Seasonal Allocations Stay at Zero at Start of Irrigation Season
| Announcement Date: |
17 Aug 2009 |
| Next Announcement Due: |
1 Sep 2009 |
Determination Data
Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.
| Murray |
0% |
% |
- |
| Broken |
0% |
% |
- |
| Goulburn |
0% |
% |
- |
| Campaspe |
0% |
% |
- |
| Loddon |
0% |
% |
- |
| Bullarook Creek |
0% |
% |
- |
Further Information
Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW), the Resource Manager for all northern Victorian water systems, today announced that the 2009/10 seasonal allocations remain at zero percent for all systems.
Speaking on today's announcement, G-MW's Resource Manager Graeme Hannan said, "The irrigation season usually begins with the mid-August allocation announcement, but more inflows are needed in all systems before any allocation is possible. In the Goulburn and Murray systems the water availability is very similar to the same time last year when the mid-August allocations were zero. As was the case 12 months ago, inflows in August and September will be set aside to close the gap to meeting the operating requirements and allow the first allocations to be made. In the other four systems, the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook inflows remain very poor and the shortfall to making an allocation is greater than in 2008."
"Some water is now being taken into the Murray and Goulburn channel distribution systems to meet demand for urban and domestic and stock water supplies. Preparations are being made for a short operational window in early September for Murray and Goulburn channel customers to take delivery of carried over allocation," said Mr Hannan. "Customers are urged to contact their local G-MW office via WaterLINE Online (http://www.g-mwater.com.au/) or telephone on 1300 GMW (1300 469 469) to confirm their requirements for water, so Operations staff can finalise delivery plans."
Mr Hannan advised that the timing of the first allocations for this season was entirely dependent on the future inflows. "There are some grounds for optimism, because inflow improvements have allowed retirement of contingency measures in the Murray system and the water sharing rules will now assign inflows to the States to restore the water accounts. The Goulburn system has also continued to slowly build up resource as inflows continue to match last year's flows at Lake Eildon."