Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is reminding customers to plan now for the end of the gravity irrigation season, which will take place on May 15.
GMW General Manager Water Delivery Warren Blyth said it was important customers know and understand the options available to them before the annual three-month winter shutdown across the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District.
"I urge all customers to take responsibility for management of any unused water and carefully consider the best option for your farm business," Mr Blyth said.
"This includes using your unused water before May 15, carrying over water into the next irrigation season, selling, trading or relinquishing water.
"By choosing to carry-over, customers will have access to water early next season when the system reopens on August 15."
If water entitlement holders do nothing, they risk losing their unused water allocation and it being returned to the consumptive pool for reallocation in the next irrigation season.
In a first for GMW, all customers are invited to join an interactive webinar, to further explain options on unused water and discuss the outlook for the next irrigation season.
"The webinar is a chance for irrigators to ask questions direct to our team on managing unused water; with themes covering all the options, dates and requirements," he said.
Mr Blyth said GMW cannot guarantee access to irrigation or domestic and stock water from the channel system from May 15 to the opening of the irrigation season on August 15.
"We are mindful some gravity irrigation customers may wish to water beyond May 15 and formal out-of-season arrangements with a small number of irrigation customers, may be made for water delivery in the irrigation off-season," he said.
"But the vast majority of our customers, will not irrigate during winter and now need to consider their options for any unused water allocation."
Key dates and requirements are also available on our End of Season page. GMW’s annual end-of-season newsletter is available for download now.
The webinar will be held using the BlueJeans videoconference software at 2pm on Friday, May 15 – you can register here or phone 1800 013 357.
If you have any questions regarding your water management options, GMW planners and customer service staff can help; phone 1800 013 357 or visit www.gmwater.com.au