A MINIMUM water allocation announcement of two per cent for Riverland growers and irrigators represents the lowest figure a senior local industry figure could recall.
The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) yesterday announced a projected minimum allocation of two per cent for South Australian irrigators and growers, following an online information session held last week regarding the 2020-21 water year.
Former Murray Darling Association Lock 5 chairman Peter Hunter said the figure was the “lowest” opening allocation announcement he could remember.
Minister for Water David Speirs said the low projection was based on current storage levels in Murray-Darling catchments.
“Due to continuing dry conditions across much of the Basin, water flowing into the River Murray system in 2019-20 has been about one-third of the long-term average,” Mr Speirs said.
“It’s important to remember this is only a projected minimum opening allocation and water allocations will be updated regularly and if conditions improve, allocations will rise.
“The Liberal government made a strong commitment to provide water users with more timely and accurate information around water availability to help with business planning, (and) this is especially important in years when water allocations are likely to be restricted at the outset.”
Allocations for SA Murray irrigators opened at 14 per cent in the last water year, however eventually rose to 100 per cent.
Central Irrigation Trust (CIT) chief executive officer Gavin McMahon said yesterday’s announcement represented the minimum volume of water that would be available in South Australia.
“I’m still reasonably positive about the coming season,” Mr McMahon said.
“It’s really important to look at what those end numbers are forecast to be and I would be surprised if we don’t have a reasonable year, looking at all the data that’s presented.
“We might get off to a slow start, but I think the indicators are there, we should end up with reasonable volumes of water for entitlement holders.”
Mr McMahon said predicted above average rainfall for the year should result in the allocation number rising.
“Storages are only slightly lower than last year, not significantly lower, and the outlook from the BoM is quite favourable,” he said.
“If the forecasts turn to reality there’s no reason we can’t finish off the same way we did (in 2019-20). The forecasts are saying we’ll have above average rainfall and we should know that certainly by October.
“I think it’s a time to take stock and make some plans, but not to be despondent.”
Changes to South Australia’s private carryover policy – now allowing irrigators to carryover up to 20 per cent of their full allocation across multiple low-water years – were also announced.
Mr McMahon said irrigators would have access to key allocation information – and information sessions – through electronic means during the current coronavirus emergency.