Updated Seasonal Allocations Announced

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

Goulburn-Murray Water today announced increased seasonal allocations for the Goulburn, Murray and Broken systems. The allocations in all other Goulburn-Murray Water systems remained unchanged.

The Goulburn system allocation is 39% of high-reliability water shares, with the increase of 2% made possible by recent inflows and small efficiency gains.

The Murray system allocation is 28% of high-reliability water shares, an increase of 2%. The increased allocation was provided by operational savings and inflows across the River Murray system.

The Broken system seasonal allocation increased by 6% to be 29% of high-reliability water shares through operational savings and inflows after rainfall in early December. The inflows to Lake Nillahcootie were the highest since July this year. The cooperation between Goulburn-Murray Water and customers has also removed the need for rostering of irrigation orders. Customers must still lodge an order through WaterLINE prior to taking water, and are reminded that the seasonal allocation will be reviewed and possibly reduced if there is an outbreak of blue-green algae in Lake Mokoan.

The seasonal allocation in the Campaspe and Loddon systems remained at 5% of high-reliability water shares. Irrigation orders are being rostered to support the allocation and provide 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.

Customers are reminded that the Minister for Water has approved the permanent introduction of carryover as a resource management measure. Under the severe drought conditions currently affecting northern Victoria, the Minister has also agreed that no allocations will be announced beyond 1 April 2008. All late season improvements will be retained as a contingency measure for water supplies in 2008/09.

Goulburn-Murray Water has forecast ranges for the final 2007/08 seasonal allocations. Using inflows as a guide to the most likely summer inflows, the range of allocations are:

• 39% to 51% of high-reliability water shares in the Goulburn system

• 28% to 32% of high-reliability water shares in the Murray system

The allocations will not fall below current levels for the rest of the season, but may improve under the influences of factors other than inflow, such as lower than planned evaporation rates and efficiency improvements in river and channel operations.