INCREASED WATER ALLOCATIONS FOR BUNDABERG IRRIGATORS

Bundaberg irrigators on the Burnett River will receive a much-needed boost to their announced water allocations today thanks to recent inflows into Paradise and Fred Haigh dams.

Water Minister Craig Wallace said today around 70,000 megalitres of inflow had been received into dam catchments over the past two weeks, prompting SunWater to review current water allocations.

“SunWater advise me that Medium Priority water allocations for irrigators in the Burnett section of the Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme will be raised to 40% from the current 26%,” Mr Wallace said.

“Allocations for irrigators in the Kolan section will now be increased to 100%, up from 92%.

“These increases could not have come at a better time for the many Burnett River irrigators who have been struggling after the traditional wet season rains failed to arrive last Summer to replenish the region’s dams.

“The additional water will put our Burnett River farmers in a much better position than they were in at the start of the Water Year in July,” he said.

Mr Wallace said Paradise Dam was currently at 57.2% capacity and holding 171,788 megalitres - its highest storage level since commissioning in December 2005.

Fred Haigh Dam is currently holding 204,380 megalitres and is at 36.4% capacity.

Mr Wallace said SunWater customers would be formally advised of the increase over the next few days.

Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688.