Unclaimed groundwater shares available to buy

Farmers and businesses are invited to register their interest in purchasing unassigned groundwater which is being made available by the NSW Government.

This is being done through a controlled allocation order which sets out a fair and transparent process for buying water shares available in 37 water sources in NSW that are not fully committed.

Expressions of interest open on Wednesday 19 November 2025 and close on Friday 19 December 2025 at 5pm.

The Controlled Allocation Order has been carefully managed to prevent environmental impacts. it does this by not including any water sources with less than 1,500 unit-shares of unassigned water, or where the total water commitments are above 50 per cent of the extraction limit. 

This means we are preserving water by only using those sources that have sufficient unclaimed water.

A minimum price has been set for the shares in each water source which will be offered in order of highest to lowest bids at or above the minimum price, until all shares are exhausted or all bids are satisfied.

To learn more and register an interest in purchasing additional shares, please visit: Controlled allocations

NSW DCCEEW Director Water Planning Implementation Allan Raine said:

“Water is vital to industry and commercial enterprises, so when there are unassigned shares, it makes sense to put them on the market.

“Controlled allocations don’t happen every day, which is why we’re encouraging interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity and register their interest.

“Making extra water available will provide another boost to regional industries, agriculture and communities.”