Allocation Update Announced - 17 October 2005

Goulburn-Murray Water today announced the 17 October water allocation update for the 2005/06 irrigation season.

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

The good September inflows to the upper Murray storages have allowed the announcement of a 14% Sales allocation for Murray irrigation areas - the allocation for the Murray gravity system and Mitta Mitta River private diverters is now 100% of Water Right plus 14% as Sales.  The allocation for Goulburn-Murray Water 's private diverters on the Murray and Kiewa Rivers remains 100% of Licence Volume with no Sales.

Drier conditions in the Loddon and Campaspe catchments have again resulted in only small allocation increases for those systems, with the prospects for good allocations reducing.

Environmental managers are taking advantage of recent high flows in the Murray and are releasing the environmental entitlement water accumulated in Hume Reservoir over recent years to water the wetlands and forests of the Barmah-Millewa Forest .

In the Goulburn system, the allocation has increased to 90% of Water Right and Licensed Volume.

In the Campaspe system, the allocation has increased to 10% 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 65% of Licensed Volume.

In the Bullarook Creek system, the allocation has increased to the maximum of 190% of Licensed Volume.

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

Goulburn                     greater than 9 chances in 10

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 34% or greater by 15 February 2006 .

The high Murray system September and early October inflows have allowed the 14% Murray gravity system Sales allocation at 17 October, and also boosted the chances of reaching a 100% Sales allocation by February to 2 chances in 10. However if conditions dry up there may be no further increase in sales allocation.  The final outcome will depend on operational factors as well as inflows.  There is an even chance (5 chances in 10) that the February allocation will be at least 100% Water Right plus 24% Sales.

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

The next allocation announcement is scheduled for Tuesday 1 November 2005 .

The seasonal allocations for Goulburn-Murray Water irrigators at 17 October 2005 are: