Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) has announced an initial seasonal annual groundwater allocation for 2009/10 for the Campaspe Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA), in accordance with the groundwater management plan for this area.
The 2009/10 allocation has been set at 50% of groundwater licence entitlement across all management zones within the Campaspe WSPA.
According to G-MW's Executive Manager Water Resources Graeme Hannan, groundwater is an increasingly important resource for irrigators across G-MW's region and the Campaspe Deep Lead has proven to be vital over the last five seasons with continued low surface water allocations.
"Today's announcement provides certainty for groundwater users within the lower Campaspe valley to make plans for the coming season," said Mr Hannan
The seasonal allocation determines how much water can be pumped each year from deep lead aquifers by around 100 licensed pumpers across the Campaspe Deep Lead WSPA; a region which includes an area extending from south of Elmore to Echuca.
While acknowledging that groundwater users might like to see a higher allocation announcement, Mr Hannan said "The dry conditions experienced over several years have resulted in reduced recharge to the aquifer system; however this has also resulted in strong demand for groundwater. Consequently groundwater levels have dropped during this period and at this stage; 50% is the maximum allocation which can be announced according to rules set by the groundwater management plan."
Under the groundwater management plan, one allocation review is allowed during the season, typically in late spring. Mr Hannan said "A further allocation increase may be possible; however we would need to see significant spring rainfall, and correspondingly less demand for groundwater pumping, which then may allow further groundwater level recovery to occur."
The 2009/10 seasonal allocations, summarised by trading zone, are:
|
Trading Zone
|
Seasonal allocation
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1021- 1023 (Northern Zones)
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50%
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|
1024 ( Campaspe Irrigation District)
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50%
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|
1025 (Elmore area)
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50%
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