Zone 7 water price — Vic Murray Below Choke
The Zone 7 water price is the cost of temporary allocation in the Victorian Murray downstream of the Barmah Choke. Demand from almonds, citrus and wine grapes makes it one of the most liquid interstate trading zones. For today’s firm price per megalitre, call (03) 5824 3833.
Need a Zone 7 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 7 price at a glance
- • Quoted in: AUD per megalitre (ML) of temporary allocation
- • System: Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke
- • Main demand: almonds, citrus, wine grapes and dairy — large permanent plantings
- • Liquidity: trades closely with NSW and SA Murray zones — highly interstate
- • Key constraint: the Barmah Choke limits how much water can move down to this zone
What drives the Zone 7 water price?
Zone 7 (Vic Murray Below Choke) allocation prices respond to a handful of forces specific to this system. Understanding them helps buyers and sellers time a trade.
Permanent plantings demand — almonds, citrus, wine grapes
Below the Choke is dominated by high-value permanent plantings that cannot defer watering without losing trees. This makes demand relatively price-inelastic and sets a firm floor under the Zone 7 price, especially through the summer irrigation peak.
Interstate liquidity with NSW and SA Murray
Zone 7 shares market dynamics with the NSW and South Australian Murray zones, making it the most liquid interstate trading point. Strong demand or tight supply in NSW or SA quickly transmits into the Zone 7 price.
Storage, inflows and Lake Victoria
Supply depends on Hume and Dartmouth storage, upper-Murray inflows, and water held in Lake Victoria for downstream delivery. Low system storage entering a dry summer tightens supply and lifts the price.
Barmah Choke trade restrictions
Because water must pass the Barmah Choke to reach Zone 7, trade and delivery from upstream can be restricted when the Choke is constrained. Limited ability to move water down to meet demand supports the Zone 7 price relative to above-Choke zones in those periods.
Temporary water vs allocation in Zone 7
The Zone 7 temporary water price and the Zone 7 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 7 water price — FAQs
What is the current Zone 7 water price?
The Zone 7 (Vic Murray Below Choke) allocation price changes daily with storage, interstate demand and Barmah Choke conditions. The Recent allocation trades panel above shows the latest median per megalitre recorded by the Victorian Water Register for Zone 7 when trades are published. For a firm current price, call Integra on (03) 5824 3833.
Why does the Zone 7 price track NSW and SA so closely?
Zone 7 sits below the Barmah Choke and is physically and commercially connected to the NSW and South Australian Murray. Water and demand move relatively freely across these zones, so the Zone 7 price tends to converge with the broader downstream Murray market.
How is the Zone 7 water price quoted?
In Australian dollars per megalitre (AUD/ML) of temporary allocation, before brokerage and Victorian Water Register transfer fees. The price is for the season’s water only and does not transfer the underlying entitlement.
Is Zone 7 temporary water the same as a water allocation?
Yes. In Zone 7, “temporary water”, “allocation” and “temporary trade” describe the same thing — the season’s water priced per megalitre, as distinct from the permanent entitlement that receives an allocation each year.
Where can I see Zone 7 water price data?
The Victorian Water Register publishes recorded Zone 7 allocation-trade prices, and the zone’s strong interstate links mean NSW and SA Murray data are useful cross-references. For the most current read before trading, ask the Integra desk for today’s Zone 7 level.
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.