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3 October 2007 HIGH SECURITY INCREASE WELCOMED Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) has welcomed today's announcement by Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Phil Koperberg of an increase in the available water determination for high security users (from 60% to 75% plus 5% restored allocation), stock and domestic licence holders (from 50% to 100%) and town water supplies (from 50% to 70% under level 3a restrictions). MI Chairman, Dick Thompson said that the announcement was good news, particularly for the company's high security customers. "This announcement will help ease the pressure for many of our high security customers, particularly those with a higher on-farm water requirement. While the decision about what to do with the available water is totally up to the individual, customers should be reminded that carry over is available again this season." "Unfortunately the news is not encouraging for our general security customers who remain stranded on 0% this season with access only to the 5% restored allocation from last season. In light of this, I again call on the NSW government to provide relief from bulk water charges for these customers." The system remains on a restricted supply regime as per previous advice to customers. Eligible customers requiring irrigation water outside this regime should contact MI Irrigation Services in Griffith or Leeton in order for possible solutions to be considered. MI continues to work closely with Minister Koperberg and the Department of Water and Energy in understanding the state of the resource and ensuring information about water availability reaches customers in a timely manner. "We have requested further information about the state of the Murrumbidgee resource. It is important for our customers that decisions made about the sharing of the resource and allocations are based on accurate information and as such are neither too conservative nor too bullish," said Mr Thompson. Minister Koperberg also stated that if conditions stay dry, a 'southern basin approach' will be considered concerning water sharing in the Murrumbidgee and Murray Valleys. "Whilst I concur that available options should be considered, I am not sure what this approach means for our customers or when such a decision should be made. However the Minister has indicated to me that a move to such an approach would not impact on Murrumbidgee irrigators," advised Mr Thompson.
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