This week the Goulburn-Murray Water Board confirmed that further improvements in water resources would be directed into allocation improvements rather than season extension.
This decision considered feedback from industry bodies, the time required to pump Waranga Basin and the availability of the water market to meet demand.
Chief Executive Russell Cooper said, "Water is so scarce; industry representatives that were requesting a season extension at the November industry forum are now calling for measures to improve allocations".
Feedback from dairy, stone fruit and tomato customers suggests that the majority value an increase in allocation compared to extending the season especially now that it has been extended by two weeks.
Horticultural industries are faced with a strong need to access water in order to harvest a crop this season. With very little water being traded at the moment, a 1% increase in the allocation has put approximately 10,000 megalitres into the system.
Plans to pump Waranga Basin are ahead of schedule, with commissioning due on 9 February 2007 - three weeks ahead of the original target. There is no need to extend the season beyond 15 April 2007 to access the additional 86 gigalitres in Waranga Basin.
The 15 December allocation announcement directed operational water savings into allocation rather than extend the season. This resulted in a 1% increase on the Goulburn system, taking allocations to 24%.
The next allocation announcement will be on 2 January 2007.