Murrumbidgee Irrigation

Minister Koperberg's announcement yesterday of an increase in high security allocation to 60% is good news for Murrumbidgee Irrigation 's (MI) customers. This increase, combined with the 5% restored allocation as a result of the November 2006 cuts, has allowed the company to begin a more normal irrigation season service to main canal and gazetted high security horticulture.

This service will commence as an extension to the current watering event which will now commence from Thursday 30 August due to the increase in demand and delay from the dams in being able to supply our requirements. Customers are advised that orders have been scheduled on a first come first served basis. MI Irrigation Services staff will make direct contact with all customers who have existing orders and advise of delivery status within the next 48 hours. Customers are reminded of the potential for water to be debited to farm use in the event of cancellations if MI is unable to re-regulate the ordered water.

Customers are again reminded to be cautious when making plans for watering remote sites, particularly if they have plans for an ongoing summer crop program. At current allocation levels MI cannot guarantee delivery to all parts of the system for the whole season. Large area customers proposing watering programs after this current event are encouraged to make contact with Irrigation Services (Griffith 6962 0224 / Leeton 6953 0154) to register their intention. MI will provide accurate advice regarding potential supplies after the current scheduled event. Shortly we will also advise a description of service options for different parts of the system based on various allocation scenarios. Where possible, it would assist MI if customers could coordinate requirements or combine cropping programs into areas where more consistent supply can be underwritten.

As a result of the announcement that the 5% suspended water from November 06 was no longer required to be immediately offset against the 02/03 Snowy debt, MI has been progressively increasing its water orders from the river in line with the increase in customer orders. State Water commenced additional dam releases last Thursday the 23rd August with the delivery period being pushed out to six days for the Main Canal and seven days for the Sturt Canal offtake.

“Normally we are in a position to deliver all of our customer orders within a 4 day period,” said MI Operations Manager Russell Webb. “However the deliveries have been delayed by a couple of days due to the very low levels in the river and weir pools. MI understands the frustration and pressure customers are experiencing as a result of this delay, especially with the above average temperatures of the last couple of days. We ask customers to remain patient and maintain communication with MI field staff. “

Industrial entitlement customers such as intensive livestock still remain in survival mode and will have their critical needs met.

For further info rmation regarding this media release, please contact Russell Webb, Operations Manager Murrumbidgee Irrigation on 02 6962 0200.