The 2025 Strategic purchase of groundwater rights to bridge the gap in the northern Murray-Darling Basin is a Commonwealth procurement process conducted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This initiative aims to purchase permanent groundwater rights to help deliver Murray-Darling Basin Plan 2012 outcomes under the Strategic Water Purchasing Framework (Bridging the Gap).

Geographic Scope:

The tender covers groundwater rights within specific underground water management areas in the Condamine-Balonne catchment:

• Upper Condamine Alluvium (Central Condamine Alluvium) - zones 1, 2, 3, and 4
• Upper Condamine Alluvium (Tributaries) including multiple units such as:
• Cunningham Alluvium (zones 1-5)
• Dalrymple Creek Alluvium (zones 1-3)
• Oakey Creek Alluvium (zones 1-4)
• Various other tributary units

Water Right Types:

• Water Licences for groundwater take in the Upper Condamine Alluvium (Central Condamine Alluvium) unit
• Water Allocations and Water Licences for groundwater take in the Upper Condamine Alluvium (Tributaries) unit

Tender Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

• Only one water right per tender response
• Minimum offer of 1 ML (Nominal Volume) or more
• Water right must be transferable to the Commonwealth
• Sufficient volume must be available or have dealings lodged for registration
• Any encumbrances must be capable of being released