DEECA Victorian Water Accounts 2024-25

About groundwater

Groundwater is found in the spaces and fractures in rock and sediment beneath the ground’s surface, known as aquifers. Groundwater held in an aquifer can be pumped to the surface for use.

This summary reports on statewide groundwater use, entitlements and compliance, and trade for 2024-25.

We report on groundwater availability and use across 2 different reporting units: groundwater catchments and groundwater management units (GMUs). These can be found in the groundwater local reports.

Victoria has 20 groundwater catchments, 8 in the north and 12 in the south.

Within groundwater catchments, GMUs are typically smaller regions that are either water supply protection areas (WSPAs) or groundwater management areas (GMAs). There are 55 GMUs: 45 are GMAs and 10 are WSPAs.

Groundwater resources that are licensed and used outside a WSPA or GMA are reported as outside management units.

More information:

Groundwater resources are explained in Water resources.
Water management is detailed in How is water managed?
Groundwater accounting is detailed in How do we account for water?

2024-25 overview

Restrictions on use

There were 3 (out of 55) GMUs subject to restrictions on groundwater use, the same as the previous year.

GMU changes

There were 3 gazetted PCV changes to GMUs.

Water use

More groundwater was taken for consumptive use than the previous year.

In 2024-25:

there were a similar number of GMUs displaying stable groundwater level trends, more declining trends and fewer rising trends compared to the previous year
there were 3 GMUs that were subject to restrictions on groundwater use, the same as the previous year
there were 3 gazetted changes made to GMUs
a similar volume of groundwater was available to be taken under entitlements as the previous year
there was 22% more groundwater taken for consumptive purposes than the previous year (365,535 ML, compared to 298,927 ML in 2023-24)
there were more temporary trades of groundwater take and use licences, but fewer permanent trades, and a similar number of trades as part of land transfers compared to the previous year.

Groundwater level trends

Groundwater systems are dynamic and adjust continually to short-term and long-term changes in climate, groundwater withdrawal, and land use. Groundwater trends are one type of measure that can give an indication of the condition of the groundwater resource, somewhat like storage levels for surface water. Trends in groundwater levels reflect differences between the amount of water flowing into (recharge) and out of (discharge or extraction) an aquifer.

For more information on why we report on groundwater levels, see Keeping track of Victoria’s water.

In the Accounts, groundwater level trends for GMUs have been determined based on monitoring data from key bores in the State Observation Bore Network. Trend determinations are made quarterly by comparing each reading to a previous reading in the same season 5 years prior. That is, a summer record is compared to the summer record from 5 years earlier to account for seasonality.

Groundwater level trends reporting in the Accounts does not necessarily represent the status of the resource for management purposes. Groundwater resources are actively managed by rural water corporations. For more detail on management responses, visit Groundwater on the Goulburn-Murray Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and Southern Rural Water websites.

2024-25 groundwater level trends

Table 1 shows groundwater level trends for each quarter in the past two years. Figure 1 shows a graphical representation of the trends for the last quarter of the year, April to June 2025.

The number of GMUs that were categorised as stable was similar to the previous year, whereas there were more as declining and fewer as rising:

Of 10 WSPAs, 3 were categorised as stable, 3 as rising, and 4 as declining, compared to 2 as stable, 7 as rising, and 1 as declining in the previous year.
Of 41 GMAs, 16 were categorised as stable, 12 as rising, 12 as declining, and one as insufficient data, compared to 15 as stable, 16 as rising, 4 as declining, and 5 as insufficient data in the previous year.

Table 1: Groundwater level trends

Groundwater management unit ^{1, 2, 3}	2023-24				2024-25
Groundwater management unit ^{1, 2, 3}	Sep-23	Dec-23	Mar-24	Jun-24	Sep-24	Dec-24	Mar-25	Jun-25
Groundwater management area
Barnawartha	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Rising	Rising
Broken	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Bungaree	Declining	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining	Rising	Stable	Stable
Cardigan	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Declining
Central Victorian Mineral Springs	Rising	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Declining	Stable	Stable
Colongulac	Declining	Stable	Stable	Declining	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Corinella ⁴	Rising	Ins-Data	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Declining
Frankston	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable
Gellibrand	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising
Gerangamete	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Giffard	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Jan Juc	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining
Kiewa	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Declining	Declining	Stable
Lancefield	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable	Rising	Declining	Declining
Leongatha	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining
Lower Ovens	Stable	Declining	Declining	Declining	Stable	Rising	Declining	Stable
Merrimu	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Mid Goulburn	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising
Mid Loddon	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining	Declining
Moe ⁴	Declining	Stable	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Moorabbin	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Declining
Murrayville	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Nepean	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Newlingrook ⁴	Rising	Rising	Rising	Ins-Data	Rising	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Rising
Orbost ⁴	Stable	Rising	Rising	Ins-Data	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Paaratte	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining
Portland ⁴	Declining	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Stable	Ins-Data	Stable	Declining
Rosedale ⁴	Declining	Declining	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Shepparton Irrigation Region	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
South West Limestone	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Stratford	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Strathbogie	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Tarwin	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Upper Goulburn ⁴	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Ins-Data
Upper Murray	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Wa De Lock	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable
Wandin Yallock	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining	Rising
West Campaspe ⁵	Null	Null	Null	Null	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
West Goulburn	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
West Wimmera ⁶	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
West Wimmera - Neuarpur subzone 1	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Stable	Declining	Stable
Wy Yung	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Water supply protection area
Condah	Rising	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Deutgam	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Katunga	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Koo Wee Rup	Rising	Stable	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Declining
Loddon Highlands	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Lower Campaspe Valley	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Sale	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Stable
Upper Ovens River	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Declining
Warrion	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable
Yarram ⁷	Declining	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Declining	Declining

