GWMWater customers supplied from rural pipeline systems have fully tradable water allowances, which are registered at an individual customer level with the Victorian Water Register. 

Customers have the option to trade either part or all of these water allowances on a temporary or permanent basis. This means that customers have greater flexibility and freedom in managing their water resources. Customers can:

• amalgamate water allowances
• subdivide water allowances
• permanently trade water allowances
• temporarily trade water allowances.

The information below outlines some of the most important rules and conditions concerning the trade and purchase of water allowances. You'll find more detailed information on the application forms, or if you'd rather have a discussion, feel free to give us a call.

Water can be traded between your properties, between friends, family or other pipeline customers, or through Water Partners. Water availability and prices can be found on the website. 

Amalgamating a water allowance

Amalgamation of water allowances is the combining of two or more existing water allowances into a single entity.

• The allowances need to be held in common ownership or be associated to a single farming enterprise.
• The appropriate documents and proof are required if allowances aren't in common ownership (e.g. a partnership agreement or lease document).
• The amalgamated allowance can only be attached to one supply system.
• Approval is dependent on the capability of the pipeline system as determined by GWMWater's hydraulic model.

Download an   Application to Amalgamate a Water Allowance

Subdividing a water allowance

The subdivision of a water allowance splits a single water allowance into two or more water allowances.

• Water allowances can be made up of more than one land parcel.
• Water allowances must be connected to land with existing meters, or to lands that have lodged an application to connect with the rural supply system.
• The owner of the water allowance decides how the water will be subdivided and reallocated.
• Land parcels with only standard meters require a water allowance of at least 100 kL.
• The primary allowance of 730 kL will remain with the primary (house) meter.
• Sharing meters between land parcels isn't allowed.

Download an  Application to Subdivide a Water Allowance

Permanent and temporary trade of a water allowance

A permanent water trade transfers ownership of a water allowance on a permanent basis. A temporary water trade transfers ownership of a water allowance on a temporary basis for the remainder of that particular financial year.

• The minimum volume of water allowance able to be traded is 100 kL.
• The primary allowance of 730 kL isn't permitted to be traded and is vested with GWMWater.
• Water allowances can't be traded between the Grampians and Murray delivery systems.
• Approval is dependent on the capability of the pipeline system as determined by GWMWater's hydraulic model
• A minimum standard allowance of 100 kL is required to be connected to the pipeline system. If you want to trade all of your standard allowance, you need to disconnect from the system at your own expense.
• The water rates associated with the seller’s water allowance must be paid before a trade being approved.

Download an  Application for Permanent Trade of Water Allowance

Download an  Application for Temporary Trade of Water Allowance

Pipeline water allowance trading is covered by Section 124 of the Water Act 1989 and supplied in accordance with the conditions contained in GWMWater’s  Rural Customer Charter.

We believe climate change poses a great threat to our water supply, our environment and our way of life. That's why we're taking a proactive approach in our policies regarding climate change. We're reducing our environmental impact, adapting to the climate future and working toward a regional response.

Our Sustainability Strategy is an important part of our response to climate change. The report details our sustainability objectives and how we hope to achieve these goals.

Read our Sustainability Strategy for more details on how we're planning for climate change at GWMWater.

Reducing our environmental footprint

We're committed to reducing our environmental footprint and are working to minimise greenhouse gas emissions for our organisation. We've been working toward a reduced environmental footprint for a long time and have a number of programs in place to help us achieve this goal.

So far we've managed to achieve zero emissions for our vehicle fleet, offices and depots.

• Our large vehicle fleet covers a lot a kilometres across a service area almost the size of Tasmania! To reduce fuel consumption we've focused on fuel-efficient driving, among other measures.
• GWMWater offices and depots are avoiding and reducing emissions by installing energy-saving measures such as solar panels and more efficient lighting, and turning things off when not in use.
• We have also purchased carbon offsets to achieve zero emissions. The purchase goes toward a reduction of 1 tonne in greenhouse gases.

Adapting to the future - a regional response

Our most significant adaptation project has been the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project. This large-scale project replaced 17,500 km of inefficient open irrigation channels with 9,159 km of pipeline. This initiative has guaranteed a more secure water supply for rural and urban residents and delivered water to recreational lakes and the environment. The pipeline is a part of our strategy to adapt to a changing climate which will likely see increases in extreme conditions such as drought.

