Seasonal Allocations Updated

Announcement Date: 3 Aug 2009
Next Announcement Due: 17 Aug 2009

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

  High Reliability Water Share Change to High Reliability Water Share Comments
Murray 0% % -
Broken 0% % -
Goulburn 0% % -
Campaspe 0% % -
Loddon 0% % -
Bullarook Creek 0% % -

Further Information

The seasonal allocations for all regulated water systems in northern Victoria will remain at zero, the Resource Manager, Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW), announced today.

Graeme Hannan, Resource Manager with G-MW, said the shortfalls to meeting operating requirements in the systems remained significant. "All of the northern Victorian systems have enough water to meet essential needs for the year, but strong inflows are needed in the coming months to ensure the systems can operate continuously to deliver the water to customers. Inflows to storages remained well below average in July, which means that conditions are consistent with the dry inflow scenario previously advised by G-MW. Under this scenario the first allocations in the Goulburn and Murray systems are expected in mid September."

There is enough water in the Murray system to meet all river operating requirements, essential human needs and private carryover under a worst case inflow scenario with some extraordinary contingency measures to supplement these volumes. Now that these needs have been met and a small volume has been allocated to each of the states, the next inflows will be assigned to retiring the reliance on the contingency measures. After this, allocations to the states will resume in accordance with the interstate water sharing arrangements.

"The operation of the River Murray and the Goulburn River throughout the season is assured, although water levels and flows are likely to be lower than in previous years. The continuous operation of the other river systems, the piped distribution systems and the channel networks for the whole season cannot be assured with the limited water available," said Mr Hannan. "Operating plans being prepared by the water corporations ahead of the traditional 15 August 2009 opening to the irrigation season will give customers more information about access to water for use under qualified rights and carryover."

Mr Hannan advised that the channel networks are unlikely to be operational by 15 August. "Channels will open when sufficient resources are available and there is strong demand for water. Customers with early season irrigation needs should confirm operating arrangements with their water corporation," he said.