Show notes

Table 1: Groundwater level trends

Groundwater management unit ^{1, 2, 3}	2023-24	2024-25
Groundwater management area
Barnawartha	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Rising	Rising
Broken	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Bungaree	Declining	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining	Rising	Stable	Stable
Cardigan	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Declining
Central Victorian Mineral Springs	Rising	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Declining	Stable	Stable
Colongulac	Declining	Stable	Stable	Declining	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Corinella ⁴	Rising	Ins-Data	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Declining
Frankston	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable
Gellibrand	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising
Gerangamete	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Giffard	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Jan Juc	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining
Kiewa	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Declining	Declining	Stable
Lancefield	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable	Rising	Declining	Declining
Leongatha	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining
Lower Ovens	Stable	Declining	Declining	Declining	Stable	Rising	Declining	Stable
Merrimu	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Mid Goulburn	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising
Mid Loddon	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining	Declining
Moe ⁴	Declining	Stable	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Moorabbin	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Declining
Murrayville	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Nepean	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Newlingrook ⁴	Rising	Rising	Rising	Ins-Data	Rising	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Rising
Orbost ⁴	Stable	Rising	Rising	Ins-Data	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Paaratte	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining
Portland ⁴	Declining	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Stable	Ins-Data	Stable	Declining
Rosedale ⁴	Declining	Declining	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Shepparton Irrigation Region	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
South West Limestone	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Stratford	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Strathbogie	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Tarwin	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
Upper Goulburn ⁴	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Ins-Data	Ins-Data	Ins-Data
Upper Murray	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Wa De Lock	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable
Wandin Yallock	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Rising	Declining	Rising
West Campaspe ⁵	Null	Null	Null	Null	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
West Goulburn	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
West Wimmera ⁶	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable
West Wimmera - Neuarpur subzone 1	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Stable	Declining	Stable
Wy Yung	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Water supply protection area
Condah	Rising	Declining	Declining	Declining	Declining	Stable	Declining	Declining
Deutgam	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Rising	Stable	Stable
Katunga	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Koo Wee Rup	Rising	Stable	Stable	Rising	Rising	Rising	Declining	Declining
Loddon Highlands	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Lower Campaspe Valley	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising
Sale	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Stable
Upper Ovens River	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Stable	Declining
Warrion	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Stable
Yarram ⁷	Declining	Rising	Rising	Rising	Stable	Rising	Declining	Declining

Response to water availability

The amount of water available for consumptive and environmental uses will vary from year to year. The water entitlement and planning framework includes mechanisms that come into play when water is scarce. The aim is to conserve and share water between users in response to seasonal variability and water shortages. These mechanisms include restrictions to licence volumes in groundwater systems.

Groundwater licences are all-year licences. Management plans for some GMUs may include water levels that will trigger restrictions to reduce the volume of water that users can take under their licence.

Groundwater restrictions

In 2024-25, entitlement holders in 3 GMUs were subject to restrictions on groundwater use, the same number as during the previous year. Restrictions are expressed as a percentage (below 100%) of the licence volume that the licence holder is allocated for the year. The restrictions were as follows:

Campaspe groundwater catchment – Barnadown zone in the Lower Campaspe Valley WSPA, 75%.
West Port Phillip Bay groundwater catchment - Deutgam WSPA, 50%.
West Wimmera groundwater catchment - Neuarpur subzone 1 in the West Wimmera GMA, 80%.

Water use

In Victoria, groundwater can be taken from aquifers under entitlements issued and authorised under the Water Act 1989. Both water corporations and individuals/businesses can hold groundwater entitlements, which are generally issued as take and use licences. In addition to this, there is one groundwater bulk entitlement issued to Barwon Water for urban supply to the Greater Geelong area.

The Act also enables individuals to take water for domestic and stock use from groundwater without a take and use licence.

Domestic and stock use is estimated based on the number of domestic and stock bores in each GMU and outside management units.

More information on groundwater accounting and use is detailed in How we account for groundwater.

Total use and use by type

The total groundwater use across the state - including domestic and stock use - was 365,536 ML, which was more than the 298,927 ML used in 2023-24 (Figure 2 and Table 2).

Use in groundwater management units (GMAs and WSPAs):

There was 833,530 ML of licensed entitlement and 311,569 ML of metered use (compared to 831,890 ML of licensed entitlement and 245,935 ML of metered use in 2023-24).
There was 22,289 ML of estimated domestic and stock use (compared to 22,336 ML in 2023-24).

Use outside of management units:

There was 117,866 ML of licensed entitlement and 24,025 ML of metered use (compared to 117,244 ML of licensed entitlement and 23,149 ML of metered use in 2023-24).
There was 7,652 ML of estimated domestic and stock use (compared to 7,507 ML in 2023-24).

Use by type

In 2024-25, groundwater was used for:

irrigation/commercial purposes*: 299,102 ML (82% of total use)
urban purposes: 10,603 ML (3% of total use)
power generation: 25,890 ML (7% of total use)
domestic and stock purposes: 29,941 ML (8% of total use). This estimate is based on a count of 17,867 domestic and stock bores in Victoria that were less than 30 years old (considered to be currently active) in 2023-24 (compared to 17,815 in 2023-24).

* Note: Data for the irrigation and commercial categories are reported together as they cannot be separated for groundwater use.

Figure 2 and Table 2 show the volumes of groundwater use by type.

Table 2: Groundwater diverted for different consumptive uses

Groundwater management unit	Irrigation / commercial (ML)	Urban (ML)	Power generation (ML)	Domestic and stock (ML)	Total
Barnawartha GMA	10	0	0	70	80
Broken GMA	427	0	0	722	1,149
Bungaree GMA	3,368	48	0	125	3,541
Cardigan GMA	310	951	0	102	1,363
Central Victorian Mineral Springs GMA	1,136	107	0	2,010	3,253
Colongulac GMA	1,365	0	0	62	1,427
Condah WSPA	3,176	31	0	93	3,300
Corinella GMA	56	0	0	44	100
Cut Paw Paw GMA	102	0	0	5	107
Denison GMA	5,255	0	0	81	5,336
Deutgam WSPA	178	0	0	60	238
Eildon GMA	197	0	0	646	843
Frankston GMA	564	0	0	41	605
Gerangamete GMA	238	0	0	5	243
Giffard GMA	3,340	0	0	155	3,495
Glenormiston GMA	685	0	0	45	730
Jan Juc GMA	42	0	0	8	50
Katunga WSPA	19,178	51	0	1,440	20,669
Kiewa GMA	428	0	0	428	856
Koo Wee Rup WSPA	3,522	110	0	617	4,249
Lancefield GMA	252	0	0	41	293
Leongatha GMA	85	0	0	44	129
Loddon Highlands WSPA	7,971	823	0	762	9,556
Lower Campaspe Valley WSPA	34,527	146	0	754	35,427
Lower Ovens GMA	6,758	209	0	2,156	9,123
Merrimu GMA	0	0	0	11	11
Mid Goulburn GMA	3,402	0	0	226	3,628
Mid Loddon GMA	26,160	0	0	298	26,458
Moe GMA	383	0	0	104	487
Moorabbin GMA	775	0	0	257	1,032
Murrayville GMA	6,755	157	0	64	6,976
Nepean GMA	3,435	0	0	1,838	5,273
Newlingrook GMA	0	715	0	2	717
Orbost GMA	79	0	0	3	82
Outside management units	22,924	1,101	0	7,652	31,677
Paaratte GMA	0	492	0	2	494
Portland GMA	0	2,315	0	3	2,318
Rosedale GMA	6,649	0	5,216	230	12,095
Sale WSPA	9,564	1,971	0	366	11,901
Shepparton Irrigation Region GMA	40,332	0	0	1,644	41,976
South West Limestone GMA	35,730	512	0	2,274	38,516
Stratford GMA	189	0	20,674	26	20,889
Strathbogie GMA	508	0	0	474	982
Tarwin GMA	6	0	0	285	291
Upper Goulburn GMA	904	0	0	960	1,864
Upper Murray GMA	664	73	0	426	1,163
Upper Ovens River WSPA	1,013	0	0	278	1,291
Wa De Lock GMA	3,701	75	0	354	4,130
Wandin Yallock GMA	472	0	0	48	520
Warrion WSPA	3,569	0	0	156	3,725
West Campaspe GMA	1,104	0	0	18	1,122
West Goulburn GMA	1,422	0	0	214	1,636
West Wimmera GMA	23,140	659	0	820	24,619
Wy Yung GMA	416	0	0	12	428
Yarram WSPA	12,636	57	0	380	13,073
Total 2024-25	299,102	10,603	25,890	29,941	365,536
Total 2023-24	238,390	8,333	22,359	29,843	298,925

Groundwater management unit	Irrigation / commercial (ML)	Urban (ML)	Power generation (ML)	Domestic and stock (ML)	Total
Barnawartha GMA	10	0	0	70	80
Broken GMA	427	0	0	722	1,149
Bungaree GMA	3,368	48	0	125	3,541
Cardigan GMA	310	951	0	102	1,363
Central Victorian Mineral Springs GMA	1,136	107	0	2,010	3,253
Colongulac GMA	1,365	0	0	62	1,427
Condah WSPA	3,176	31	0	93	3,300
Corinella GMA	56	0	0	44	100
Cut Paw Paw GMA	102	0	0	5	107
Denison GMA	5,255	0	0	81	5,336
Deutgam WSPA	178	0	0	60	238
Eildon GMA	197	0	0	646	843
Frankston GMA	564	0	0	41	605
Gerangamete GMA	238	0	0	5	243
Giffard GMA	3,340	0	0	155	3,495
Glenormiston GMA	685	0	0	45	730
Jan Juc GMA	42	0	0	8	50
Katunga WSPA	19,178	51	0	1,440	20,669
Kiewa GMA	428	0	0	428	856
Koo Wee Rup WSPA	3,522	110	0	617	4,249
Lancefield GMA	252	0	0	41	293
Leongatha GMA	85	0	0	44	129
Loddon Highlands WSPA	7,971	823	0	762	9,556
Lower Campaspe Valley WSPA	34,527	146	0	754	35,427
Lower Ovens GMA	6,758	209	0	2,156	9,123
Merrimu GMA	0	0	0	11	11
Mid Goulburn GMA	3,402	0	0	226	3,628
Mid Loddon GMA	26,160	0	0	298	26,458
Moe GMA	383	0	0	104	487
Moorabbin GMA	775	0	0	257	1,032
Murrayville GMA	6,755	157	0	64	6,976
Nepean GMA	3,435	0	0	1,838	5,273
Newlingrook GMA	0	715	0	2	717
Orbost GMA	79	0	0	3	82
Outside management units	22,924	1,101	0	7,652	31,677
Paaratte GMA	0	492	0	2	494
Portland GMA	0	2,315	0	3	2,318
Rosedale GMA	6,649	0	5,216	230	12,095
Sale WSPA	9,564	1,971	0	366	11,901
Shepparton Irrigation Region GMA	40,332	0	0	1,644	41,976
South West Limestone GMA	35,730	512	0	2,274	38,516
Stratford GMA	189	0	20,674	26	20,889
Strathbogie GMA	508	0	0	474	982
Tarwin GMA	6	0	0	285	291
Upper Goulburn GMA	904	0	0	960	1,864
Upper Murray GMA	664	73	0	426	1,163
Upper Ovens River WSPA	1,013	0	0	278	1,291
Wa De Lock GMA	3,701	75	0	354	4,130
Wandin Yallock GMA	472	0	0	48	520
Warrion WSPA	3,569	0	0	156	3,725
West Campaspe GMA	1,104	0	0	18	1,122
West Goulburn GMA	1,422	0	0	214	1,636
West Wimmera GMA	23,140	659	0	820	24,619
Wy Yung GMA	416	0	0	12	428
Yarram WSPA	12,636	57	0	380	13,073
Total 2024-25	299,102	10,603	25,890	29,941	365,536
Total 2023-24	238,390	8,333	22,359	29,843	298,925

