Goulburn system irrigators can access 20 per cent low-reliability water, following the update in seasonal determinations announced on October 16.
The determinations in the Goulburn and Loddon systems rise from 100 per cent of high-reliability water shares to 100 per cent HRWS and 19 per cent of low-reliability water shares.
The Broken system seasonal determination increased from 100 per cent HRWS and 20 per cent LRWS to 100 per cent HRWS and 100 per cent LRWS.
The Campaspe system moves from 100 per cent HRWS and 65 per cent LRWS to 100 per cent HRWS and 74 per cent LRWS.
Seasonal determinations in the Murray and Bullarook systems remain unchanged.
Northern Victoria resource manager Mark Bailey said recent large inflows into the Goulburn system and early season water use contributed to the announcement.
“Dry conditions through August and September increased demand for water, creating space in the dams,” Dr Bailey said.
“Rainfall in early October has refilled many of the major storages.
“The additional resource, together with the use, meant there was water available to increase seasonal determinations.”
Releases to manage storage levels at Lake Hume and Lake Eildon since the mid-September seasonal determinations mean there will be deductions from spillable water accounts.
“About 110 gigalitres will be deducted from Murray spillable water accounts today (October 16), which is equivalent to about 43 per cent of the volume currently held in the accounts,” Dr Bailey said.
“In the Goulburn system, about 130 gigalitres will be deducted from spillable water accounts, or close to 43 per cent of the volume in these accounts.
“There are no deductions from Campaspe spillable water accounts with today’s update.
“The shortfall to announcing seasonal determinations for low-reliability water shares in the Murray system is about 110 gigalitres.”
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