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

Overview The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is inviting Tenderers who hold eligible surface water rights in the New South Wales Border Rivers catchment to submit a Tender Response for the sale of water rights, either whole or in part, to the Australian Government. Purpose Water purchased through this Approach to Market (ATM) will contribute to bridging the gap to the Sustainable Diversion Limits under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan 2012. Scope The scope includes: Purchase by the Australian Government of an estimated 3.68 GL/y long term diversion limit equivalence (LTDLE) of surface water rights from the NSW Border Rivers catchment Sale of eligible surface water rights, in whole or in part, by Tenderers holding such rights in the NSW Border Rivers catchment Eligibility Tenderers must hold eligible surface water rights in the NSW Border Rivers catchment Conditions for participation are set out in the ATM document Instructions to Tenderers This is a long duration open tender with a rolling evaluation process. Tender Responses can be submitted at any time during the Tender Window, from 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 the Department stops considering Tender Responses earlier, for example if the required volumetric targets under this ATM are achieved. Tender Responses will be assessed as they are received throughout the Tender Window, and such assessment may continue after the Tender Window Closing Time. Any decision to stop considering Tender Responses earlier will be communicated via notice on AusTender and the Department's website, with the Tender360 online submission portal closed for submission. Indicative timelines for the Tender process are outlined in clause 2.5 of the ATM document. The Department is using Tender360, a secure online tender system, to receive Tender Responses to this ATM. All Tender Responses must be completed and submitted through Tender360. Tender responses cannot be submitted directly via AusTender. To participate, first register your participation through AusTender (www.tenders.gov.au) to gain access to the ATM documentation. Next, download and open the ATM document. Instructions for accessing Tender360 are contained in Schedule 6 to the ATM document. The Frequently Asked Questions (Schedule 2 to the ATM document) contain further details on creating a personal account for Tender360 and starting a Tender Response form to submit an application. Tender360 technical system support is available on 02 5100 4009 (international +61 2 5100 4009) or by email at support@simplylogical.net. Enquiries Water Tenders Office (ATM_2026_6859): watertenders@dcceew.gov.au http://www.dcceew.gov.au/watertender