NSW Office of Water - Increases for General security users in the Murray and Murrumbidgee Valley
15th February 2010

NSW Water Commissioner, David Harriss, today announced that the general security water allocation in the Murray Valley would increase by 6 percent to 19 percent of entitlement, while in the Murrumbidgee Valley, the general security allocation would increase by 2 percent to 20 per cent of entitlement.

Mr Harriss said that today’s increase to 19 percent in the Murray Valley was the result of the flows from the floods in northern NSW between Christmas and New Year.

“While the flood peak has only just reached Wilcannia, releases from the Menindee Lakes are now passing into the River Murray,” he said.

“Today’s increase to 20 percent in the Murrumbidgee Valley is the result of small inflows generated by patchy rainfall in the upper reaches of the catchment, coupled with less than forecast transmission losses,”

Mr Harriss also advised that a further 60 gigalitres would be available for trade out of the Murrumbidgee Valley in 2009/2010.

“A third ballot will commence immediately, under the same arrangements that applied in the previous two Murrumbidgee water ballots,”

“Applications will be received by State Water staff in Deniliquin for a three week period, ending close of business 8 March 2010. Full details will be available on State Water’s website shortly.”

Mr Harriss also advised that the carryover rules that applied in 2009/10 would be repeated in 2010/11 and that all trading in the Murray and Murrumbidgee would close on 30 May 2010.

Mr Harriss said that further details of water management in the Murrumbidgee, Murray and Lower Darling River valleys are available in today’s Critical Water Planning communiqués, available on the Office of Water website at www.water.nsw.gov.au.

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