Low start predicted for general security water users

May 16, 2025

Potential opening water allocations for the 2025-26 irrigation season have been released for NSW Murray.

NSW Murray irrigators are facing a very low opening allocation for general security water users for the 2025-26 season.

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The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released its outlook for the potential opening water allocations for the 2025-26 irrigation season, to be announced on July 1.

In the NSW Murray system, the department says:

Maximum (100 per cent) allocation can be expected for towns, domestic and stock access licences, and sub-category high security entitlements.
Allocation to high security (excluding sub-categories) will likely be 97 per cent of entitlement.
Current average general security balance is 45 per cent, but individual balances may vary. Individuals can carryover their closing balances up to 50 per cent of their entitlements.
Current assessment is predicting very low opening allocation for general security water users. The allocation will be subject to inflow and losses to June 30 and any forfeiture of allocated water on July 1.
Full allocations for supplementary access licence holders can be expected and is available subject to announced periods of supplementary access.

Potential improvements in general security allocations are dependent on inflows into storages. In an average year, this could mean a 17 per cent allocation by September 1 and 39 per cent by November 1.

If it continues to be dry, it could be nine per cent and 19 per cent respectively; but if the weather hits ‘very dry’ or ‘extreme’ status, the allocation could be as low as five per cent.