Goulburn-Murray Water is a statutory authority which must legally follow rules and regulations set by the Victorian Parliament. 

The Federal Parliament has also established the Murray-Darling Basin Authority which also imposes release requirements on G-MW. 

The Victorian government appoints board members to administer G-MW. 

The board then appoints staff to run the authority and liaise with government and their departments.

The Eppalock storage was completed in 1964 and holds 305,000ML (305GL). 

Inflows are split between urban water authorities (18 per cent) and G-MW. 

The current cost of entitlement is approximately $1200 per ML and annual fees of approximately $20 per ML. 

During the past 10 years the following policy changes have occurred:

Establishment of bulk entitlement environmental flow requirement (BE);

Decommissioning of Campaspe Irrigation District (water now owned by Victorian environmental water-holder VEWH);

Establishment of Murray-Darling Basin authority and purchasing of entitlement by Commonwealth (CEWH);

Opening of water trading in Southern Basin (ACCC requirement). Any Campaspe entitlement can be  traded and used  in other valleys.This occurs under Inter-Valley Transfer (IVT); and

Establishment of carryover.

A summary of water usage in 2013-14 is as follows (all as GL): inflow - 81; evaporation - 17; Coliban Water - 1; diverter irrigation - 10; IVT - 18; C&V EWH - 13; BE environmental flows - 21.

And a summary for 2014-15 to date: inflow - 20; evaporation - 10; Coliban Water - 5; diverter irrigation - 5; IVT - 18; C&V EWH - 30; BE environmental flows - 9.

Water policy in a continent that has drought and flooding rain is complicated. All around Australia policy is hotly contested, emotional, polarising, and often politicised. 

It has been that way for 100 years, is now, and will be for the next 100 years. 

Decision makers need exceptional wisdom and even greater political courage to ensure sustainable water use for the future.  

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