Entitlements and compliance

Entitlements

Entitlements provide the basis for how water is shared. The total volume of entitlements changes each year as new entitlements are issued, or existing entitlements are modified. All GMUs have a permissible consumptive volume (PCV), which limits the volume of groundwater that can be allocated. In areas that have reached the PCV and allocated all available groundwater within the limit, no new entitlements are created unless water savings are made, and so there is no net increase in entitlement volume.

More information on groundwater management arrangements is detailed in How we account for groundwater.

Groundwater entitlements and use from each GMA and WSPA are detailed in Table 3.

In 2024-25, the total licensed entitlement volume for Victoria was 951,396 ML. This was very close to the licensed volume in 2023-24 (949,134 ML).

Available water and take

Total groundwater available under entitlements is calculated as the sum of: opening carryover from the prior year (where available), allocation issued during the reporting year, and the net trade in or out of water, across all entitlements. The level of allocation issued is reduced if there are any restrictions in place.

In 2024-25 (Table 3 and Figure 4):

1,014,728 ML was available to take under entitlements (compared to 996,860 ML in 2023-24)
335,594 ML was taken under entitlements (compared to 269,084 ML in 2023-24).

Groundwater entitlement and groundwater taken for consumptive use

In Table 3:

permissible consumptive volume (PCV) sets the total volume of groundwater that may be licensed and taken in a GMU. PCVs are declared by the Minister for Water through an order published in the Victoria Government Gazette
licensed entitlement volume shows the volume of entitlements for each GMU as at the end of the water year
the water available and taken under licenses section shows the total volume of groundwater available for extraction during the water year, and the volume of licensed use in GMUs and outside management units. Total water available under entitlements is the sum of: opening carryover, allocation issued and the net trade in of water
the compliance sectionshows how much groundwater was taken as a percentage of the PCV and whether there was any additional license volume available within the PCV limit
estimated domestic and stock use is based on the number of domestic and stock bores in each GMU and outside management units within each water corporation area.

The accounting method is explained further in How we account for groundwater.

Figure 5 shows the licensed entitlement, licensed use, and domestic and stock use for the last 7 years.

