G-MW confirms large shortfalls before allocations can begin
At its Industry Bodies Forum in Tatura, Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) confirmed that a further 440,000 ML of water is required to cover system operating requirements in the Goulburn and Murray systems before G-MW can begin making allocations to customers.
G-MW Managing Director David Stewart, explained that in an effort to bring forward the first allocation, G-MW has used the experience of earlier low delivery seasons - especially last year - to generate revised estimates of system operating requirements. As a result, the shortfall of 224,000 ML on the Murray System is 150,000 ML less that would be required for full system operation. On the Goulburn System the 216,000 ML is 76,000 ML less than required for full system operation.
"The new estimates factor in a range of drought response measures and cannot support full system operation but they do get us closer to a starting allocation," said Mr Stewart.
"There is still a shortfall of 440,000 ML across both systems but average August inflows could bridge this gap - on average Eildon receives around 300,000 ML in August and Hume and Dartmouth receive around 450,000 ML," said Mr Stewart
At the Forum G-MW outlined its process for developing localised operating plans for the 2008/09 season. G-MW staff across the region are preparing 17 separate operating plans in an effort to run local sections of the network as efficiently as possible.
"Last year we didn't run up to 30% of the channel network at various stages of the season, we grouped customers' orders and our customers accepted services standards well below our normal operating targets. We are building operating plans that capture this experience and the Forum provided an opportunity to discuss these plans with wider industry," said Mr Stewart.
"Many of our customers are dependent on the channel system to supply their essential water needs including water for stock and households," said Mr Stewart.
With carryover equal to more than 10 % of allocation on the Murray and Goulburn systems there is also considerable pressure to get the system running to deliver carryover to customers on the channel network.
"Our 2008/09 plans are driven by our local staff to ensure they reflect local knowledge and local customers' needs. Local planning also recognises that different sections of the network operate differently - for example our pumped systems at Nyah and Woorinen are more efficient than our open channel network. This impacts on when and how we can run the systems, "said Mr Stewart.
At the Forum, held last Thursday in Tatura, more than 45 representatives from industry groups and G-MW's customer committees had opportunity to discuss G-MW's proposed strategies.
"Because we are developing 17 separate plans its difficult to provide general guidance to all customers. Instead encourage customers to talk with their local G-MW staff to understand their local operating plan and how their own plans can be accommodated," said Mr Stewart
Some participants questioned whether a shorter season might enable earlier allocations. As a rule of thumb, shortening the irrigation season by 1 month reduces operating requirements by around 30,000 ML across both the Murray and Goulburn systems, but with the strategies G-MW detailed at the Forum, losses are lower and so shortening the season will capture less water.
"We would need to shorten the traditional 9 month season by at least 6 months for us to bridge the gap - and that would only get us to zero it wouldn't actually capture enough resources to make even a 1% allocation. Instead we are looking to a range of techniques to reduce losses and get the system running," said Mr Stewart.
Last season, customer demand for irrigation spiked in the last few weeks of the season, as customers began autumn irrigation programs.
"Our customers are looking to use their water resources to maximum benefit and they need the certainty of knowing they can access their water when they need it - and this varies across and between industries. We are doing what we can to provide this certainty," said Mr Stewart.
"Until there is a substantial improvement in resources we will be working very closely with industry and customers to deliver what we can, where we can within our very tight loss budget".
Presentations from the Forum are available from G-MW's Drought Response section (click here to go to the drought response section). All presentations were prepared based on data from 1 August 2008. G-MW will issue its latest seasonal allocation update on Friday 15 August.
