2019/20 seasonal determination update

Monday 2 September, 2019

The Resource Manager for northern Victoria today updated the 2019/20 seasonal determinations.

The Murray system moves from 26 per cent of high-reliability water shares (HRWS) to 33 per cent HRWS.

The Goulburn and Loddon systems increase from 32 per cent HRWS to 37 per cent HRWS.

The Campaspe system moves from 48 per cent HRWS to 49 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 Andrew Shields said flows into the major storages maintained relatively steady since the last assessment and this contributed to the increase in water available. 

“Flows into the storages are below average for this time of the year. The catchments remain relatively wet but more rainfall during spring is needed to increase the volume of water available," Mr Shields said.

“With the seasonal determinations rising above 30 per cent in the Murray system, early season reserves for 2020/21 are being established. These reserves will be fully established when the Murray system seasonal determination is 44 per cent.

“The latest Bureau of Meteorology seasonal outlook indicates below-average rainfall across all of northern Victoria is more likely during the September to November period."

Mr Shields 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.

Water System High-Reliability Water Share Low-Reliability Water Share
The seasonal determinations for northern Victorian water systems on Monday, September 2.
Murray 33% 0%
Broken 0% 0%
Goulburn 37% 0%
Campaspe 49% 0%
Loddon 37% 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 229 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.

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's website.

Upcoming Resource Manager announcements

  • The next 2019/20 seasonal determination announcement will be released on Monday 16 September  2019 and will include an updated seasonal determination outlook.