Table 3: Groundwater entitlements and groundwater taken for consumptive use

Groundwater management unit	Entitlement volume (ML)		Water available and taken under licences (ML)					Compliance			Domestic and stock estimated use (ML) ¹	Total use (licensed + domestic and stock) (ML)
Groundwater management unit	PCV	Licensed entitlement	Carryover	Water allocated	Net trade	Total water available	Water taken under licences	Water taken as % of PCV	Water taken as % of licensed entitlement	Licence volume available under PCV (ML)	Domestic and stock estimated use (ML) ¹	Total use (licensed + domestic and stock) (ML)
Goulburn-Murray Water
Groundwater management areas
Barnawartha GMA	2,100	375	-	375	-	375	10	0%	3%	1,725	70	80
Broken GMA	3,732	2,942	-	2,942	-	2,942	427	11%	15%	790	722	1,149
Central Victorian Mineral Springs GMA	6,024	5,232	-	5,242	-	5,242	1,243	21%	24%	792	2,010	3,253
Eildon GMA	1,496	537	-	537	-	537	197	13%	37%	959	646	843
Kiewa GMA	3,852	3,114	-	3,115	-	3,115	428	11%	14%	738	428	856
Lower Ovens GMA	25,200	19,809	-	19,863	(39)	19,824	6,966	28%	35%	5,391	2,156	9,122
Mid Goulburn GMA	12,470	12,465	2,486	12,465	-	14,951	3,402	27%	27%	5	226	3,628
Mid Loddon GMA	34,037	33,927	9,927	33,927	-	43,855	26,160	77%	77%	110	298	26,458
Shepparton Irrigation Region GMA ²^{, 3}	n/a	184,693	-	185,381	-	185,381	40,332	n/a	22%	n/a	1,644	41,976
Strathbogie GMA	1,660	1,373	-	1,373	-	1,373	508	31%	37%	287	474	982
Upper Goulburn GMA	8,568	6,093	-	6,112	-	6,112	904	11%	15%	2,475	960	1,864
Upper Murray GMA	7,674	3,616	-	3,663	-	3,663	737	10%	20%	4,058	426	1,163
West Campaspe GMA ⁴	n/a	2,453	-	2,453	-	2,453	1,104	n/a	45%	n/a	18	1,122
West Goulburn GMA ⁵	n/a	2,974	225	2,998	-	3,223	1,422	n/a	48%	n/a	214	1,636
Water supply protection areas
Katunga WSPA	60,577	60,185	-	60,191	-	60,191	19,229	32%	32%	392	1,440	20,669
Loddon Highlands WSPA	20,697	20,483	3,054	20,483	-	23,536	8,794	42%	43%	214	762	9,556
Lower Campaspe Valley WSPA ⁶	55,875	55,860	13,920	53,862	-	67,781	34,673	62%	62%	15	754	35,427
Upper Ovens River WSPA ⁷	n/a	3,609	-	3,553	(739)	2,814	1,013	n/a	28%	n/a	278	1,291
Outside management units
Outside management units - Goulburn-Murray Water	n/a	10,693	-	12,697	-	12,697	2,733	n/a	26%	n/a	1,420	4,153
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water
Groundwater management areas
Murrayville GMA	11,005	9,755	2,192	9,755	-	11,947	6,912	63%	71%	1,250	64	6,976
West Wimmera GMA ⁸^{, 9}	57,409	53,345	13,531	49,227	-	62,758	23,799	41%	45%	4,064	820	24,619
Outside management units
Outside management units - Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water	n/a	9,513	-	9,543	-	9,543	1,551	n/a	16%	n/a	346	1,897
Lower Murray Water
Outside management units
Outside management units - Lower Murray Water	n/a	10,000	-	10,000	-	10,000	542	n/a	5%	n/a	-	542
Southern Rural Water
Groundwater management areas
Bungaree GMA	5,334	5,293	-	5,291	-	5,291	3,416	64%	65%	41	125	3,541
Cardigan GMA	3,967	3,889	-	3,889	-	3,889	1,261	32%	32%	78	102	1,363
Colongulac GMA	4,695	4,400	-	4,400	-	4,400	1,365	29%	31%	295	62	1,427
Corinella GMA	2,550	662	-	662	-	662	56	2%	8%	1,888	44	100
Cut Paw Paw GMA	3,650	511	-	511	-	511	102	3%	20%	3,139	5	107
Denison GMA	18,502	18,495	-	18,751	-	18,751	5,255	28%	28%	7	81	5,336
Frankston GMA	3,200	2,710	-	2,710	-	2,710	564	18%	21%	490	41	605
Gellibrand GMA ¹⁰	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0%	0%	-	-	-
Gerangamete GMA	239	238	-	238	-	238	238	100%	100%	1	5	243
Giffard GMA	5,689	5,689	-	5,689	-	5,689	3,340	59%	59%	-	155	3,495
Glenormiston GMA	2,698	2,630	-	2,630	-	2,630	685	25%	26%	68	45	730
Jan Juc GMA ¹¹	14,250	14,250	-	14,250	-	14,250	42	0%	0%	-	8	50
Lancefield GMA	1,485	1,378	-	1,378	-	1,378	252	17%	18%	107	41	293
Leongatha GMA	6,500	1,833	-	1,833	-	1,833	85	1%	5%	4,667	44	129
Merrimu GMA	451	8	-	8	-	8	-	0%	0%	443	11	11
Moe GMA	8,200	3,766	-	3,766	-	3,766	383	5%	10%	4,434	104	487
Moorabbin GMA	2,700	2,624	-	2,623	-	2,623	775	29%	30%	76	257	1,032
Nepean GMA	6,110	6,110	-	6,110	-	6,110	3,435	56%	56%	-	1,838	5,273
Newlingrook GMA	1,977	1,961	-	1,961	-	1,961	715	36%	36%	16	2	717
Orbost GMA	1,217	1,217	-	1,217	-	1,217	79	6%	6%	-	3	82
Paaratte GMA	4,606	3,159	-	3,159	-	3,159	492	11%	16%	1,447	2	494
Portland GMA	7,795	7,794	-	7,794	-	7,794	2,315	30%	30%	1	3	2,318
Rosedale GMA ⁸^{, 12}^{, 13}	23,373	23,183	-	23,204	-	23,204	11,865	51%	51%	190	230	12,095
South West Limestone GMA ¹⁴	n/a	81,290	23,075	81,175	-	104,250	36,242	n/a	45%	n/a	2,274	38,516
Stratford GMA ⁸^{, 12}	27,686	31,863	-	31,513	-	31,513	20,863	75%	65%	n/a	26	20,889
Tarwin GMA	1,300	58	-	58	-	58	6	0%	10%	1,242	285	291
Wa De Lock GMA ⁸^{, 13}	30,735	29,052	-	29,067	-	29,067	3,777	12%	13%	1,683	354	4,131
Wandin Yallock GMA	3,027	3,025	-	3,020	-	3,020	472	16%	16%	2	48	520
Wy Yung GMA ⁸	7,463	7,462	-	7,462	-	7,462	416	6%	6%	1	12	428
Water supply protection areas
Condah WSPA	7,475	7,470	-	7,470	-	7,470	3,207	43%	43%	5	93	3,300
Deutgam WSPA ¹⁵	5,100	5,082	-	2,541	-	2,541	178	3%	4%	18	60	238
Koo Wee Rup WSPA	12,915	12,564	-	12,587	-	12,587	3,632	28%	29%	351	617	4,249
Sale WSPA ¹³	20,297	21,263	-	21,972	-	21,972	11,534	57%	54%	(966)	366	11,900
Warrion WSPA	14,086	14,073	-	14,139	-	14,139	3,569	25%	25%	13	156	3,725
Yarram WSPA	25,690	25,688	-	26,357	-	26,357	12,693	49%	49%	2	380	13,073
Outside management units
Outside management units - Southern Rural Water	n/a	87,660	-	87,905	-	87,905	19,199	n/a	22%	n/a	5,886	25,085
Total 2024-25		951,396	68,410	947,097	(778)	1,014,728	335,594		35%	43,004	29,941	365,535
Total 2023-24		949,134	70,582	926,734	(455)	996,860	269,084		28%	42,761	29,843	298,927

