G-MW announces allocation update

G-MW announces allocation update

Allocation increases in the Goulburn, Murray and Broken systems and a short irrigation season for Loddon system customers were announced by Goulburn-Murray Water today. There was no change for the Campaspe and Bullarook Creek systems.

The Goulburn system allocation is now 20%, an increase of 3%. Goulburn-Murray Water has also extended the season length in the Goulburn gravity irrigation systems to 15 April 2008. The announcement of a 20% allocation means that the trigger for expiry of the qualification of rights in the Goulburn system has been reached. All water use by customers, regardless of purpose, must now be in accordance with the allocated volume.

Murray system customers have an allocation of 10% of high-reliability water shares, an increase of 5%. Small inflows to the Murray system, supported by tributary flows from the Ovens and Goulburn Rivers, provided the resource for this increase.  The Murray gravity irrigation season close remains at 15 March 2008.

The allocation for Broken system customers is now 15%, a 5% increase, available for delivery until 31 October 2007. Lower than planned storage releases provided water for the increased allocation, but were not enough to extend the short delivery period for irrigation beyond 31 October 2007.

Loddon system customers have received an allocation of 5% of high-reliability water shares, which will be available until 31 October 2007. The allocation and supply period will be reviewed regularly, but there is currently no ability to supply anything other than water for qualified purposes after 31 October 2007.

Continued low inflows to the Campaspe and Bullarook Creek systems have prevented any allocation for irrigation. There is insufficient water available to provide even a short season allocation and meet all qualified right commitments for the whole season.

Declining inflows during August and early September have caused seasonal outlooks to further weaken.  Goulburn and Murray system inflows are currently tracking close to the dry scenarios shown below.  Allocations in the Goulburn and Murray systems are expected to rise as inflows continue in coming months. In the smaller systems, the chances of improvement are less because of very low flows and the shortfall to meet commitments.

The latest seasonal outlooks are given below. The following terminology is used in the tables:

            ‘Wet'               - Inflow volumes that have 1 chance in 10 of being exceeded

            ‘Average'         - Inflow volumes that have 5 chances in 10 of being exceeded

            ‘Dry'                - Inflow volumes that have 9 chances in 10 of being exceeded

Goulburn System (% of High-Reliability Water Share at date shown)

Murray System (% of High-Reliability Water Share at date shown)

Broken System (% of High-Reliability Water Share at date shown)

Loddon System (% of High-Reliability Water Share at date shown)

Customers in the Murray, Broken, Campaspe, Loddon and Bullarook Creek systems have qualified rights to water. The uses for qualified rights have been described in customer newsletters and will be confirmed in the next newsletter to customer this week.

The seasonal allocations for Goulburn-Murray Water customers on Monday 17 September 2007 are:

The next allocation announcement will be made on Monday 1 October 2007.

 - ENDS -

Media Contact:       Alex Marshall

Position:                   Executive Manager Planning and Environment

Telephone:               03 5833 5670

Release date: 17 September 2007