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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Department of Water and Energy Date: 1 July 2009 COMMENCING WATER ALLOCATIONS FOR THE NAMOI VALLEY The Department of Water and Energy today announced Available Water Determinations (AWD) for the Upper Namoi and Lower Namoi Regulated River, for the new 2009-2010 water year commencing on 1 July 2009. Local water utility and stock and domestic licence holders will receive 100 per cent of entitlement and high security licence holders will receive 1 megalitre per share unit. Good rainfall contributed to the storage capacities at both Keepit and Split Rock dams over the catchment area during the summer months. Keepit Dam has increased significantly to around 160,000 megalitres, an improvement on the same time last year, providing an increase of 64,500 megalitres. The initial allocation for general security licence holders will be zero for Lower Namoi water users, although all carry over water will be available. As the current total storage capacity at Split Rock Dam is above 5 per cent, this will allow 100 per cent allocation to town water supply and stock and domestic water users and 1 megalitre per share unit for high security licence holders. In the Upper Namoi the allocation for general security licence holders will commence at a 0.5 megalitre per share unit, and all carry-over water will be available. In the Lower Namoi the initial allocation for supplementary licence holders is 1 megalitre per share unit. The allocations announced will enable water users to plan their operations over the coming year. Good rainfall patterns over the summer months provided Namoi farmers with some relief by replenishing soil moisture and lessening the need for irrigation water. The prospect of receiving good rainfall has now deteriorated with the Bureau of Meteorology stating that La Nina is now neutral and is expected to persist until mid winter. The Department of Water and Energy will continue to closely monitor the situation and make regular announcements as new resources become available. Additional information on AWDs is available on the Department’s website: www.dwe.nsw.gov.au Alternatively, licence holders can phone their local DWE office for more information.
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