2026 Strategic purchase of water rights to bridge the gap in the NSW Border Rivers

This is an open tender invitation to Tenderers who hold eligible surface water rights in the New South Wales (NSW) Border Rivers catchment to submit a Tender Response for the sale of water rights (either whole or in part) to the Australian Government. The Australian Government (represented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department)) is seeking to purchase an estimated 3.68 GL/y long term diversion limit equivalence (LTDLE) of surface water from the NSW Border Rivers. Water that is purchased through this ATM will contribute to bridging the gap to the Sustainable Diversion Limits under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan 2012 (Basin Plan). The Department intends to consider Tender Responses submitted during the Tender Window, between the time the ATM is released until 11:00 am local time in the Australian Capital Territory on Thursday 11 March 2027 (Closing Time) unless otherwise advised by the Department. The Department may choose to stop considering Tender Responses earlier, for example if the required volumetric targets under this ATM are achieved. This will be communicated via notice on AusTender and the Department’s website (www.dcceew.gov.au/watertender), with the Tender360 online submission portal closed for submission. Important: This is a long duration open tender with a rolling evaluation process. Tender Responses can be submitted at any time during the Tender Window (unless the Department stops considering Tender Responses as outlined above), and Tender Responses will be assessed as they are received throughout the Tender Window (noting that such assessment may continue after the Tender Window Closing Time).