NSW Water Commissioner David Harriss, has announced an increase of 9 per cent for Lachlan Valley general security irrigators.

 

Mr Harriss said the inflows into Wyangala Dam and tributary inflows downstream of the dam have continued to provide further improvements in water availability.

 

“The improvement has enabled an increase for general security licence holders to 117 per cent of entitlement.”

 

Mr Harriss said that Wyangala Dam is currently at 92 percent of capacity, holding 1,117,000 megalitres.

 

“Dam levels have been maintained at above 90 percent since the December 2010, peaking at 1,130,000 megalitres or 93 percent in mid January 2011.”

 

“With inflows in the valley being above the long term average this year, general security licence holders are now able to access full allocations and can also look to setting water aside for use next year,” he said.

 

There is high likelihood that rainfall conditions for the next three months will exceed median conditions, which is in stark contrast to the drought conditions experienced in the Lachlan Valley in recent years.

 

“Storages downstream have maintained healthy volumes with Lake Cargelligo at 102 percent of capacity and 37,000 megalitres, and Lake Brewster about 97,000 megalitres.”

 

The water sharing plan for the Lachlan Valley which has been suspended since 2004 will be recommenced on 1 July 2011.

 

More information regarding water allocations and the reintroduction of the Lachlan Water

Sharing Plan is available on the NSW Office of Water website www.water.nsw.gov.au.