Goulburn-Murray Water Updates Allocations

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

Increased seasonal allocations for the Murray and Goulburn systems were announced by Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) today. The Murray system seasonal allocation is 24% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS) and the Goulburn system seasonal allocation is 21% HRWS. The seasonal allocations for all other northern Victorian water system remained at zero.

"The modest improvements announced for the Murray and Goulburn systems today have come from savings in our system operations and the small gains that have come with the recent rain," said G-MW Managing Director David Stewart. "Unfortunately, the rain has provided very little to no benefit in our smaller water systems and their allocations have stayed at zero."

Supply in the Northern Victorian Systems

The qualification of rights for the Murray and Goulburn systems have expired with the allocations in both systems now greater than 20% HRWS. All water use by customers in these systems, regardless of purpose, must now be in accordance with the allocated volume.

Modest inflows into the storages of the Broken system have allowed G-MW to ease constraints on the delivery of carryover. Strict rostering will be introduced to maintain supplies throughout the season if further resource improvements do not occur.

The supply of essential needs through the 2008/09 season is the priority for the Campaspe and Loddon systems. Carryover will be available wherever possible, but delivery when ordered cannot be guaranteed because of the limited resources. Carryover delivery in the Campaspe Irrigation District should be discussed with Rochester-Campaspe operations area staff. Diverters wanting carryover delivery in the Campaspe and Loddon systems should discuss their needs with their Diversion Inspector.

Mr Stewart asked customers to consider the delivery constraints that may occur in the Broken, Campaspe and Loddon systems this season before deciding to buy carryover allocation. "The systems are stretched, and we may not have the operational flexibility needed to deliver carryover," he said.

Seasonal Allocation Outlook for the 2008/09 Season

"G-MW has not updated the allocation outlook with this announcement," said Mr Stewart. "The limited response to recent rainfall means we are still facing the prospect of the Murray and Goulburn systems having allocations below 30% HRWS by the middle of February next year. The situation remains grim for the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook systems, which are unlikely to get any allocation."