But there's still work to be done! Even now we're working toward long-term solutions with our Water Supply Demand Strategy. The Strategy will ensure that we're assessing long-term water supply and demand under a range of possible future climate scenarios. It considers a range of factors that influence customer demands as well as the impact of climate on available supply. Our planning and action in these areas is also linked with the Victorian Government's Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy. This strategy forecasts and plans for future drought and the uncertainty of climate change.

Our experienced Executive Management Team brings a wealth of experience, diversity and innovation to GWMWater.

The Executive Team ensures the smooth day-to-day operation of GWMWater, as well as implementing strategic direction as determined by the board. They're responsible for managing key business areas such as stakeholder management, finances, service delivery and infrastructure. Leading our dedicated and expert staff, the Executive Team ensures that GWMWater maintains its reputation as an outstanding water corporation.

Mark Williams

Managing Director

Mark has been with GWMWater and the former Grampians Water since 1996. Mark was Chief Financial Officer until November 2011 when appointed to the position of Managing Director. In this time Mark has been responsible for overseeing the commercial implementation of water reforms in the region that include the delivery of water quality upgrades, investments that have improved water security and the introduction of independent service and price regulation by the Essential Services Commission.

Mark brings a wealth of experience to the role beyond his water industry experience which includes roles in the power industry, health and public service where he started his career in 1985. Mark served on the Wimmera Health Care Group Board from 2001 to 2016 and held the office of President in the period 2011 to 2016. During 2017 Mark joined the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership, established by the Victorian government in 2016, to recognise that local communities are in the best position to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by their region.

Mark is also a Director of the Board of the Horsham Golf Club in the capacity of Secretary. Mark joined the Golf Club Board in 2017 and has assisted with the return of the club to a sustainable financial position. Mark has also committed to serve as a Director on the reconstituted Wimmera Development Association.

Adele Rohde

Executive Manager Customer and Employee Experience

Adele joined GWMWater in 2019 with a background in communications and marketing for the community service sector. Adele’s role oversees communications and engagement, people and culture and customer service.

Sally Marshall, CPA

Executive Manager Strategic Planning and Performance

Sally commenced work with GWMWater in 2006 and has a strong background in finance and technology fields.

Sally is our chief finance officer who is responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction in organisational performance planning, reporting and all financial management activities.

Nalaka Vitharana

Executive Manager Infrastructure

Nalaka re-joined GWMWater in 2019 after previously working with GWMWater (and the former Grampians Water) from 2000 to 2004. He has 25 years' experience in the water sector and is responsible for strategic leadership of Asset Management, Water Regulation, Infrastructure Planning and Project Delivery activities.

Nick Mumford

Executive Manager Service Delivery

Nick joined GWMWater in 2017 with a background in Engineering and Project Management and has seven years experience in the Water Industry. Nick’s role is responsible for management of all operational aspects of the business including the supply of drinking water, wastewater services and rural pipelines. This includes our SCADA and Operations Management Centre.

With over 160 employees, GWMWater is one of the largest organisations in the region. As a service provider and resource manager we have a wide range of functions and responsibilities. A strong and efficient organisational structure is integral to our ongoing success.

GWMWater is currently headed by our Managing Director, Mark Williams. He is assisted by the board and the executive management team, both of which he is a part of.

Executive Management Team

Our experienced Executive Management Team brings a wealth of experience, diversity and innovation to GWMWater.

The Executive Team ensures the smooth day-to-day operation of GWMWater, as well as implementing strategic direction as determined by the board. They're responsible for managing key business areas such as stakeholder management, finances, service delivery and infrastructure. Leading our dedicated and expert staff, the Executive Team ensures that GWMWater maintains its reputation as an outstanding water corporation.

Meet our Executive Management Team

The Board

The GWMWater Board is diverse and multi-faceted, with men and women from all different working and educational backgrounds. Our Board is skills-based and appointed by the Minister. It represents the varied interests of the Grampians Wimmera Mallee region.

The Board is responsible for GWMWater's management in a number of areas. The Board's central purpose is to set the broad strategy and objectives of GWMWater. In doing this, the Board also has responsibility for risk management, organisational efficiencies and compliance, reporting and reviewing.

There are also four standing committees of the Board:

• Environment and Works Committee
• Audit Governance and Risk Committee
• Water Resources Committee
• Remuneration Committee

Meet the Board