Water allocations for the 2021/22 rural season will open at 100 per cent, Coliban Water announced today.
Once the season opens in the late Spring, Coliban Water’s 1,362 rural customers will have access to their full licence water volume for their property, which is supplied by 504 kilometres of rural channels and pipelines.
Executive General Manager Climate and Population Adaptation Steve Healy said the announcement means the rural season will experience a full water allocation for the 11th year in a row.
“This is good news for our rural customers and allows them to plan ahead for their families, businesses and livelihood,” Mr Healy said.
“Our rural customers rely on this water allocation throughout the warmer months to sustain their properties, whether that’s running their orchards, vineyards, stock or for lifestyle.”
The decision for 100 per cent allocations is based on the current storage levels of the three major catchments in the Coliban System. These are currently sitting at 81.5 per cent, and there is also rainfall forecast for the season ahead.
“This year’s rainfall into our catchments has been good, when also factoring in climate change,” Mr Healy added.
“Our water inflow for this past financial year was approximately 40,000 megalitres, which is 10,000 megalitres more than average over the last 25 years.”
Mr Healy added our region is adapting to a hotter and drier climate, and we can’t be complacent and expect our current water sources to be as reliable in the future.
“When making any of our water resources decisions we want to ensure there is enough water to sustain and grow economic activity and investment for our region, while also aiming to maintain two years of supply in store,” he said.
“We remain focused on the challenges of water security and climate change outlined in our Strategy 2030 - our 10-year plan to achieve our vision of Water to Live, Grow and Enjoy.”
Rural water deliveries will start towards the end of October 2021, depending on demand. Rural customers will be sent further information once channel rosters have been finalised.
Rural customers on our recycled water channel systems of Ascot and Cockatoo Hill will also receive 100 per cent of allocation.
For further information see the rural, reservoir levels or water security page of our website coliban.com.au.
Last updated on 01 Jul 2021