RIVERLAND growers and irrigators are set to have access to their full water allocations from day one of the upcoming water year.
The State Government announced yesterday SA River Murray irrigators would receive 100 per cent allocations for the 2021/22 water year, improving upon a 94 per cent figure released last month.
Minister for Water David Speirs said favourable weather conditions, combined with current storage levels, meant water users could approach the next year with a high level of assurance.
“This is great news for the state’s irrigators as it means they can begin the new water year with confidence and plan their business with the knowledge they will have access to 100 per cent allocation from day one,” Mr Speirs said.
“(This) announcement is a positive turnaround from last year when widespread dry conditions saw opening allocations start at only 40 per cent.
“What we’ve experienced over summer is relatively mild conditions followed by decent rainfall across the Basin.
“This has seen water in storages at a level much higher than we’ve had in June in recent years, including significant inflows into the Menindee Lakes, allowing us to start the 2021-22 water year in great shape.”
Allocations for SA River Murray irrigators were 40 per cent at this time last year.
Mr Speirs said utilising the recently developed SA River Murray Water Calculator would assist local growers and irrigators maximise their water resource efficiency.
“I encourage the state’s irrigators to access the calculator and see how it may be able to help with their business planning,” he said.
“Providing early advice and business tools like the calculator allows irrigators to make informed investment decisions around what they’ll do with their crops and perennial plantings, and manage business certainty.”
Access to the SA River Murray Water Calculator is available by visiting the website (https://apps.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/watercalc/Home/Index).