Show notes

Table 3: Groundwater entitlements and groundwater taken for consumptive use

Groundwater management unit	Entitlement volume (ML)	Water available and taken under licences (ML)	Compliance	Domestic and stock estimated use (ML) ¹	Total use (licensed + domestic and stock) (ML)
Goulburn-Murray Water
Groundwater management areas
Barnawartha GMA	2,100	375	-	375	-	375	10	0%	3%	1,725	70	80
Broken GMA	3,732	2,942	-	2,942	-	2,942	427	11%	15%	790	722	1,149
Central Victorian Mineral Springs GMA	6,024	5,232	-	5,242	-	5,242	1,243	21%	24%	792	2,010	3,253
Eildon GMA	1,496	537	-	537	-	537	197	13%	37%	959	646	843
Kiewa GMA	3,852	3,114	-	3,115	-	3,115	428	11%	14%	738	428	856
Lower Ovens GMA	25,200	19,809	-	19,863	(39)	19,824	6,966	28%	35%	5,391	2,156	9,122
Mid Goulburn GMA	12,470	12,465	2,486	12,465	-	14,951	3,402	27%	27%	5	226	3,628
Mid Loddon GMA	34,037	33,927	9,927	33,927	-	43,855	26,160	77%	77%	110	298	26,458
Shepparton Irrigation Region GMA ²^{, 3}	n/a	184,693	-	185,381	-	185,381	40,332	n/a	22%	n/a	1,644	41,976
Strathbogie GMA	1,660	1,373	-	1,373	-	1,373	508	31%	37%	287	474	982
Upper Goulburn GMA	8,568	6,093	-	6,112	-	6,112	904	11%	15%	2,475	960	1,864
Upper Murray GMA	7,674	3,616	-	3,663	-	3,663	737	10%	20%	4,058	426	1,163
West Campaspe GMA ⁴	n/a	2,453	-	2,453	-	2,453	1,104	n/a	45%	n/a	18	1,122
West Goulburn GMA ⁵	n/a	2,974	225	2,998	-	3,223	1,422	n/a	48%	n/a	214	1,636
Water supply protection areas
Katunga WSPA	60,577	60,185	-	60,191	-	60,191	19,229	32%	32%	392	1,440	20,669
Loddon Highlands WSPA	20,697	20,483	3,054	20,483	-	23,536	8,794	42%	43%	214	762	9,556
Lower Campaspe Valley WSPA ⁶	55,875	55,860	13,920	53,862	-	67,781	34,673	62%	62%	15	754	35,427
Upper Ovens River WSPA ⁷	n/a	3,609	-	3,553	(739)	2,814	1,013	n/a	28%	n/a	278	1,291
Outside management units
Outside management units - Goulburn-Murray Water	n/a	10,693	-	12,697	-	12,697	2,733	n/a	26%	n/a	1,420	4,153
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water
Groundwater management areas
Murrayville GMA	11,005	9,755	2,192	9,755	-	11,947	6,912	63%	71%	1,250	64	6,976
West Wimmera GMA ⁸^{, 9}	57,409	53,345	13,531	49,227	-	62,758	23,799	41%	45%	4,064	820	24,619
Outside management units
Outside management units - Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water	n/a	9,513	-	9,543	-	9,543	1,551	n/a	16%	n/a	346	1,897
Lower Murray Water
Outside management units
Outside management units - Lower Murray Water	n/a	10,000	-	10,000	-	10,000	542	n/a	5%	n/a	-	542
Southern Rural Water
Groundwater management areas
Bungaree GMA	5,334	5,293	-	5,291	-	5,291	3,416	64%	65%	41	125	3,541
Cardigan GMA	3,967	3,889	-	3,889	-	3,889	1,261	32%	32%	78	102	1,363
Colongulac GMA	4,695	4,400	-	4,400	-	4,400	1,365	29%	31%	295	62	1,427
Corinella GMA	2,550	662	-	662	-	662	56	2%	8%	1,888	44	100
Cut Paw Paw GMA	3,650	511	-	511	-	511	102	3%	20%	3,139	5	107
Denison GMA	18,502	18,495	-	18,751	-	18,751	5,255	28%	28%	7	81	5,336
Frankston GMA	3,200	2,710	-	2,710	-	2,710	564	18%	21%	490	41	605
Gellibrand GMA ¹⁰	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0%	0%	-	-	-
Gerangamete GMA	239	238	-	238	-	238	238	100%	100%	1	5	243
Giffard GMA	5,689	5,689	-	5,689	-	5,689	3,340	59%	59%	-	155	3,495
Glenormiston GMA	2,698	2,630	-	2,630	-	2,630	685	25%	26%	68	45	730
Jan Juc GMA ¹¹	14,250	14,250	-	14,250	-	14,250	42	0%	0%	-	8	50
Lancefield GMA	1,485	1,378	-	1,378	-	1,378	252	17%	18%	107	41	293
Leongatha GMA	6,500	1,833	-	1,833	-	1,833	85	1%	5%	4,667	44	129
Merrimu GMA	451	8	-	8	-	8	-	0%	0%	443	11	11
Moe GMA	8,200	3,766	-	3,766	-	3,766	383	5%	10%	4,434	104	487
Moorabbin GMA	2,700	2,624	-	2,623	-	2,623	775	29%	30%	76	257	1,032
Nepean GMA	6,110	6,110	-	6,110	-	6,110	3,435	56%	56%	-	1,838	5,273
Newlingrook GMA	1,977	1,961	-	1,961	-	1,961	715	36%	36%	16	2	717
Orbost GMA	1,217	1,217	-	1,217	-	1,217	79	6%	6%	-	3	82
Paaratte GMA	4,606	3,159	-	3,159	-	3,159	492	11%	16%	1,447	2	494
Portland GMA	7,795	7,794	-	7,794	-	7,794	2,315	30%	30%	1	3	2,318
Rosedale GMA ⁸^{, 12}^{, 13}	23,373	23,183	-	23,204	-	23,204	11,865	51%	51%	190	230	12,095
South West Limestone GMA ¹⁴	n/a	81,290	23,075	81,175	-	104,250	36,242	n/a	45%	n/a	2,274	38,516
Stratford GMA ⁸^{, 12}	27,686	31,863	-	31,513	-	31,513	20,863	75%	65%	n/a	26	20,889
Tarwin GMA	1,300	58	-	58	-	58	6	0%	10%	1,242	285	291
Wa De Lock GMA ⁸^{, 13}	30,735	29,052	-	29,067	-	29,067	3,777	12%	13%	1,683	354	4,131
Wandin Yallock GMA	3,027	3,025	-	3,020	-	3,020	472	16%	16%	2	48	520
Wy Yung GMA ⁸	7,463	7,462	-	7,462	-	7,462	416	6%	6%	1	12	428
Water supply protection areas
Condah WSPA	7,475	7,470	-	7,470	-	7,470	3,207	43%	43%	5	93	3,300
Deutgam WSPA ¹⁵	5,100	5,082	-	2,541	-	2,541	178	3%	4%	18	60	238
Koo Wee Rup WSPA	12,915	12,564	-	12,587	-	12,587	3,632	28%	29%	351	617	4,249
Sale WSPA ¹³	20,297	21,263	-	21,972	-	21,972	11,534	57%	54%	(966)	366	11,900
Warrion WSPA	14,086	14,073	-	14,139	-	14,139	3,569	25%	25%	13	156	3,725
Yarram WSPA	25,690	25,688	-	26,357	-	26,357	12,693	49%	49%	2	380	13,073
Outside management units
Outside management units - Southern Rural Water	n/a	87,660	-	87,905	-	87,905	19,199	n/a	22%	n/a	5,886	25,085
Total 2024-25		951,396	68,410	947,097	(778)	1,014,728	335,594		35%	43,004	29,941	365,535
Total 2023-24		949,134	70,582	926,734	(455)	996,860	269,084		28%	42,761	29,843	298,927

