Murrumbidgee Irrigation

Murrumbidgee Irrigation today reminded customers that the ongoing dry conditions had persisted since its January announcement of season closure in the last week of March, and that irrigators must plan for that closure.

Brett Tucker, Managing Director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) advised that “whilst the company was exploring all options to secure emergency supplies post-March, at this stage MI will have no alternative but to cease diversions from the river because we have insufficient conveyance allowance to deliver small amounts of water following the cuts announced by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in November.”

MI continues to work through options to secure essential supplies after system closure. If extra water can be sourced, MI will endeavour to hold water in channels where crops still remain on permanent plantings for as long as possible after shut down and work with customers to make best possible use of this residual water.

Mr Tucker announced some further refinement of the 5% Crop Protection Package for eligible high security customers. The enhancement will be available for use during March and if water can be sourced for emergency supplies after system closure in March, only crops that remain unharvested will continue to have access to this 5% enhancement.

Mr Tucker said that two further measures were now required to help secure essential supplies.

“Firstly, as there is some doubt as to the deliverability of future temporary transfers, MI is notifying customers that any temporary transfers not applied for and approved by the company by 28th February, may not be able to be delivered this season at all.”

“Secondly, effective from the 1st March, all customers taking low flow rates for their supplies will have their usage assessed using corrective tolerances. Assessments of recorded usage are required due to the level of inaccuracy of water meters at low flows, particularly Dethridge wheels,” Mr Tucker advised.

For information on conversion factors and meter types, customers should contact either MI Customer Services or Irrigation Services at Griffith or Leeton. Flows of less than 1ML per day will not be provided unless otherwise agreed with Irrigation Services staff.

In the event that emergency supplies cannot be sourced, any customers with fixed requirements for water in April and May, including stock and domestic needs, should carefully consider options such as increased on-farm storage.

No new allocation announcement from DNR is expected this week.