The Resource Manager for northern Victoria today updated the 2019/20 seasonal determinations.
The Murray system moves from 48 per cent of high-reliability water shares (HRWS) to 52 per cent HRWS.
The Goulburn and Loddon systems increase from 61 per cent HRWS to 63 per cent HRWS.
The Campaspe system moves from 60 per cent HRWS to 61 per cent HRWS.
Seasonal determinations in the Broken system remain on 0 per cent HRWS.
The Bullarook system remains on 100% HRWS and 100% low-reliability water shares (LRWS).
Resource Manager Mark Bailey said continuing flows to the major storages were the main contributor to water availability improvements.
“Flows into most storages were better than estimated,” Dr Bailey said.
“Increased commitments from the Snowy system into the Murray system also added to the seasonal determination announced today.”
Resources in the Broken system remain insufficient for a seasonal determination.
“The shortfall to announcing a positive seasonal determination has reduced to 2,400 megalitres and carryover commitments can be supplied throughout the water year," Dr Bailey said.
“The latest Bureau of Meteorology seasonal outlooks show below-average rainfall across northern Victoria is likely to continue over the summer months."
Dr Bailey advised water users to consider available weather and climate information in conjunction with the seasonal determination outlooks when planning their water needs in 2019/20.
The seasonal determinations for northern Victorian water systems on Monday, December 2.
Murray |
52% |
0% |
Broken |
0% |
0% |
Goulburn |
63% |
0% |
Campaspe |
61% |
0% |
Loddon |
63% |
0% |
Bullarook |
100% |
100% |
Trading opportunities
Allocation trade from New South Wales to Victoria is limited to the lesser of a net annual volume of 200 GL or a volume that keeps the risk of spill in the Murray system below 50 per cent. The current risk of spill in the Murray system allows 200 GL of net trade from New South Wales to Victoria.
The Goulburn system’s inter-valley trade (IVT) account owes about 255 GL to the Murray system. The Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems can trade to the Victorian Murray system, New South Wales and South Australia while the total volume owed to the Murray system is less than 200 GL. Deliveries of Goulburn system IVT to support Murray system operations will continue through December. Information on IVT deliveries is available on the Goulburn-Murray Water website.
The Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems can trade from the Victorian Murray system, New South Wales and South Australia while the total volume owed to the Murray system is greater than zero.
Customers participating in the water trading market can monitor trade availability on the Water Register website.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is restricting trade of water allocations from above the Barmah Choke to downstream of the Choke to protect the delivery of downstream water entitlements. Customers can monitor trading opportunities across the Barmah Choke on the MDBA website.
Upcoming Resource Manager announcements
- The next 2019/20 seasonal determination announcement and updated outlook will be released on Monday 16 December 2019.