Goulburn Valley Water announced today that all towns supplied from the Murray and Goulburn River Systems will be phasing in higher water restrictions between May and July, if the extreme dry weather and low inflows to water storages continue.

Goulburn Valley Water’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Laurie Gleeson said that the Authority receives a seasonal allocation to supply towns on the Murray and Goulburn River Systems which can change each year. “This is a share of the water stored in Eildon on the Goulburn system and Dartmouth and Hume Dams on the Murray system.”

“The allocation this season on both systems has been around 95% of our total water entitlement which has been adequate to maintain supplies at Stage 1 water restrictions. However, with record low inflows occurring during 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, next season’s allocations will be severely reduced from 1 July 2007, which will necessitate the introduction of higher level water restrictions,” said Mr Gleeson.

“On the Murray system it is likely that the Authority’s allocation next season will start at 0% and this is expected to continue until significant inflows occur into Dartmouth and Hume Dams,” said Mr Gleeson. “This will require Stage 4 restrictions to be in place from 1 July 2007 and it is proposed to phase in restrictions from 1 May 2007 for towns supplied directly from the Murray River.”

Mr Gleeson said that towns on the Murray System which are supplied from the Goulburn-Murray Water channel system or the Broken Creek will require higher level restrictions earlier. “Katamatite will move to Stage 3 water restrictions at the end of the irrigation season, i.e. 1 May and then to Stage 4 from 1 July.  This is due to the channel system closing earlier this season and no likelihood of the channel system running during winter to replenish town storages,” he said.  “Picola and towns supplied direct from the Broken Creek will need to move directly to Stage 4 from 1 May, due to limited storage and no guarantee of additional water during winter.”

“Goulburn Valley Water’s entitlement on the Goulburn System is based on inflows to Lake Eildon over the preceding two year period.  As a result of the low inflows in 2006, our entitlement was reduced to around 95% for this season,” said Mr Gleeson. “If the extreme low inflows continue we could have an allocation as low as 29% for next season. This will require Stage 4 restrictions to be in place from 1 July 2007 and it is proposed to phase in restrictions from 1 May 2007 for towns supplied directly from the Goulburn River."

Mr Gleeson said that towns on the Goulburn System supplied from the Goulburn-Murray Water channel system will require higher level restrictions earlier. “These towns will move to Stage 3 water restrictions at the end of the irrigation season, i.e. 1 May and then to Stage 4 from 1 July. This is due to the channel system closing earlier this season and no likelihood of the channel system running during winter to replenish town storages.”

“This plan is subject to review based upon inflows to the Goulburn and Murray storages both before and after 1 July 2007.”