Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is expecting to see irrigation demand reach exceptionally high levels, higher than most records.
GMW’s 2024–25 irrigation season has already been exceptionally busy, with more than 822,000 ML delivered to irrigators thus far. This amount significantly surpasses the average for this point in the season, which is around 440,000 ML, and exceeds the total delivered during both the 2019–20 and 2022–23 irrigation seasons. Regardless, the busiest months are likely still ahead. The final months of the irrigation season usually see the highest demand for water, and given the recent dry weather, this season is expected to be no different.
GMW said it is fully equipped for this situation. A significant aspect of this readiness has been the proactive transfer of water to storage facilities downstream within its delivery network. By maintaining adequate water levels in storages like Waranga Basin and Ghow (Kow) Swamp, GMW guarantees that when irrigation demand rises, the necessary water is already available in its delivery network, thereby reducing potential delays for irrigators.
GMW is also working to assist its customers in preparing for increased demand, especially in regions that may enter a rationing cycle, such as the Loddon Valley and Murray Valley districts. While rationing is rare, it helps ensure fairness among irrigators during periods when irrigation demand is anticipated to surpass channel capacity for several weeks.
Under standard delivery conditions, the only constraint on the volume of water that irrigators may request is their water allocation, which indicates the amount they are authorized to use in a season. In a rationing cycle, irrigators are allowed to withdraw only a fraction of their delivery share. This ensures a fair distribution of the available capacity in the channel that serves their property. By enforcing these limits during periods of unusually high demand, GMW said it can provide its customers with consistent access to water, even though each rationing cycle imposes a cap on the amount they can withdraw.
GMW recently organized a series of drop-in sessions for customers to address their inquiries regarding rationing and preparation strategies. Additionally, it has created various online resources to enhance customer understanding of rationing. These resources include a rationing calculator that allows individuals to determine their potential water access under various rationing scenarios, as well as detailed information about the forms required to modify or transfer delivery shares before a rationing event. Precise predictions about when and where rationing might happen are challenging due to the numerous factors that affect it.
To help provide irrigators with a clearer indication of when GMW may need to implement a rationing cycle, its water systems operators closely monitor the orders received. When there is no rain in sight and orders begin to surge, GMW realises it may be approaching levels that require rationing. However, before putting a rationing cycle into action, its water systems planners will consider alternative solutions to avoid necessary restrictions. This includes collaborating with customers to reschedule orders and delivering orders around the clock, ensuring GMW always makes the most of the capacity in its delivery network.
Therefore, GMW only rations when it is absolutely necessary, meaning that when it does ration, it is because it is the most equitable option available under the circumstances.
If there are customers that still have any questions about rationing, then GMW said it is here to help.
Irrigators can contact their water planner or GMW’s general inquiry line on 1800 013 357. For more information, or to use the rationing calculator, people can also visit its rationing webpage.
