100% GROUNDWATER ENTITLEMENT FOR BURDEKIN IRRIGATORS

Irrigators in the Burdekin area would have a 100% groundwater entitlement for the 2007-08 water year after a better-than-average wet season, Water Minister Craig Wallace announced today.

Mr Wallace said the seasonal re-charge to groundwater aquifers had boosted water levels, and some areas had recorded an increase in water levels compared to the same time last year.

“An entitlement of 100 percent for all management sub-areas will allow maximum beneficial use of the resource while maintaining the integrity of the aquifer,” Mr Wallace said.

“Irrigators within the declared area who may require a volume of water additional to their annual entitlement have the opportunity to apply for an interim water permit.

“These growers should contact the local NRW office for more information on the water-permit guidelines.”

Mr Wallace said the announced water entitlements applied to irrigation and industrial use only.

“Pumping for stock water and household use is not subject to the announced entitlements,” Mr Wallace said.

The Burdekin Groundwater Management Area covers the groundwater aquifers in the Burdekin River, Barratta Creek and Haughton River alluviums within the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme area.

The term ‘announced entitlement’ refers to the percentage of a water user’s nominal entitlement within a water year. NRW calculates and announces this figure before the start of each water year.

The Lower Burdekin area has had a slightly better-than-average wet season with 632.4mm recorded from January – March 2007 compared with a long-term average of 582.6mm for this period.

Water levels were measured in early June 2007 when calculating the level of this year’s announced allocation.

This data showed water levels were generally above the levels measured at the same time in 2006.

Media contact: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’ office on 3896 3694 or 0414 213 954.