Irrigators in the Goulburn, Loddon and Campaspe systems have had their water allocation increased, while allocations for the Murray, Bullarook and Broken systems are unchanged.
In the latest seasonal determinations update by northern Victoria resource manager Mark Bailey, the Goulburn and Loddon systems increased from 66 per cent of high-reliability water shares to 68 per cent, and the Campaspe system moved from 65 per cent HRWS to 66 per cent.
The Murray system was unchanged on 56 per cent HRWS and the Broken system remained on zero per cent HRWS, while the Bullarook system stayed at 100 per cent HRWS and 100 per cent of low-reliability water shares.
Dr Bailey said hot and dry conditions continued to affect water availability across northern Victorian systems since the previous seasonal determinations update.“Actual system losses are tracking very close to our assumptions across the systems,” he said.
“The small increases announced for the Goulburn, Loddon and Campaspe systems came from slightly better than expected performance.“Similar benefits were not available in the Murray or Broken systems."
Over the past fortnight, the shortfall in the Broken system reduced marginally, but 1700 Ml will be needed before a positive seasonal determination can be made.
The next 2019-20 seasonal determination announcement will be released on Monday, February 3.