VICTORIA’S storages are at the highest levels they have been in nine years thanks to good falls across the state.
However, after another year of significantly below average rainfall, the Mallee will need sustained rainfall for local farms and communities to fully recover.
Murray and Goulburn storages were at 95 per cent and 88 per cent.
In each of these systems irrigators have received 100 per cent allocations for their high-reliability water shares with limited or no restrictions expected for licence holders.
Goulburn-Murray Water was now building reserves for seasonal determinations in 2022-23.
There were strong storage levels in most catchments with Bendigo at 100 per cent compared to 78 per cent in 2019.
Water Minister Lisa Neville said Melbourne’s storages were also healthy at 90 per cent, supported by water from the desalination plant, which had contributed to more than 20 per cent of the water supply.
The statewide storage levels were at 88 per cent, with the wetter-than-average outlook meant no water restrictions were expected for any Victorian city or town over the next 12 months.
“Thanks to the desalination plant our water storages are currently healthy, but we know we have to do more into the future, including saving water and providing extra supply through recycling water and using stormwater,” Ms Neville said.