Figure 6: Urban groundwater use by groundwater catchment

Figure 6: Urban groundwater use by groundwater catchment

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Figure 7: Irrigation groundwater use by groundwater catchment

Figure 7: Irrigation groundwater use by groundwater catchment

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Compliance

Compliance against groundwater entitlements is reported in these Accounts in 3 areas:

entitlement issued: that the volume of entitlements (not applicable for domestic and stock water use) issued in a GMU (either a WSPA or a GMA) does not exceed the PCV or has not increased without appropriate approvals
water taken: that the volume of water taken under entitlements during the year does not exceed the total water available to licence holders in that year
bulk entitlement provisions: that holders of entitlements do not breach any provisions that are documented in their bulk entitlement orders.

PCV compliance is not assessed in the following 7 GMUs:

Rosedale and Stratford GMAs: current compliance assessment criteria are not applicable. Coal mine licences are physically located in the area, however due to a lack of clarity about the inter-aquifer behaviour of resources, it is not possible to assign or assess licence volume and extraction against the Rosedale or Stratford GMA PCV.
Shepparton Irrigation Region GMA: there is no PCV as there is no limit on the total volume of shallow groundwater entitlement available.
South West Limestone GMA: there is no PCV that applies for the whole of the South West Limestone GMA. The South West Limestone GMA includes the areas of the former Nullawarre and Yangery WSPAs, and the Hawkesdale and Heywood GMAs, as well as the areas outside the former GMUs but included within the South West Limestone GMA boundary. The PCVs for the 4 GMUs have not been revoked and still apply. The PCV volumes are: 22,741 ML for Nullawarre, 14,352 ML for Yangery, 16,161 ML for Hawkesdale and 8,500 ML for Heywood. Currently, compliance against these previous GMUs cannot be confidently assessed due to data limitations, and consequently there is a risk that PCVs may be exceeded. Improvements are underway to address this limitation in future Accounts.
Upper Ovens River WSPA: a PCV is not required because the management plan prevents additional entitlements or an increase in entitlement volume from being issued, except by trade.
West Campaspe GMA: there is no PCV set for the West Campaspe GMA. However, licence volumes from Deep Lead resources with the Gunbower Zone are subject to an annual limit of 5,200 ML. Applications for licences in the Gunbower Zone that exceed the annual limit will require detailed technical investigation.
West Goulburn GMA: there is no PCV, but there are individual zone caps set. The total licensed use in the West Goulburn GMA in 2024-25 was 1,422 ML, 48% of the total licensed volume.

For West Wimmera GMA, Wy Yung GMA, Nepean GMA, Rosedale GMA, Stratford GMA and Wa De Lock GMA, the PCV that applies is the sum of the PCVs for all zones within each GMA.

