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Surface Water Irrigation Allocations across Northern Victorian

Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW)

On 3 October, HRWS allocations increased from 95% to 100% on the Goulburn and Loddon systems; from 69% to 71% on the Murray system; and, from 39% to 100% for HRWS, along with a 10% allocation for LRWS on the Broken system.  The significant jump in allocation in the Broken system compared to other systems is a result of the 100% rule and the high volume of carryover held over in the system from last year, which has artificially suppressed allocations in the current year until now. 

The LRWS allocation on the Campaspe system was increased to 100%. The Bullarook system allocation has been 100% for both HRWS and LRWS since 15 July, as this is the maximum allocation there will be no further increases this season.
In the second announcement on 17 October, allocation for HRWS was increased to 86% on the Murray system. 

On 10 October, the Northern Victoria Resource Manager re-confirmed that the risk of spill in the Goulburn and Campaspe systems remains high, therefore, at this stage water held in spillable water accounts cannot be made available to customers. The next risk of spill announcement will be made on 10 November.

Northern Victoria Seasonal Irrigation Outlook

As of 17 October, the Goulburn, Loddon, Campaspe, Broken and Bullarook systems have reached 100% allocations for High-Reliability Water Shares (HRWS). The Bullarook and Campaspe systems also have a 100% Low-Reliability Water Share (LRWS) allocation, and there is a 10% allocation against LRWS on the Broken system.

Even under continuing dry conditions the HRWS allocation for the Murray system is expected to reach 100% by mid-December. The LRWS allocation on the Broken system is expected to reach 100% by early December. Allocations against LRWS in the Murray, Goulburn and Loddon systems will depend on prevailing weather conditions.

To view the latest outlook click here.

Wimmera Mallee Supply System

The Wimmera Irrigation Association is continuing to negotiate a sale of the irrigation entitlement to the Commonwealth Government, and irrigation channel runs are deferred until the outcome of the sale is known. GWMWater has not delivered irrigation supplies for around 10 years.

Coliban Rural System

Coliban Water announced an opening Rural System allocation of 100% for 2011/12 on 15 September 2011. This is the first time in 10 years that the Rural System has opened at 100% allocation.

Southern Rural Water

Macalister Irrigation District (MID)

Lake Glenmaggie remains at a high level for this time of year. 

The allocation for the MID remains at 90% for HRWS, this is the highest possible allocation during the spilling season. Spill entitlement was available to river diverters until 15 October.  The current allocation will be reviewed following the end of the spilling period on 15 December.

Latrobe System

The power stations’, GW’s and SRW’s shares of Blue Rock were at 100 per cent at the end of October.  There is enough water in the system to supply power stations, industry and towns in the Latrobe Valley for the next 12 months even if conditions are dry.

Licence holders downstream on the Latrobe and Tanjil Rivers are permitted to take up to their licence volume.

Werribee Basin

SRW’s share of the Werribee storages was at 90% of capacity at the end of October.

Allocations against LRWS were increased to 25% during October. 

Maribyrnong Basin

Storage levels in Rosslynne Reservoir increased during October, finishing the month at 72% of capacity.

SRW’s waterway diverters on Jackson Creek can access 100% of licensed volume, while Melbourne Water’s licence holders in the Keilor region continue to access unregulated flows downstream of Rosslynne Reservoir.