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There were significant increases in allocations during November for Goulburn-Murray Water and Southern Rural Water irrigators.  All northern systems now have 100% allocations for high-reliability shares.  The allocation for Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigators was also increased to 100% for high-reliability shares for the first time since 2004/05.  However, due to the wetter conditions, irrigation demand remains low in most regions.

Surface Water Irrigation Allocations across Northern Victorian

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW)

Goulburn-Murray Water increased allocations for the Goulburn, Loddon, Campaspe and Broken systems on 1 November.  Allocations against high-reliability water shares in the Goulburn and Loddon systems were increased by 5% to 85%.  Allocations against low-reliability water shares were announced for the Broken and Campaspe systems, at 31% and 20% respectively.
On 15 November, allocations for high-reliability water shares in the Goulburn and Loddon systems were increased to 100%.  The low-reliability allocations on the Campaspe and Broken systems were increased to 52% and 100% respectively.
All northern systems now have an allocation of at least 100% for high-reliability shares for the first time since 2001/02.  Because of the 100% allocation for HRWS on all systems, allocation announcements will now be made monthly instead of fortnightly. The next allocation announcement will be made on 15 December.

Wimmera Mallee Supply System

The Wimmera Irrigation Association is continuing to negotiate a sale of the irrigation entitlement to the Commonwealth Government. After consulting the Wimmera Irrigators and Diversions Committee, GWMWater will defer the irrigation channel run this season until the outcome of the proposed sale is known. GWMWater has not delivered irrigation supplies for around 10 years.

Coliban Rural System

Coliban Water announced a 70% allocation for the 2010/11 season for the Coliban Rural System on 15 September. This is the highest allocation on the Coliban Rural System since 2002/03. However, there is little demand for water in the rural system given the wet conditions.

Southern Rural Water

Macalister Irrigation District (MID)

At the end of November, Lake Glenmaggie, the main source of water for the MID, was at 96.5% of capacity.
Allocations against HRWS in the MID will remain at 90% until SRW reviews its decision on 15 December 2010. Future increases depend on rainfall and inflows to Lake Glenmaggie.

The current allocation and inflows provide a good platform for Macalister irrigators during the 2010/11 season.

Latrobe System

At the end of November, the storage level in Blue Rock Lake was 94.6% of capacity and Moondarra Reservoir 100%.
The power stations’ shares of Blue Rock Lake ranged from 90% to 100% of capacity at the end of the month. The unused SECV share was at 100% of capacity and the unallocated share was at 95.3%.

There is enough water in the system to supply power stations, industry and towns in the Latrobe Valley for the next 12 months if conditions were dry.

Werribee Basin

SRW’s share of the Werribee storages was at 67% of capacity at the end of November. For the first time in years there has been regular rainfall in the catchment during the winter-spring period, which has generated some good river flows.

Southern Rural Water announced a 5% increase for high-reliability shares in the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigation districts, increasing allocations to 75% on 2 November.  The allocation was increased to 85% on 16 November, and following significant rainfall in late November, increased again on 30 November to 100%.  A 10% allocation against low-reliability water shares was also announced on 30 November.  This is the highest allocation since 2001/02.  This time last year, allocations were 6% of high-reliability shares.

SRW has implemented a new reserve policy in 2010/11 that will support starting allocations in 2011/12. To date, the equivalent of about 30% allocation against HRWS has been set aside for next year.

As a result of the improved conditions and allocations, the Werribee irrigators’ strong reliance on recycled water has been eased this season.
The ban on groundwater use from the Deutgam Groundwater Management Area continues in November.

Maribyrnong Basin

Following significant rainfall in the region during November, storage levels in Rosslynne Reservoir improved significantly, finishing the month at 40.1% of capacity (compared to 4.0% this time last year).
There is now enough water in the system for SRW diverters downstream of Rosslynne Reservoir to take up to 25% of their licensed volume.