News

NEWS IN BRIEF

Dec 3, 2021

Summer safety: G-MW reminds visitors to take care on the region’s lakes, dams and reservoirs.

Soggy end to spring

Australia has had its wettest November since records began in 1900. It was also the country's wettest spring since 2010, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's spring climate summary.

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The new Australian November average rainfall record stands at 72 mm , more than double the November national average of 32 mm. The previous November rainfall record, set nearly 50 years ago during the La Niña event of 1973, was broken by more than 2 mm

The wettest day of the month was on November 10, when Samuel Hill in Queensland received 340.8 mm

Around the Goulburn Murray region during November, Echuca recorded 59.7 mm (long-term mean 32.7 mm); Shepparton 39.4 mm (45.7 mm); Strathbogie 60.6 mm (63.6 mm); Benalla 65.3 mm (48 mm); Deniliquin 46.2 mm (42.2 mm); and Tocumwal 42.3 mm (34.9 mm).

Play safe at water storages

Goulburn-Murray Water is reminding people visiting the region’s lakes, dams and reservoirs to stay safe on the water and not take any risks with campfires.

G-MW’s Water Smarts campaign highlights the seven most common risks and hazards when boating and swimming at water storages:

Be throttle smart — stick to a safe speed.
Be jacket smart — wear a lifejacket.
Be mate smart — always take a mate.
Be conditions smart — check the weather and water levels.
Be alcohol smart — don’t drink on the water.
Be hazards smart — be aware of submerged rocks, sandbars, trees, shallow water and debris.
Be dive smart — never jump from dam walls or ledges.

In regards to campfires there are various restrictions in place at G-MW’s water storages, including:

Campfires may only be lit in designated areas.
The ground and airspace within 3m of the fire must be clear of flammable material.
Fires must not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished before campers leave – if the ashes are cool to touch, it’s safe to leave.
Fires should be extinguished with water – not soil – so bring a bucket.
A fire must be extinguished at the request of an authorised water officer or police officer.
A fire must not be lit on Total Fire Ban days.