15 November Allocation Increases Announced

Goulburn-Murray Water today announced the 15 November water allocation update for the 2005/06 irrigation season.

Water allocations have increased in the Murray , Campaspe and Loddon systems. 

There have been modest increases in allocation for the Loddon and Campaspe systems, and the sales allocation for Murray gravity district customers has increased.

In the Campaspe system, the allocation has increased to 30% of Water Right and Licensed Volume.  Water use for purposes such as stock watering, washdown, cleaning, and household use is allowed under a ""qualification of rights"" where the allocation is insufficient to provide for these needs.

In the Loddon system, the allocation has increased to 88% of Licensed Volume.

The allocation for Murray system irrigation areas and Mitta Mitta River private diverters has increased to 100% of Water Right plus 29% as Sales as a result of October inflows to Hume and Dartmouth reservoirs.  Storage levels in the Menindee Lakes remain low, and the good inflows from the Ovens will be of limited use to Victorian irrigators.  The allocation for Goulburn-Murray Water 's private diverters on the Murray and Kiewa Rivers remains 100% of Licence Volume with no Sales.

Seasonally adjusted chances of receiving a 100% allocation by 15 February 2006 are as follows:

•           Campaspe                  less than 1 chance in 10

•           Loddon                        3 chances in 10

For the Campaspe system there is now an even chance (5 chances in 10), of receiving an allocation of 42% or greater by 15 February 2006 .

With the passing of the normal high inflow months it would take unusually wet weather to enable a good allocation on the Campaspe System this season.   

The chances of receiving any Sales allocation for Water Rights by 15 February 2006 are as follows:

•           Goulburn                     less than 1 chance in 10

•           Campaspe                  less than 1 chance in 10

•           Loddon                        less than 1 chance in 10

For Murray gravity district customers there is an even chance (5 chances in 10), of receiving an allocation of 100% of Water Right plus 71% as Sales or greater by February 2006.  For Murray private diverters there is an even chance of receiving an allocation of 100% of Water Right plus 41% as Sales or greater by February 2006.  The final Murray system allocations will depend on operational matters and the timing of inflows from the Ovens and Goulburn Rivers , as well as inflows to Hume and Dartmouth .  There are now 4 chances in 10 of receiving the maximum Sales allocation by February 2006.

The next allocation announcement is scheduled for Thursday 1 December 2005 .

The seasonal allocations for Goulburn-Murray Water irrigators at 15 November 2005 are: