Transcription
Department of Planning and EnvironmentWater Allocation Statement1 July 2022Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSWRegulated River Water SourcesWater availability and allocation updateThe NSW Department of Planning and Environment today announced opening water allocations forregulated river water users for the 2022/23 water year.Water year 2021/22 summaryThe 2021/22 water year marked full recovery from severe drought experienced from late 2017 toearly 2021, with notable improvements in state of water resources. River operation focus shiftedfrom drought recovery to flood risk management. The Barwon-Darling River has been flowingconsistently, with large flows in some months resulting in the most significant inflow to MenindeeLakes in almost a decade. All major rural storages have been near full; many spilling or releasingwater for flood mitigation. Only Windemere and Split Rock dams failed to recover beyond 59% and73% full respectively. The total volume of water held in major NSW storages has increased from anaverage of about 62% this time last year, to be now about 97% of full capacity.The 2021/22 water year has seen the account balance of general security water users on severalregulated river water sources reach their maximum limit. By December 2021, general security userson all regulated rivers, except two, received at least 100% allocation. The general security users onBega-Brogo and Belubula rivers received 50% and 83% allocation. However, they had access torain-induced events (uncontrolled flows), so had no shortage of access to water regardless ofallocation.Good rainfalls resulted in the maximum allocation to all other licence types on regulated rivers. Theexception was supplementary users on the Border and Gwydir rivers, who were limited to 75% and50% allocation respectively, yet actual usage did not reach these reduced limits. In most of therivers, there were ample opportunities for supplementary take. Allocation to supplementary waterusers on Hunter River rose to 200% for a second consecutive water year.Opening allocation 2022/23All critical needs, including town water supplies, are secure for the 2022/23 water year. Fullallocation has been made to all town supplies and domestic and stock water users.Opening allocations (1 July) are mostly about ensuring licence categories that cannot carryoverwater from water year to water year, are provided with a new annual allocation. Resourceassessments and allocations for general security water users will continue to their usual timetable,meaning that water allocation statements for respective regulated river water sources will beissued as scheduled in July, based on the end of June resource assessment. State of New South Wales through Department of Planning and Environment 2022. Information contained in this publication is based onknowledge and understanding at the time of writing, July 2022, and is subject to change. For more information, please visitdpie.nsw.gov.au/copyrightPUB22/527
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water SourcesGeneral security water users on all regulated coastal rivers, except for users on the Bega-BrogoRiver, are receiving maximum 100% allocation. Inland, the Upper Namoi, Peel and Lower Darlingusers are also receiving their maximum 100% allocation. General security water users can accesstheir unused account balance if allowed to be carried over by their relevant water sharing plan rules.Full allocation is provided to supplementary licence holders in all applicable river systems, apartfrom the Border and Gwydir regulated river systems, where allocation of 74% and 21% are providedrespectively. The reduced allocation is triggered by the required growth-in-use strategy outlined inthe respective water sharing plans. Access to supplementary water is only available in periods ofannounced supplementary flow.Water allocation statements for major inland regulated river systems are published and updated onthe department’s website at least monthly. The statements explain the latest information on thesharing of available resources.NSW Border Rivers regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security (A class) licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security (B class) licence holders have received an allocation of 100%.Water remaining in general security (A class and B class) accounts has been carried forward infull. However, the maximum volume that may be held at any time is 1.0 ML/share.Further allocations to general security (B class) may be announced in routine water allocationstatements after 1 July 2022 as usage from general security (B class) accounts occurs.Supplementary access licence holders have received an allocation of 0.74 ML/share (74% ofentitlement)Gwydir regulated river All licence holders, except general security and supplementary, have received their maximum(100%) allocation.Water held in general security accounts accrue on a continuous basis and has been carriedforward in full. The maximum volume that may be held at any time is 1.5 ML/share.Supplementary access licence holders have received an allocation of 0.2 1ML/share (21% ofentitlement).The next routine water allocation statement, to be published on 7 July 2022, will be based on theend of June resource assessment.Upper and Lower Namoi regulated rivers All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security licence holders in the Upper Namoi received their maximum (100%) allocation.Water held in Lower Namoi general security accounts are accrued on a continuous basis andhave been carried forward in full. The maximum volume that may be held in Lower Namoi generalsecurity accounts at any time is 2 ML/share.The estimated Lower Namoi general security account balance for 1 July 2022 is 421 GL which is172% of share components.Supplementary licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5272
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water Sources The next routine water allocation statement, to be published on 7 July 2022, will be based on theend of June resource assessment.Peel regulated river All higher priority licence holders including domestic and stock, local water utilities, and highsecurity water access licences, have received their maximum (100%) allocations.General security licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation withcommensurate maximum 5 GL allocated to environmental contingency allowance (ECA).All license categories in this water source are accounted on an annual basis with the remainingaccount balances from 2021/22 being forfeited after 30 June 2022.As water allocations for 2022/23 have reached their maximum limit, regular allocationannouncements have ceased. However, conditions will continue to be monitored and statementswill be issued quarterly to update the resource availability.Macquarie-Cudgegong regulated rivers All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Supplementary licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security licence holders commence the 2022/23 water year with a 40% allocation, withthe EWA account receiving a commensurate allocation.The water carried over from the 2021/22 water year by general security users is estimated tototal 566 GL (92% of share components). This estimate will be confirmed in July.The carryover from the 2021/22 water year for the Macquarie environmental water allowance(EWA) is 160 GL.Estimated general security carryover in the Cudgegong is likely to be about 42 GL which isequivalent to about 227% of general security entitlement.The next routine water allocation statement, to be published on 12 July 2022, will be based onthe end of June resource assessment.Lachlan regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Conveyance licence holders have received 100% allocation.Wyangala and Brewster environmental water allowances (EWAs) are fully allocated (10 GL each).The annual use limit for the 2022/23 water year is 100% of entitlement.Water carried over by general security water users is estimated to be around 747 GL (126% ofentitlement). This estimate allows for water that is potentially traded in from high security andconveyance entitlements and will be confirmed in July.The next routine water allocation statement, to be published on 8 July 2022, will be based on theend of June resource assessment.Belubula regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Water held in sub-accounts of general security licences has been carried forward subject to therules of the water sharing plan.Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5273
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water Sources The estimated general security account balance for 1 July 2022 is 23.2 GL which is 104% ofentitlement. The account limit for general security licences is 130% of entitlement.The system is currently in deficit by 2.4 GL due to high account balances. The deficit isimmaterial given the current wet conditions and surplus flows.Supplementary licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.With effective general security water availability above 50% of entitlement due to largecarryover volumes, uncontrolled flow will not be available to general security users.With Carcoar Dam full and high tributary flows, usage is needed to create airspace to capturemore water before there can be further significant allocation to general security licenses.The next water allocation statement will be published in August 2022, or earlier if storage levels,stream flow conditions or water availability changes significantly.Murrumbidgee regulated river All higher priority licence holders, including domestic and stock, local water utilities, and subcategory high security water access licences, have received their maximum (100%) allocation.High security licence holders have received their full (95%) opening allocation.General security and conveyance carryover into the 2022/23 water year is estimated to be about680 GL in total, equivalent to 30% of share components. The estimated carryover volume is at itsmaximum limit. Carryover numbers are estimates only and will be finalised by the end of July.General security licence holders commence the 2022/23 water year with a 35% allocation.Conveyance licence holders have received an allocation commensurate with the announcedgeneral security allocation in accordance with the water sharing planSupplementary licence holders (including Lowbidgee) received the maximum (100%) allocation.Inter-valley trade is subject to the Murrumbidgee IVT account balance, which is currentlyshowing that trade out of the valley is closed but trade into the valley is open. Trade within theMurrumbidgee valley is allowed in accordance with the water sharing plan.The Murrumbidgee IVT account balance on 30 June 2022 will be carried forward into the2022/23 water year on 1 July 2022. To avoid surprises, any decision to spill the IVT balance in the2022/23 water year will be communicated to water users and markets at least 10 days beforethe IVT account adjustment.Regular fortnightly water allocation statements will commence on Friday 15 July 2022.NSW Murray regulated river All higher priority licence holders, including domestic and stock, local water utilities, and subcategory high security water access licences, have received their maximum (100%) allocations.High security licence holders have received their full (97%) opening allocation.General security carryover into the 2022/23 water year is estimated to be about 838 GL in total,equivalent to 50% of share components. The estimated carryover volume is at its maximum limit.Carryover numbers are estimates only and will be finalised by the end of July.General security licence holders are commencing the 2022/23 water year with a 43% allocation.Conveyance licence holders have received an allocation commensurate with the announcedgeneral security allocation, in accordance with the water sharing plan.Supplementary licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5274
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water Sources The NSW Barmah-Millewa Allowance will be fully available on 1 July 2022. The current balance isapproximately 198 GL. (Note that there is no outstanding borrow, with general security 30%).The Barmah Choke trade balance will be re-set on 1 July and will reflect the volume of annualSnowy Savings below the choke that will not need to be delivered downstream.The Murrumbidgee IVT account balance on 30 June 2022 will be carried forward into the2022/23 water year on 1 July 2022. The Murrumbidgee IVT balance is Murray water held inMurrumbidgee storages, as a result of trade, and is callable when needed. To avoid surprises,any decision to spill the IVT balance in the 2022/23 water year will be communicated to waterusers and markets at least 10 days before the IVT account adjustment.Regular fortnightly water allocation statements will commence on Friday 15 July 2022.Lower Darling regulated river All water access licence holders, including domestic and stock, local water utility, high security,general security and supplementary have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Given high storage volumes, carryover in accounts is replaced by full allocations on 1 July.Due to significant inflows from the northern basins, the Menindee Lakes System is full andsurcharged above 100% full supply level. It is expected to remain full for some months.The Menindee resource remains shared with other states, under the Murray Darling BasinAgreement, as the system is holding more than 640 gigalitres (GL). It will remain a sharedresource until total storage next falls below 480 GL.Trade to and from the Lower Darling water source is open. Trade within the Lower Darling watersource is also permitted.The Wentworth to Broken Hill pipeline is operational and supplying water to Broken Hill from theMurray River. Water availability for this is linked