Increased Allocations for Goulburn and Murray Announced
| Announcement Date: |
3 Dec 2007 |
| Next Announcement Due: |
17 Dec 2007 |
Determination Data
Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.
| Murray |
26% |
+3% |
- |
| Broken |
23% |
0% |
- |
| Goulburn |
37% |
+2% |
- |
| Campaspe |
5% |
0% |
- |
| Loddon |
5% |
0% |
- |
| Bullarook Creek |
0% |
0% |
- |
Further Information
Goulburn-Murray Water today announced increased seasonal allocations in the Goulburn and Murray systems. Allocations were unchanged in all other Goulburn-Murray Water systems.
Recent inflows to Lake Eildon and continued efficiency gains in the distribution system allowed the Goulburn system seasonal allocation to increase by 2% to be 37% of high-reliability water shares.
The seasonal allocation in the Murray system has increased by 3% to be 26% of high-reliability water shares. Inflows, operational savings in the River Murray system and efficiency gains in Goulburn-Murray Water irrigation areas supported the increase.
The Broken system seasonal allocation remains unchanged at 23% of high-reliability water shares. The small resource improvements being recorded have been assigned to improved operational flexibility and more frequent availability of rostered irrigation orders. The seasonal allocation will be reviewed and possibly reduced if Lake Mokoan is closed by blue-green algae.
No changes were made to the seasonal allocations in the Campaspe and Loddon systems. Both systems have a seasonal allocation of 5% of high-reliability water shares. All irrigation orders are being strictly rostered to minimise losses and support efficient operations.
There is no seasonal allocation in the Bullarook Creek system. Customers have access to water for qualified rights for the balance of the season.
Using recorded inflows as a guide to the most likely summer inflow in seasons with very dry spring conditions, the allocations are expected to be in the following ranges by 15 February 2007:
- 37% to 47% of high-reliability water shares in the Goulburn system
- 26% to 32% of high-reliability water shares in the Murray system
Inflows to storages are only one of several factors that influence allocation increases, and these estimates do not consider the reduction of system losses through lower than planned evaporation rates and efficiency improvements in river and channel operations. However, allocations will remain at their current levels for the rest of the season if inflows drop away and efficiency gains cannot be achieved in system operations. Goulburn-Murray Water assesses all improvements when allocations are reviewed.