17 December 2007

GENERAL SECURITY NOW THREE PER CENT

Murrumbidgee Irrigation Chairman, Dick Thompson, welcomed today's announcement by Acting Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water, Nathan Rees, of a 3% General Security allocation in the Murrumbidgee Valley.

“Given the season we are experiencing, any increase in allocations is welcome news,” he said.

Acting Minister Rees has indicated that allocations for High Security licence holders will remain at 90% of entitlement and town water supply and stock and domestic users at 100%.

“While priority under the legislation indicates that High Security entitlement holders would normally receive their full 95% before any allocation to General Security, the Water Sharing Plan is currently suspended. As such, allocations are totally at the discretion of the Minister”, said Mr Thompson.

“Although a 3% allocation for General Security is relatively small, I have no doubt that in many cases it will assist in helping our customers repay Snowy advances and company overdraws.”

Customers without either an advance or overdraw, wishing to use water on-farm should contact their Divisional Operator to ensure that supply requirements for the remainder of the season can be met. Customers should contact Griffith on 6962 0200 and Leeton on 6953 0100.

Ends

For further info rmation regarding this media release, please contact Brett Tucker, Managing Director, Murrumbidgee Irrigation on 02 6962 0200.