The Resource Manager for northern Victoria today announced an update to the 2020/21 seasonal determinations.
The Murray system increases from 97 per cent high-reliability water shares (HRWS) to 100 per cent HRWS.
Seasonal determinations in the Goulburn, Campaspe and Loddon systems remain at 100 per cent HRWS.
The Broken and Bullarook systems are unchanged at 100 per cent HRWS and 100 per cent of low‑reliability water shares (LRWS).
Resource Manager Mark Bailey attributed the Murray system increase to recent rain.
“Late January and early February rainfall boosted flows into the Murray storages and reduced losses,” Dr Bailey said. “The resulting resource improvement was enough to reach 100 per cent HRWS.”
“The last time all northern Victorian systems were at 100 per cent HRWS was in 2017/18.”
Dr Bailey reminded entitlement holders that the Murray’s milestone meant future 2020/21 seasonal determination updates will be released on a monthly basis.
“In accordance with our policy, the next update of seasonal determinations will be released on Monday, March 15,” Dr Bailey said
“The likelihood of any of the Murray, Goulburn, Campaspe or Loddon systems receiving an allocation against LRWS this season is low,” Dr Bailey cautioned. “Sustained rainfall is needed to generate the necessary flows into the storages.
“Both the Broken and Bullarook systems have reached the maximum possible seasonal determination this season and will not change.
The Bureau of Meteorology seasonal rainfall outlook slightly favours above-average rainfall across northern Victoria for the three-month period from March to May.
“The Bureau says the current La Niña event remains active, and although weakening, could influence Australian rainfall patterns until early autumn,” Dr Bailey said.
The seasonal determinations for northern Victorian water systems on Monday, February 15.
| Murray |
100% |
0% |
| Broken |
100% |
100% |
| Goulburn |
100% |
0% |
| Campaspe |
100% |
0% |
| Loddon |
100% |
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 Victoria’s share of the both Hume and Dartmouth reservoirs 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. Customers can find out more about trade adjustments on the Water Register website.
The Goulburn system’s inter-valley trade (IVT) account owes about 200 GL to the Murray system. Deliveries from the Goulburn IVT account to the River Murray will continue through February. 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.
Conversely, 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 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 2020/21 seasonal determination announcement will be released on Monday March 15, 2021.