to NSW Murray local water utility allocations.Regular fortnightly water allocation statements will commence on Friday 15 July 2022.Bega-Brogo regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security licence holders have received a 40% allocation. Note that the small storagecapacity of Brogo Dam relative to entitlements held cannot support a full general securityallocation at the start of the water year.Supplementary licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.The next water allocation statement will be published in August or earlier if conditions orforecasts change significantly.Hunter regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Environmental water allowance (EWA) has been credited with its maximum of 20 GL volume.General security licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Unused water in applicable licence categories has been carried forward from 2021/22 into the2022/23 water year, subject to allowable limits and maximum account balance rules.Supplementary licence holders have received a full opening allocation of 100%.Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5275
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water Sources Water resources have been fully allocated for the 2022/23 water year, apart fromsupplementary licence holders who may receive up to 200%. Therefore no further waterallocation statements are envisaged unless the resource situation changes significantly.Paterson regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.Supplementary licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.As water resources have been fully allocated for the 2022/23 water year, no further waterallocation statements are envisaged unless the resource situation changes significantly.Richmond regulated river All higher priority licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.General security licence holders have received their maximum (100%) allocation.All categories of licences are accounted on an annual basis. The unused account balances from2021/22 have been forfeited after 30 June 2022 and replaced with new allocations.As the water resources have been fully allocated for the 2022/23 water year, no further waterallocation statements are envisaged unless the resource situation changes significantly.Water SourcesCategoriesBEGA AND BROGO REGULATEDRIVERS WATER SOURCEDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0.4ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[TOWN WATER SUPPLY]100SUPPLEMENTARY WATERBELUBULA REGULATED RIVERWATER SOURCEBORDER RIVERS REGULATEDRIVER WATER SOURCEAmount1%ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareSUPPLEMENTARY WATER1ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5276
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water SourcesREGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITYA)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITYB)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/share0.74ML/shareSUPPLEMENTARY WATERGWYDIR REGULATED RIVERWATER SOURCEHUNTER REGULATED RIVERWATER SOURCELACHLAN REGULATED RIVERWATER SOURCELOWER NAMOI REGULATEDRIVER WATER SOURCEDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[RESEARCH]100%SUPPLEMENTARY WATER0.21ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%MAJOR UTILITY [POWER GENERATION]100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareSUPPLEMENTARY WATER1ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%REGULATED RIVER (CONVEYANCE)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5277
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water SourcesREGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[RESEARCH]100SUPPLEMENTARY WATERLOWER-DARLING REGULATEDRIVER WATER SOURCEMACQUARIE AND CUDGEGONGREGULATED RIVERS WATERSOURCEML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareSUPPLEMENTARY WATER1ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0.4ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[RESEARCH]100%REGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[TOWN WATER SUPPLY]100%SUPPLEMENTARY WATERMURRUMBIDGEE REGULATEDRIVER WATER SOURCE1%COLEAMBALLY TIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%MURRUMBIDGEE IRRIGATION(CONVEYANCE)0.7654ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (CONVEYANCE)0.35ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0.35ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)0.95ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[ABORIGINAL CULTURAL]100Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/527%8
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water SourcesNEW SOUTH WALES MURRAYREGULATED RIVER WATERSOURCEREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION]100%REGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[ENVIRONMENTAL]100%REGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[RESEARCH]100%REGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[TOWN WATER SUPPLY]100%SUPPLEMENTARY WATER1ML/shareSUPPLEMENTARY WATER (LOWBIDGEE)1ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY [DOMESTIC ANDCOMMERCIAL]100%REGULATED RIVER (CONVEYANCE)0.6670ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)0.43ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)0.97ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION]100%REGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[RESEARCH]100%REGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[TOWN WATER SUPPLY]100%SUPPLEMENTARY WATERPATERSON REGULATED RIVERWATER SOURCEML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[TOWN WATER SUPPLY]100SUPPLEMENTARY WATERPEEL REGULATED RIVERWATER SOURCE11%ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%Department of Planning and Environment PUB22/5279
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water SourcesRICHMOND REGULATEDWATER SOURCEUPPER NAMOI REGULATEDRIVER WATER SOURCEDOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)[RESEARCH]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareDOMESTIC AND STOCK100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [DOMESTIC]100%DOMESTIC AND STOCK [STOCK]100%LOCAL WATER UTILITY100%REGULATED RIVER (GENERAL SECURITY)1ML/shareREGULATED RIVER (HIGH SECURITY)1ML/shareDepartment of Planning and Environment PUB22/52710
Opening Water Allocations 2022/23 – NSW Regulated River Water SourcesNote the date of this storage report. For the latest information on storage volumes, please refer toWaterNSW’s Water Insights Portal at: waterinsights.waternsw.com.au/snapshotSubscribe here to receive the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s monthly email update onwater planning, management and reform in New South Wales.You can also follow the department on Twitter: @NSWDPIE WaterFeedback on this work or any aspect of the department’s service can be provided using the widget at:www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/contactDepartment of Planning and Environment PUB22/52711
Today
