With the commencement of the Water Act 2007 (Commonwealth) (Water Act), the Australian Government took on new responsibilities relating to the regulation of rural water pricing in the Murray-Darling Basin (Basin). These include new powers related to:

>   fees and charges payable to an irrigation infrastructure operator;
>   bulk water charges;
>   charges for water planning and water management activities; and 
>   fees and charges specified under regulations.

These rules are intended to achieve the Basin water charging objectives and principles in the Water Act. The rules require that wherever a Basin government or agency sets a charge to recover the costs of water planning and management activities, the government or agency must:

>   publish detailed information about the charge; and
>   disclose the process and basis for setting the charge.

From 1 July 2011 government entities that determine water planning and management charges will need to publish information in accordance with the requirements of these rules. More information on the rules can be found on the ACCC website.

GWMWater perform surface water and ground water management and licencing activities on behalf of the Victorian Minister for Water. GWMWater is also the resource manager under the Wimmera Glenelg Bulk Entitlement Order. The rules apply to charges associated with these activities. Information on these charges is available here.