First Allocation in Loddon, and Increases in Murray, Goulburn, Broken and Bullarook Systems

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

Goulburn-Murray Water (G‑MW), the resource manager for northern Victorian water systems, today announced increased allocations in the Murray, Goulburn, Broken and Bullarook systems and the first allocation in the Loddon system for the 2009/10 season. The Campaspe system seasonal allocation remained at zero.

The season allocation in the Murray system is 78% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS), which is an increase of 12% HRWS. The Goulburn system allocation is 69% HRWS, which is an increase of 9% HRWS. The Broken system received an increase of 7% HRWS to be 13% HRWS, and the Bullarook system allocation is up 4% HRWS to be 19% HRWS. The Loddon system seasonal allocation is now 3% HRWS.

"The storms and associated rainfall across central Victoria between 5 March and 8 March have influenced the allocations announced today," said Graeme Hannan, G-MW's Resource Manager. "The rain suppressed irrigation demand across much of the G-MW area, and together with relatively small improvements in storage volume provided very useful resource improvements. Almost all of the northern Victorian systems received some benefit, and the Loddon was able to receive an allocation for the first time since the 2007/08 season."

"The increase in the Murray seasonal allocation has come partially from higher flows in the Ovens and Goulburn rivers after the recent storms, and also from an improvement in Victoria's water availability in Lake Victoria arising from flows from the Darling River caused by the heavy rains in the northern Murray-Darling Basin early in the New Year," said Mr Hannan. "The current flooding in southern Queensland is likely to significantly increase the volume of water stored in the Menindee Lakes and hence further benefit Victorian Murray resources at the next allocation assessment."

"The Campaspe was the only system to receive very little benefit from the Labour Day weekend rainfall," said Mr Hannan. "The totals certainly looked promising, but there was very little reaction in the catchment. Unfortunately, this means the Campaspe system remains at zero allocation."

The final allocation announcement for the 2009/10 season will be issued on Thursday 1 April 2010.