Goulburn-Murray Water Announces Allocation Updates

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) today announced increases in the seasonal allocations for the Murray and Goulburn systems, but allocations in all other northern Victorian water systems stayed at zero.

The seasonal allocation in the Murray system is 21% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS). The seasonal allocation in the Goulburn system is 18% HRWS, which includes 7% HRWS that will be obtained by pumping from Waranga Basin in 2009.

"There has been some very welcome rainfall in recent days, but it has not translated into large inflows to storages because of the dry state of the catchments," said G-MW Managing Director David Stewart. "The biggest advantage of the rain was reduced demand, which added to the savings achieved in system operations."

Supply in the Northern Victorian Systems

The Murray and Goulburn systems will operate throughout the season, but will be carefully managed to reduce operating needs. The provision of essential domestic and stock needs to customers is the priority for the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook systems.

In the Broken system, the delivery period has been extended to 15 December 2008 following some minor inflows in the catchment. If there is no further improvement, deliveries after 15 December will be strictly rostered to ensure supplies remain available through the season.

Delivery of carryover in the Campaspe Irrigation District should be discussed with Rochester-Campaspe operations area staff. Diverters seeking delivery of carryover in the Campaspe and Loddon systems should discuss their requirements with their Diversion Inspector.

"Water users considering purchase of carryover water in the Broken, Campaspe and Loddon systems need to ensure that they understand the delivery constraints that may occur this season," said Mr Stewart. "These systems are being operated very tightly, and the operational flexibility needed for delivery of carryover may not be available."

Seasonal Allocation Outlook for the 2008/09 Season

"The allocations in the northern Victorian water systems are unlikely to improve significantly this season as dry conditions continue," said Mr Stewart. "All available water has been allocated. Improvements can come from greater inflows, or from operating conditions that are better than the ‘worst case' scenario that has been adopted for planning purposes.

"Improvements during the summer are likely to be low," continued Mr Stewart. "Based on analysis of summer inflows following dry September to November conditions, the improvements to mid February are likely to be in the 0% to 7% range in the Murray system and 0% to 10% in the Goulburn system. Given the dry catchment conditions, it would be prudent for water users to plan conservatively and treat larger improvements that may occur with unseasonal summer storms as a bonus."

The prolonged period of poor inflows this season and characteristically limited responses to summer rainfall implies allocations are unlikely in the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon, and Bullarook systems this season.

Water Use Considerations

Many water users are seeking allocation trade to meet their needs this season. All water users are encouraged to review their plans for water use, and consider trading allocation that is in excess of their essential needs.