Zone 1A water price — Greater Goulburn
The Zone 1A (Greater Goulburn) water price is the cost of temporary allocation across the Goulburn system — Shepparton, Tatura, Kyabram and Rochester. It is the most actively traded zone in Victoria, so prices move daily with dairy and horticulture demand. For today’s firm price per megalitre, call (03) 5824 3833.
Need a Zone 1A quote?
Call (03) 5824 3833 or request a callback.
Market data
Recent allocation trades across Victoria.
Recorded transactions from the Victorian Water Register, not indicative quotes. For today's market, call the desk.
Data sourced from the VWR public allocation-market dashboard. Figures are indicative only and may not reflect the price you receive.
Zone 1A price at a glance
- • Quoted in: AUD per megalitre (ML) of temporary allocation
- • System: Greater Goulburn — fed from Lake Eildon, managed by Goulburn-Murray Water
- • Main demand: dairy, stone fruit and pear horticulture, mixed cropping
- • Liquidity: Victoria’s most actively traded zone — tight bid/offer spreads
- • Linked to: Zone 6 & 7 Murray prices via inter-valley transfer (when IVT capacity is open)
What drives the Zone 1A water price?
Zone 1A (Greater Goulburn) allocation prices respond to a handful of forces specific to this system. Understanding them helps buyers and sellers time a trade.
Lake Eildon storage and Goulburn inflows
The volume held in Lake Eildon and seasonal inflows into the Goulburn set the physical ceiling on available allocation. A dry autumn and low carryover into spring compress supply and lift the Zone 1A price; a full storage softens it.
Dairy and Goulburn Valley horticulture demand
Dairy is the largest water user in Zone 1A, and the Goulburn Valley is Australia’s premier stone-fruit and pear region. Horticulture demand is relatively price-inelastic from flowering to harvest (October–March), creating a firm price floor when the season turns dry.
Goulburn-Murray Water allocation announcements
Seasonal allocation percentages announced by GMW and the Victorian Water Register move the market quickly. A below-average opening allocation on 1 July, or a downgrade through the season, pushes prices up; generous announcements ease them.
Inter-valley transfer (IVT) capacity to the Murray
When the Goulburn-to-Murray IVT account has capacity, allocation can flow from Zone 1A into the higher-priced Murray zones, pulling Zone 1A prices toward the Murray. When the IVT cap is reached, Zone 1A can decouple and trade at a discount.
Temporary water vs allocation in Zone 1A
The Zone 1A temporary water price and the Zone 1A allocation price are the same figure — the cost of one season’s water, quoted in AUD per megalitre. It is separate from the price of a permanent water entitlement in this zone, which is the ongoing asset that receives allocation each year. For the full distinction see entitlements vs allocations, or our overview of temporary water prices in Victoria.
Zone 1A water price — FAQs
What is the current Zone 1A water price?
The Zone 1A (Greater Goulburn) allocation price changes daily with storage, demand and seasonal announcements. The Recent allocation trades panel above shows the latest median price per megalitre recorded by the Victorian Water Register for Zone 1A. Published figures can lag the live market by a few days, so for a firm price call Integra on (03) 5824 3833.
How is the Zone 1A water price quoted?
In Australian dollars per megalitre (AUD/ML) of temporary water allocation. A trade of 100 ML at $350/ML costs $35,000 before brokerage and Victorian Water Register transfer fees. The price is for the season’s water only — it does not transfer the underlying entitlement.
Why is Zone 1A sometimes cheaper than the Murray zones?
When the Goulburn-to-Murray inter-valley transfer cap is full, allocation cannot flow out of Zone 1A to meet stronger Murray demand. That trapped supply can leave Zone 1A trading at a discount to Zone 6 and Zone 7. When IVT capacity reopens, the gap narrows.
Is Zone 1A temporary water the same as a water allocation?
Yes. “Temporary water”, “allocation” and “temporary trade” all describe the same thing in Zone 1A — the season’s water priced per megalitre, as opposed to the permanent entitlement that receives it each year.
Where can I see Zone 1A water price history?
The Victorian Water Register publishes recorded Zone 1A allocation-trade prices, and Integra tracks the market daily. For historical context on how Goulburn prices have moved across wet and dry years, ask the desk for our zone price note when you call.
Liz Johnston
Senior Water Broker
Indicative only. Not financial advice. Water trade involves risk of principal loss. Prices shown are indicative and may not reflect current market conditions. All trades subject to Victorian Water Register rules and MDBA water trading rules.