Water Access for 2002/2003

25 July 2002

Water Availability

Chief Executive of Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Geoff Hipkins announced today that recent dry and cold weather conditions had increased demand for water, especially from citrus growers and farmers with winter crops.

Mr Hipkins said as a result, limited channel filling was commencing in preparation for the coming irrigation season. There would be a staged start up as maintenance and construction works were still in progress and access to river water was limited.

Ordered water will be made available where possible however there may be a delay in some areas to allow filling of channels or completion of channel works.

From Monday, 29 July, irrigators needing water should contact the Irrigation Services groups in Griffith on 6962 0244 and at Leeton 6953 0154.

General Security Allocation

Mr Hipkins reminded irrigators that allocation levels had not yet been announced but the expectation was for very low levels of general security allocation at this stage. Growers will need to take great care not to over commit plantings.

Individual notifications on carryovers would be posted to shareholders in the next few days.

ends

For further information contact: Geoff Hipkins, Chief Executive, phone: 6953 0100