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8 August 2007 WELCOME WATER RELIEF FOR MURRUMBIDGEE VALLEY Better than average inflows into the Murrumbidgee Valley catchments over the last couple of months has allowed the State Government to announce some good news for the MIA. The 5% water suspended in licencees' accounts in November 2006 as well as carry-over from 2006/07 will be repaid to both general and high security customers. Additionally, effective immediately, a 30% allocation for high security users has also been announced. Brett Tucker Managing Director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) advised "we have been working closely with the NSW Government and the Minister's announcement today is encouraging news for our customers, allowing them to commence planning for the 07/08 season. However, I strongly urge caution to be taken when making these plans as the storages remain low and town water supply for 08/09 has yet to be reserved. Today's announcement enables MI to run a rostered event for a limited time only." MI reminds customers that access to available water for irrigation depends on payment of all water debts in accounts to both MI and Snowy Hydro Limited under the 2002/03 borrow arrangements. Any financial arrears should be settled or arrangements made to settle, before accessing water. A water statement advising opening balances will be sent to customers this week. Contact Customer Services in Griffith 6962 0200 or Leeton 6953 0100 for clarification of accounts or arrangements for settlement of accounts. Today's announcement means the cancellation of the survival watering program for permanent plantings. MI will commence refilling of the irrigation system in preparation for a rostered watering event for eligible customers commencing next Thursday 16 August. At the same time, MI hopes to undertake a comprehensive stock and domestic fill. Customers requiring water for stock and domestic purposes should make an application to MI Irrigation Services. Industrial entitlement customers such as intensive livestock remain in survival mode and therefore their critical needs will continue to be met until conditions improve. Ordering opens from 8am Monday 13 August and will close 5pm Thursday 16 August. Orders for Leeton are to be placed via the phone ordering system on 6953 0161 / 162 / 165. Griffith orders are to be placed with Irrigation Services in Yambil St during office hours. Phone enquiries for Griffith customers can be made on 6962 0224. Card boxes will not be cleared and ordering is only through the specified options as given. Customers should review their requirements immediately and place orders within this timeframe. MI cannot guarantee delivery for late orders. Such orders will be placed at the back of the queue and subject to water availability at the time of supply. Customers are also advised that if they order water but do not take it, it will be debited to their account regardless, unless there is substantial local rainfall. Minister Koperberg also announced today that all water in accounts is tradeable consistent with normal trade rules. The requirement to submit an application to trade high security entitlements prior to 1 September has been suspended until the water sharing plan is reinstated. Applications for trade of Murrumbidgee high security water will be accepted past this date. As at 6 August, Burrinjuck Dam was at 41.3% capacity and Blowering Dam at 27.4% which are still considered to be low levels. Town water supply for 2008/09 has yet to be set aside and therefore further allocations for irrigation requirements was dependent on future inflows. Mr Tucker reminded MI customers about the company's free Quick Contact messaging service. "In the last year we have made a concerted effort towards keeping our customers up-to-date with accurate and timely information so they can make informed decisions for their businesses. MI offers its customers a free fax/email/sms service to spread the word quickly and every customer should register by contacting reception or customer services," said Mr Tucker. Ends |