Coliban Water has today announced that the 2026/27 rural irrigation season will open with a 60% allocation for all rural licensed customers. This is the second consecutive year the season has opened with a reduced allocation, with the 2025/26 season opening at 30%.
Coliban Water Executive Manager Strategy, Adam Crameri, said the opening allocation reflects the region’s water resource position and uncertain climate outlook.
“The rural allocation is determined on the available water resources and in accordance with our drought response planning,” Mr Crameri said.
Coliban Water’s storages are currently sitting at about 60% capacity, or about 41 gigalitres.
With the opening allocation starting low, this may increase if the region’s water resource position improves – as it did ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“While we’ve had some good rainfall in recent weeks which is wetting the catchment, we will still require a lot more to translate into significant inflows into our storages near Kyneton,” Mr Crameri said. “Unfortunately, the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting below average rainfall and above average temperatures for the coming months and has recently declared an El Niño active. Historically El Niño events have led to some of Australia’s hottest and driest weather on record.”
Mr Crameri said Coliban Water would continue to monitor the situation closely in the lead up to rural season opening in late October.
“We will reassess the water resource position on the 15th of each month starting in August and continue to keep customers informed on any changes to allocation, including updates on our website.”
Last season 29% of rural water licences in the Coliban Water service region were not used. Customers in this position should consider making their unused licence volumes available for temporary transfer, which will enable other customers to purchase larger water allocations.
Customers wishing to arrange a temporary transfer can contact Coliban Water on 1300 363 200 or visit www.coliban.com.au