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Media Release - Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Deniliquin: 15 August 2005 GENERAL SECURITY REMAINS AT 0% FOR NSW MURRAY VALLEY IRRIGATORS Regional Director of the NSW Department of Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources, David Harriss, announced today that following the review of water availability to the end of July, general security allocation for NSW Murray Valley irrigators will remain at 0 percent of entitlement.
Inflows into River Murray storages during July and early August have been set aside to cover losses that will occur during the season. However, with projected minimum inflows for the remainder of the season, there is insufficient water available to announce a positive allocation.
While the announced allocation remains 0%, many irrigators have carried over unused water from last season, the equivalent of 25% of entitlement across the Valley. Mr Harriss said that this demonstrates that NSW irrigators are now conserving water to enable them to have access in subsequent years if conditions remain dry.
There is currently sufficient water available to meet 100% of entitlement for town water supply and domestic and stock licences, 97% of entitlement for other high security users.
Assessment of the potential for general security allocation to increase has been carried out for a range of climate conditions and assumes that inflows occurring after allocation has reached 30% will be used to payback water previously reallocated to irrigators from the Barmah Millewa Forest environmental account.
- There are 9 chances in 10 of the allocation reaching 9% by the end of Oct, 19% by the end of February and 30% by the end of May. - There are 3 chances in 4 of the allocation reaching 17% by the end of Oct, 31% by the end of February and 41% by the end of May. - There is 1 chance in 2 of the allocation reaching 30% by the end of Oct, 61% by the end of February and 100% by the end of May.
In the Lower Darling Valley, inflows to the Menindee lakes from rainfall in the upstream catchments during June and July will ensure Broken Hill's water supply for at least 18 months, provide sufficient water to meet 100% of town water, domestic and stock and high security entitlements and 100% of general security entitlements.
For further information visit our website at: http://www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/water/rural_water_mngmt/murray.html
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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