Key points on compliance against entitlements in 2024-25

Entitlement issued

There was an allowable net increase in the total entitlement volume from the previous year. See note below.

Licensed entitlement volume

The licensed entitlement volume did not exceed the relevant gazetted PCV for any GMU, where compliance can be assessed (explanations under the Compliance section). However, one compliance issue was noted. See note below.

Total volume of licensed groundwater

The total volume of licensed groundwater used in each GMU was within the volume available for the year.

Individual bulk entitlements

Individual bulk entitlement holders complied with all provisions in their entitlements.

Note to increase in total entitlement volume:

All increases have been made in accordance with the relevant rules and appropriate approvals. See explanations in the groundwater local reports for the Frankston GMA, Kiewa GMA, Moe GMA, Sale WSPA, South West Limestone GMA, Upper Ovens River WSPA and West Wimmera GMA.

Note to entitlement volume exceeding gazetted PCV:

Prior to 2024-25, 2 licences were incorrectly assigned to the Sale WSPA and were identified as needing to be reassigned to the Rosedale GMA. During the 2024-25 year, the Sale PCV volume was reduced to reflect the reduction in licence volume, and this amendment was gazetted. However, the licence reassignment had not yet been completed by 30 June 2025, resulting in a temporary exceedance of the PCV. Finalisation of these transfers would bring the total licensed entitlement volume for the Sale WSPA under the PCV.

Trade

Groundwater can be traded via the trade of take and use licences. Outside of declared water systems, take and use licences allow water to be taken from unregulated surface water systems or groundwater to be used on the land defined in the licence.

For this summary all trade activity has been grouped into 3 broad regions. Northern Victoria refers to areas managed by Goulburn-Murray Water, Lower Murray Water, and Coliban Water. Southern Victoria refers to areas managed by Southern Rural Water and Melbourne Water. Western Victoria refers to areas managed by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.

For further information:

Surface water trade is covered in Statewide surface water.
An introduction to the water trading framework in Victoria can be found in How is water managed?
Additional information on Victorian water trade can be found on the Water Register website.

Groundwater trade

Trades as part of land transfers were the most common type of groundwater take and use licence trade.

In 2024-25 (Figure 8 and Table 4):

the volume of temporary groundwater trade was 18,246 ML, more than in the previous year
the volume of permanent groundwater trade (not as part of a land transfer) was 3,559 ML, less than in the previous year
the largest proportion of groundwater take and use licence trades were as part of land transfers, with 239 trades amounting to 28,389 ML, similar to the previous year.

Table 4: Trade of groundwater take and use licences in groundwater management units

Region	Temporary trade	Permanent trade (not as part of a land transfer)	Trade as part of a land transfer
Northern Victoria	10,548	85	2,605	23	17,826	120
Southern Victoria	6,005	103	804	19	10,219	115
Western Victoria	1,693	13	150	1	344	4
Total 2024-25	18,246	201	3,559	43	28,389	239
Total 2023-24	14,748	128	7,425	68	30,618	251

Region	Temporary trade	Permanent trade (not as part of a land transfer)	Trade as part of a land transfer
Northern Victoria	10,548	85	2,605	23	17,826	120
Southern Victoria	6,005	103	804	19	10,219	115
Western Victoria	1,693	13	150	1	344	4
Total 2024-25	18,246	201	3,559	43	28,389	239
Total 2023-24	14,748	128	7,425	68	30,618	251

Table 4 shows that northern Victoria had the highest volume traded across all trade types, followed by southern Victoria, then western Victoria. This broadly aligns with the total volume of groundwater entitlements on issue in each region.

There was more trade in groundwater take and use licences than trade in surface water take and use licences. For information on surface water trade, visit Statewide surface water.

Surface water

This is water that occurs or flows on land. Explore the reports on statewide surface water availability, use, compliance and trade for 2024-25.

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Water supply

There are 18 water corporations that provide water supply services to Victorian towns and irrigation systems. Explore how we account for water flowing through these systems in 2024-25.

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Local water reports

Explore the local water reports by surface water, groundwater or water supply.

Groundwater

On this page:

About groundwater

2024-25 overview

Restrictions on use

GMU changes

Water use

Groundwater level trends

2024-25 groundwater level trends

Table 1: Groundwater level trends

Response to water availability

Groundwater restrictions

Water use

Total use and use by type

Table 2: Groundwater diverted for different consumptive uses

Entitlements and compliance

Entitlements

Available water and take

Groundwater entitlement and groundwater taken for consumptive use

Table 3: Groundwater entitlements and groundwater taken for consumptive use

Figure 6: Urban groundwater use by groundwater catchment

Figure 7: Irrigation groundwater use by groundwater catchment

Compliance

Key points on compliance against entitlements in 2024-25

Entitlement issued

Licensed entitlement volume

Total volume of licensed groundwater

Individual bulk entitlements

Trade

Groundwater trade

Table 4: Trade of groundwater take and use licences in groundwater management units

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Surface water

Water supply

Local water reports

Victorian Water Accounts

Region	Temporary trade		Permanent trade (not as part of a land transfer)		Trade as part of a land transfer
Region	Volume (ML)	Number of trades	Volume (ML)	Number of trades	Volume (ML)	Number of trades
Northern Victoria	10,548	85	2,605	23	17,826	120
Southern Victoria	6,005	103	804	19	10,219	115
Western Victoria	1,693	13	150	1	344	4
Total 2024-25	18,246	201	3,559	43	28,389	239
Total 2023-24	14,748	128	7,425	68	30,618	251