Goulburn-Murray Water has announced that groundwater seasonal allocations in the Campaspe Deep Lead Water Supply Area have increased to 99% of licensed volume for Zones 1021, 1022, 1023 and 1024.
Seasonal allocations for groundwater within Zone 1025, the dryland area between Elmore and the Campaspe Irrigation District, remain at 100%.
Goulburn-Murray Water Chief Executive Russell Cooper said that in announcing the increased groundwater allocation, Goulburn-Murray Water is recognising the value that groundwater has for many irrigators in drought seasons such as this.
""Recent rainfall has delayed the use of groundwater for irrigation, and groundwater levels are now comparable to the same period in 2002 and 2003. These were years of exceptionally high use, particularly within the Campaspe Irrigation District,"" Mr Cooper said.
""Current groundwater levels have enabled the increase in allocations, whilst minimising the risk that groundwater use during the season will draw the water levels down excessively in the late summer period.""
Mr Cooper said that allocations have been revised to 99% because the Management Plan does not permit temporary transfers if allocations are set to 100%. However, the plan was developed at a time when the current critical shortage of surface water was not anticipated.
""The exceptional circumstances facing irrigators within the Campaspe Irrigation District means that greater flexibility is required in years such as this,"" he said.
""Customers have requested greater flexibility in difficult times, including the opportunity to trade between irrigators after the final allocation level has been set, and Goulburn-Murray Water is responding to those requests.
""This flexibility will provide landholders with opportunities over the entire season to use, buy or sell their groundwater entitlement to best meet their current circumstances.""