Allocations Announced for all Northern Victorian Systems

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW), Resource Manager for northern Victorian water systems, today announced increased seasonal allocations in the Goulburn and Murray systems and the first allocations for 2010/11 in the Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook systems.

The Goulburn system has an allocation of 26% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS), which is an increase of 21%. The Murray system allocation increased by 21% to be 23% HRWS.

The first seasonal allocation in the Broken system is 21% HRWS. The Campaspe system allocation is 21% HRWS and the Loddon system allocation is 26% HRWS. The Bullarook system received a seasonal allocation of 100% HRWS.

This is the first occasion since 2005/06 that all northern Victorian water systems have had a non-zero seasonal allocation. The allocations in the Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook systems announced today are already at their highest point since 2005/06.

Extensive rainfall over wet catchments has produced the resource improvements needed for allocations in the four smaller systems. Mark Bailey, G-MW's Acting Resource Manager, said "Inflows to storages had already increased since the previous allocation announcement, but have responded particularly strongly to the rainfall received in the past week. In recent days, Laanecoorie Reservoir has filled to capacity and is now spilling water into the Loddon River. Rapid increases in the volumes held in Hepburn's Lagoon and Newlyn Reservoir and a small entitlement base have allowed the allocations in the Bullarook system to increase from zero to 100% HRWS in one announcement."

Other storages, including Lake Nillahcootie, Lake Eppalock, and Cairn Curran and Tullaroop reservoirs, have also enjoyed some of the best inflows for several years. "The benefits of the recent rain will be felt for weeks to come as streams will continue to flow because of the wet catchments," said Dr Bailey. "There is flow in some creeks that have been dry for years. It's an encouraging sign, given we are yet to move into spring."

2010/11 Outlooks

The 2010/11 outlooks presented below have been updated on the basis of the recent resource improvements across northern Victoria. Allocation outlooks will be updated on the 15^th day of each month.

The following terminology is used in the tables:

            ‘Wet'               - Inflow volumes that have 1 chance in 10 of being exceeded

            ‘Average'         - Inflow volumes that have 5 chances in 10 of being exceeded

            ‘Dry'                - Inflow volumes that have 9 chances in 10 of being exceeded

Murray System

Goulburn System (Note: Allocations consider the reserve policy and include the benefit of Pumping from Waranga Basin while allocations are lower than 30%)

Broken System

Campaspe System

Loddon System

Customers planning irrigation requirements are urged to confirm their operating needs and arrangements with their local water corporation. Customers participating in the water trading market are reminded that the Murray-Darling Basin Authority has relaxed the rule controlling allocation trade from upstream of the Barmah Choke to downstream users. The ability to trade across the Barmah Choke will be regularly reviewed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the relaxation may be lifted at any time during the season.