Zero Allocation for 2008/09 as Northern Victoria Enters Peak Inflow Period

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

Goulburn-Murray Water today announced a 0% opening allocation for the 2008/09 season across all water systems in northern Victoria.

According to G-MW Managing Director David Stewart record low inflows mean the region is entering the 2008/09 season with extremely low water reserves and future allocations will depend on inflows over coming months.

"Our region faces a serious water shortage. There is enough water to supply essential human needs in our systems, but we need good winter and spring inflows to cover system operating requirements. If these operating requirements are met, we can make allocations to customers and we can begin running the channel systems to deliver supplies including carryover," said Mr Stewart.

G-MW is closely monitoring inflows and providing regular updates through the media, customer newsletters and via its website. G-MW is also liaising with customers and industry groups in developing strategies for the coming season.

"July, August and September are usually the peak inflow months so there is potential for this situation to improve if we see substantial inflows, but the region is extremely dry so the catchments need to get wet before we will see sustained inflows," said Mr Stewart

Qualification of Rights

Supplying water for essential human needs is the highest priority for water resource management this season. The Minister for Water has qualified rights to water to allow supplies for essential needs under the extreme conditions currently affecting northern Victorian water systems. Further details of the qualifications are available from G-MW's website (http://www.g-mwater.com.au/), and G-MW will run advertisements in local media detailing the qualifications in place.

Access to Carryover

"Customers can take delivery of 2007/08 allocation carryover once the delivery system is running in their area. This will happen when their Water Corporation has covered its system operating requirements. At this stage there is not enough water to guarantee that the channel networks and some river systems will be available for operation for the whole season," said Mr Stewart.

Where carryover of allocated water is available, entitlement holders who did not use their full allocation last season will have their carryover automatically calculated and credited to their allocation bank accounts in accordance with the carryover rules.

Irrigation Season

"We have a way to go before system operating requirements are covered, so G-MW cannot give assurances that the gravity channel network will operate for the whole season. The opening date for each of the channel systems will depend entirely on available resources and the demand from customers," said Mr Stewart.

G-MW is developing operating plans to supply essential human needs and provide access to the channel network for as long as possible.

Allocation outlooks for the Murray and Goulburn water systems are presented below. Current inflow conditions and monthly inflow records from seasons with dry autumn and early winter conditions have been used to prepare the outlooks. 

The following terminology is used in the tables:

            ‘Wet'               - Inflow volumes that have 1 chance in 10 of being exceeded

            ‘Average'         - Inflow volumes that have 5 chances in 10 of being exceeded

Murray System (% of High-Reliability Water Share at Date Shown)

Goulburn System (% of High-Reliability Water Share at Date Shown)

Under dry conditions - inflow volumes that have 9 chances in 10 of being exceeded - the Murray system has no allocation for the season and the Goulburn system reaches 14% by 15 February 2009.

A repeat of 2007/08 inflow conditions is expected to produce a Murray seasonal allocation of 30% of high‑reliability water shares and a 40% allocation in the Goulburn system.

All of the northern Victorian water systems remain very dry. Substantial inflows are needed to improve the allocation outlooks for these systems, although winter and spring traditionally produce the greatest inflow volumes. No irrigation allocations are expected in the smaller water systems if dry conditions prevail throughout the season.

The seasonal outlook will be updated on 1 August 2008. G-MW will release newsletters to its customers on 8 July 2008, with copies also available on the G-MW website. The newsletters will provide more information on water supply issues and include further details on the allocation outlooks for this season.