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Irrigation demand across all systems was relatively low due to the continuing rainfall.  In the northern Victorian systems, the volumes of water held in customers' accounts are the highest at this time of year for over a decade as a result of high allocations and carryover this season.

With most systems at or close to 100% allocations for high-reliability shares, there were few increases for irrigation allocations during December.  Goulburn-Murray Water increased the low-reliability allocation for the Campaspe system to 100%.  Southern Rural Water increased the low-reliability allocation for Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigators to 25%.

Surface Water Irrigation Allocations across Northern Victorian

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW)

Goulburn-Murray Water increased the allocation against low-reliability shares to 100% for the Campaspe system on 15 December.  Allocations against low-reliability shares in the Goulburn and Murray systems remains unlikely, due to a combination of factors, including the large volume of water carried over from 2009/10, very low demand to date and the fact that all storages downstream of Lake Eildon and Dartmouth Reservoir are full and unable to contribute to the conservation of additional reserve.  Inflows to Lake Eildon and Dartmouth Reservoir are contributing to the reserves in the Goulburn and Murray systems for the 2011/12 season, however, these must be completed before any low-reliability water shares can be allocated.

All northern systems 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 January. 

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)

Allocations against HRWS in the MID remained at 90% when SRW reviewed 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 December, the storage level in Blue Rock Lake was 97.4% of capacity and Moondarra Reservoir 99%.

The power stations’ shares of Blue Rock Lake ranged from 97% 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 96%. The irrigators’ share was at 75%.

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 84% of capacity at the end of December. 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 10% increase for the allocation against low-reliability water shares on 15 December.  On 29 December the allocation was increased again by 5%, bringing the allocation to 25% for low-reliability water shares at the end of December.  This season’s allocation is the highest since 2001/02.  A year ago allocations were 10% 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 35% 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 in the Deutgam Water Supply Protection Area has been partially lifted, with licence holders now able to access up to 25% of their licence volume and domestic and stock users are now permitted to access groundwater.

Maribyrnong Basin

Storage levels in Rosslynne Reservoir saw a moderate increase during December, finishing the month at 43.7% of capacity.  However, current levels are good compared to 4.7% 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.