RECENT high rainfall levels anticipated to continue through the rest of winter could see Riverland irrigators and growers receive 100 per cent allocations “by October”.
The Department of Environment and Water last week released an updated 77 per cent allocation figure for South Australian entitlement holders, further improving on the 54 per cent announcement made earlier this month.
SA Murray Irrigators chair Caren Martin said current storage levels would give Riverland water users resource security for numerous years.
“The signs have been there for a while that we’re heading toward a wetter cycle and that’s playing out in this year’s winter rainfall,” Ms Martin said
“It’s really encouraging that’s equated to increased water allocations and interestingly the storages are filling up as well.
“It puts us in good stead for another three years of potential dry, where water supplies would be secure. It’s good for future years as well.”
DEW acting River Murray water delivery manger Adrienne Rumbelow said the improvement equated to an extra 145GL of water for South Australia.
“Rainfall across key catchment areas continues to see conditions improving across the Basin leading to further increases in water availability for South Australian irrigators,” Ms Rumbelow said.
“We anticipate that winter will see continued improvements to inflows and storage levels… it’s now looking likely that allocations will reach 100 per cent by October.”
Ms Martin said local irrigation groups still hoped to reach more favourable policies regarding carryover water – which are set to come into effect when allocations pass 80 per cent – in future years.
“It’s not good to lose water and we’ll be continuing to work with governments to ensure people don’t lose their water,” she said.
“That’s something ourselves and other industry bodies, like RIT and CIT, are working towards.
“However, the current policy is if it stays wet it will go. It’s a double-edged sword because you lose it, but it shows the system is receiving water and allocations are (increasing).”
Ms Martin said environmentally focused initiatives would continue to improve water efficiency for Riverland irrigators.
“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes in the water space and a lot of things to come to light with water markets,” she said.
“There is a lot of work on federal bureaucracies trying to get the Works and Measures project rolled out.
“We’re all still working to make sure the river is a healthy place for all of us.”
The next allocation update for Riverland irrigators and growers will be released by DEW on Monday, August 3.
For more information regarding SA water allocations visit the website (https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray/water-allocations-and-announcements).