All Seasonal Determinations for 2013/14 now at least 100% of HRWS

Determination Data

Seasonal determinations for northern Victoria regulated river systems.

Further Information

The Resource Manager for northern Victorian regulated water systems today announced an update to the seasonal determinations for the 2013/14 season and current trading opportunities.

Seasonal Determinations

The Broken system seasonal determination is 100% of high-reliability water shares (HRWS), an increase of 44%. The Campaspe system seasonal determination is 100% HRWS and 38% low-reliability water shares (LRWS), an increase of 25% LRWS.

The Murray, Goulburn and Loddon system seasonal determinations are unchanged at 100% HRWS. The Bullarook system seasonal determination will remain at 100% HRWS and 100% LRWS for the duration of the 2013/14 season.

“Inflows have contributed to the increase in seasonal determinations announced today,” said Dr Mark Bailey, Resource Manager. “The relatively large change in the Broken system is also influenced by the effects of its carryover rules and the volumes its customers have carried over into this season.”

There are currently shortfalls to making LRWS seasonal determinations in the Goulburn, Loddon and Murray systems. Under average inflow conditions, LRWS may be available by mid December in the Goulburn and Loddon systems. The availability of LRWS seasonal determinations in the Murray system is more uncertain. However, at this stage average inflow conditions could enable LRWS to become available in mid February.

“Pre-releases to control airspace in Lake Hume ceased in early October as downstream irrigation and environmental demand commenced,” said Dr Bailey. “The total volume spilled from the Victorian share of Lake Hume during September 2013 was 225 gigalitres. Murray spillable water accounts and Living Murray extended use accounts had 100 GL deducted on 1 October, and the remaining 125 GL of the September spill volume will be deducted on 15 October.”

Trading Opportunities

The volume of trade into Victoria from New South Wales is limited to the volume of trade from Victoria to New South Wales because of the probability of spill from Lake Hume. The availability of trade into Victoria from New South Wales will be reassessed on 11 November 2013 and the 10th day (or following business day) of each month thereafter.

The volume of water owed to the Murray system from the Goulburn system in the inter-valley trade account is 200 GL. Trade will not be allowed from the Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems to the Victorian Murray, or to New South Wales and South Australia until the volume of water owed to the Murray is less than 200 GL. Customers participating in the water trading market can monitor trade availability on the Water Register website http://waterregister.vic.gov.au/Public/Reports/InterValley.aspx.

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 Murray-Darling Basin Authority will regularly review the ability to trade across the Barmah Choke and may lift the relaxation at any time during the season.

Upcoming Resource Manager Announcements

• The probability of spill in the Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe systems will be updated on Monday 11 November 2013
• As seasonal determinations to HWRS in all systems have reached 100%, seasonal determination updates will now be issued monthly. The next seasonal determination announcement will be issued on Friday 15 November 2013 and on the 15th (or next business day) of each month thereafter.

For information about the Resource Manager for northern Victorian regulated water systems, including seasonal determinations and resource availability, please visit www.nvrm.net.au.

The volumes in Murray, Goulburn and Campaspe spillable water accounts are available from the Victorian Water Register (waterregister.vic.gov.au) using the “Unused Water” option. The status of Victorian shares of Murray storages is available at www.mdba.gov.au/what-we-do/managing-rivers/river-murray-system/water-sharing. Total volumes in Lake Hume, Lake Eildon and Lake Eppalock are reported at www.g-mwater.com.au/water-resources/storage-levels.