General security (GS) licenses in the Gwydir regulated river water source have received a further allocation of 4% of entitlement.
The Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) has similarly increased in accordance with the water sharing plan rule. Cumulative general security allocation for 2023/24 has now reached 15% of entitlement.
Since the last assessment, rainfall has continued to elevate inflows above the minimums while losses remain below budget providing new resources for the allocation increment announced today. The inflow to Copeton Dam in April was 13.6 gigalitre (GL) and downstream tributary inflows added another 49 GL to the system.
Total essential supply demand was about 1 GL, and general security usage was approximately 9.5 GL. The EWA order for the month was about 2.7 GL.
Water currently available to GS water users totals 447.1 GL, or an average 88% of entitlement. The Environmental Water Allowance (EWA) account balance is 87.6 GL or 195% full. The EWA was known as the Environmental Contingency Allowance (ECA) before the plan amendment of July 2022. This resource assessment is based on information to 30 April 2024. Any change in resources from this date will be captured in the next routine statement in June 2024.
Resource outlook for 2024/25
The outlook for likely 1 July 2024 water availability is based on several assumptions. Water users are advised that forecast allocations are not certain, may change and should be used with caution. It aims to broadly guide water users with their end of year water management decisions. Water users are reminded to check account limits and the carryover provisions on their entitlements, noting that water can forfeit from some accounts after 30 June 2024.
- Water for all critical consumptive and non-consumptive needs, including basic landholder rights and town water, is secure for the 2024/25 water year.
- High priority water access license holders including local water utility, stock and domestic and high security entitlements can expect full (100%) allocations on 1 July 2024.
- Water held in general security accounts accrues on a continuous basis and is carried forward into the new water year. The maximum volume that may be held in account at any time is 1.5 megalitres (ML)/unit share (or 150% of entitlement).
- General security water users can expect full access to their carried over account water, but no new allocation will be announced on 1 July. Instead, the usual monthly resource assessment will continue, commencing in early July, and any new allocation will be announced in the routine allocation statements throughout 2024/25.
- Floodplain Harvesting water access licence holders can expect a 100% allocation 1 July 2024.
- Supplementary water access licence holders can also expect a 100% allocation 1 July 2024. However, access to this water is subject to periods of declared supplementary flow.
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