Goulburn-Murray Water Reviews Water Allocations - 15 December 2005

today announced the results of a review of water allocations for the Murray , Campaspe, and Loddon water supply systems.

The allocations for the Murray System increase by 10%, with the allocation for Murray system irrigation areas and Mitta Mitta River private diverters at 100% of Water Right or Licence Volume plus 40% as Sales, and the allocation for Goulburn-Murray Water ’s private diverters on the Murray and Kiewa Rivers at 100% of Licence Volume and 10% as Sales. Gravity district irrigators are reminded that access to sales is limited to 30% of Water Right if any water has been temporarily sold this season, and private diverters are reminded that there is no access to sales if any water has been temporarily sold this season.

The Campaspe system allocation remains at 31%.  The experience from early this season has shown the benefit of a small carryover in Lake Eppalock to ensure the ability to supply Domestic and Stock demands in the winter and early spring. There has been insufficient water resource improvement to assure both an adequate reserve and allow an allocation increase.  In the event of future improvement in resource availability, Goulburn-Murray Water will set aside some water to create a limited carryover for next winter/spring and then increase irrigation allocations.  The Qualification of Rights granting access to water for purposes such as stock watering, washdown, cleaning, and household use, where the allocation is insufficient to provide for these needs, remains in place for the Campaspe system.

The Loddon system allocation has increased by 4% to 96% of License Volume.

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

There is now little prospect of significant increases in Campaspe Allocation this season.

There remains little chance of the Goulburn, Campaspe or Loddon systems receiving any Sales allocation this season.

The outlook for Murray systems sales allocation improvements remains unchanged, with an even chance (5 chances in 10), of receiving the maximum Sales allocation by February 2006.

The next allocation review will be announced on Monday 16 January 2005 .