Season recap
28 June 2023
We had a challenging year, with a late start to the rural season. High rainfall meant demand for rural water was at its lowest since 2010/11.
Our 2022/23 rural season closed on Saturday 13 May 2023, with a total of 781 rural water orders. This was 409 lower than the previous year. The total volume of water delivered, including water supplied through our three pipeline systems, was approximately 2,128 megalitres.
The October 2022 floods had a significant impact across our rural channel system, with a 35-metre section of the Coliban Main Channel collapsing and requiring extensive repairs. Many other channels across our network were also impacted by floodwater, with silt and debris reducing water flow to customers. In response, a program of desilting works has been carried out on a scale not seen in recent memory.
During the season, we also carried out some urgent reinforcement work on the historic head wall of the old Calder Highway siphon at Malmsbury, (pictured).
The Kangaroo Channel was closed during the season, with its remaining licence holders exiting the system or obtaining an alternative water supply. As urban development continues in the Strathfieldsaye area, this has also impacted our Emu #2 Eppalock Channel. We are speaking with licence holders who were previously serviced via this channel, and they may opt to surrender their licence or secure an alternative supply. We intend to close this channel by March 2026.
In February, a Blue-Green Algae (BGA) event in our Malmsbury Reservoir impacted a large section of the rural channel system. The impact of wet weather and flooding – including high levels of run-off – contributed to a high number of algal blooms. We also dealt with prolonged BGA across our Lockwood channel system.
New members of our Rural team
During 2022/23, we welcomed two new members to our Rural team. Victoria Tully has taken up the role of Customer Support Officer (Rural) and Craig Mensforth as a Rural Services Officer.
You may speak with Vic, or see Craig out and about in our region, as they carry out business support for rural customers or assist with maintenance and improvements to our rural network.
Outlook for next season
Allocations are 100% for the 2023/24 season, despite drier-than-average conditions forecast over the coming months.
Very high inflows allowed the levels in our catchment storages to remain relatively high in 2022/23. We also received above average rainfall over Autumn, which has resulted in good inflows more recently.
As at late June 2023, the combined volume for our three catchment storages, Upper Coliban, Lauriston and Malmsbury reservoirs are 90% of capacity and we are holding 97% of our share of Lake Eppalock. Check here for latest reservoir levels.
Temporary water sales
Customers who are not using their water have the option to list their water for temporary transfer, to assist other rural customers who may need additional volumes.
If you have water available for next season, you can list it on our Rural Transfer List. Download the relevant form here or phone our Rural team on 1300 363 200 for more information.
Rural Water Guide
Read the Rural Water Guide 2023/24 here. The guide for the 2024/25 season is due for release August 2024.
Last updated on 06 Sep 2023