Service area

Rural landholders within the project boundary shown on the map below may be eligible to connect to the pipeline.

View the interactive map

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24 View map of South West Loddon water supply area


 

Pipeline paves the way for growthHancock029

Dubbed the ‘best development for the region since electricity’, the pipeline provides a secure reticulated water supply to 1500 rural properties in areas surrounding Inglewood, Newbridge, St Arnaud and Wedderburn.

Murphy’s Creek farmer Deb Hancock said the pipeline had given their farm a future for their children, Campbell and Georgia.

Read more

Leach034Buying back time

The South West Loddon Pipeline has provided a secure, readily available water supply for  John and Ann Leach who run 5000 sheep with their son John at Rheola, near Bridgewater in  Central Victoria. It has given them given back precious time to focus their attention on other  demands around their Merino Sheep farming enterprise.

Read more

bridgewater015GWMWater and Coliban Water come together to deliver for customers

More than 3000 Coliban Water urban customers will benefit from the completion of the South West Loddon Pipeline.

Coliban Water contributed $2.7 million to the $89.9-million project; led by GWMWater. Approximately 1170 kilometres of pipeline will provide a raw water supply to properties across 2900 square kilometres in both GWMWater and Coliban Water service areas.

Read more

Leach067A real time saver

The South West Loddon Pipeline has been a boon for Des and Frances Lanyon, providing secure reliable supplies of clean water to both house and farm, and reducing the time and labour spent carting water when dams or other supplies run low.

Read more


  

Your South West Loddon Pipeline information pack

 

About the project . . .

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Securing the Future of the Region

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Map of South West Loddon Pipeline Project Boundary 

 

Information for new pipeline customers . . .

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24About GWMWater

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24On-farm Benefits of a Piped Water Supply

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Benefits of Piped Water for Lifestyle Property Owners

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24New Customers South West Loddon Pipeline - Standard Connections

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24New Customers South West Loddon Pipeline - Pipeline Extensions

 Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Information sheet on water allowance scenarios with costs

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Rural Pipeline Products and Charges

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24On-farm Water Reticulation

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Short Pipeline Extensions

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Landholder Statutory Planning Responsibilities

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Trading Rural Pipeline Water Allowances

 

Our Customer Charter. . .

We're committed to serving our customers and have developed a charter to reflect our ongoing commitment to you and the community:

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Customer Charter - Rural Summary

Adobe PDF file icon 24x24Rural Customer Charter - Full Version