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Media Release - Department of Water and Energy Date: 1 July 2008 CARRYOVER INCREASED TO 30 PER CENT IN THE MURRUMBIDGEE VALLEY NSW Minister for Water, Nathan Rees today announced a permanent change to the general security carryover rules for licensed water users in the Murrumbidgee Valley. Carryover for general security entitlements in the Murrumbidgee Valley will be increased from 15 per cent to 30 per cent of entitlement. This will apply to carryover from the 2008/09 water year to the 2009/2010 water year. While above-average widespread rainfall has occurred along the majority of the eastern sea-board since June 2007, many parts of New South Wales are still suffering under the grip of the longest and most severe drought in recorded history. With today’s announcements that allocations in the Murrumbidgee Valley will be zero for both high and general security users, there is a need to look at solutions that allow licence holders the flexibility to manage under these difficult circumstances. Where possible the NSW Government wishes to encourage policy that allows water users to self-insure their water security and carryover is an important tool to provide such insurance. This change will give irrigators the opportunity to better plan their risk profiles and manage the effects of potentially lower allocations as a result of climate change. This move also brings the Murrumbidgee Valley rules closer to those in the Murray Valley and will help to reduce any potential market advantage that there might be.   MEDIA CONTACTS: Department of Water and Energy Frances Wood (02) 8281 7461 or 0437 596 103 Level 17, 227 Elizabeth St, SYDNEY NSW 2000 GPO Box 3889, Sydney NSW 2001 Facsimile (02) 8281 7450 Top of Page List of Media Releases © NSW Department of Natural Resources