Talking Water - Tuesday 27 June, 2023

This week's contents

Operations

• Closing today - internal transfers and Customer Portal access
• Trade and Water Exchange open dates
• Barmah Choke trade
• Winter Works progress update
• Talking Water data to 27 June

Business

• Fixed and variable fees and charges

Industry

• 2023 Cattle industry projections
• Stock Management Area workshops
• Grazing Clinic
  

Operational Update

Reminder: Internal transfers and Customer Portal access close today

• Tuesday 27 June, 5.00pm - Internal transfers to / from Murray Irrigation landholdings close. 

• Tuesday 27 June, 5.00pm - Customer Portal access closes. 
  

Opening of 2023-24 Trade and Water Exchange

At 7.00am on Saturday 1 July 2023, the Water Exchange (WEX) and Customer Portal will re-open. 

You will then be able to purchase, sell, and transfer temporary water and delivery entitlements online via your Customer Portal. 

Any allocation announced by the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) will be applied to your water allocation account following the announcement. 

Barmah Choke Trade - 1 July 2023

Murray Irrigation will accept applications on WaterNSW Barmah Choke trade forms from 9.00am on Thursday 29 June 2023.

This follows WaterNSW advice that it will accept Barmah Choke trade applications from 12.00pm on Friday 30 June 2023 and will enable our processing prior to this time on a Barmah Choke trading form. 

The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), which manages the Barmah Choke, advised on 13 April 2023  that the opening trade balance on 1 July 2023 will be approximately 60.6 gigalitres (GL). 

Winter Works progress reporting

Our maintenance works are on schedule, despite the rain. 

As of this morning, Tuesday 27 June, more than 45.6% of the 1,965 work orders in maintenance areas have been completed, with 1,069 remaining. 

The map below shows the work orders to be completed this year in the maintenance areas, including status of the works as of Monday 26 June. 

Works on the Mulwala Canal, upstream of the Drop are now complete. Murray Irrigation will commence re-filling to the Drop today. 

Access tracks may get damaged due to rain but will be rectified at the completion of the winter works when conditions have dried enough to enable the work to be done. 

If you have queries, would like a site tour, or want to know more, please contact Customer Operations on 1300 138 265 or customersupport@murrayirrigation.com.au in the first instance. 

Performing our winter works safely and with as little disruption as possible to our customers is our highest aim. 

Talking Water data  27/06/2023

All the detailed data for Murray Irrigation allocations, delivery, channel flow and Water Exchange temporary trade data is available on our company web page below. 



To see the latest data for Murray system storages and rivers, visit the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's River data page. 

Business Update

Fixed and variable fees and charges

A friendly reminder that Murray Irrigation’s fixed and variable fees and charges will increase from 1 July 2023.

This year's increase, approved by the Board of Directors, are as follows:

1. An increase of 10% (of which 7% comprises CPI) to all fixed and variable charges (other than annual outlet fees).

2. Outlet fees (Other than Stock and Domestic outlets) will increase by 40%. This equates to an average of $426 per outlet per annum.

Please find below Murray Irrigation’s Schedule of Charges and Schedule of Standard Service Fees for 2023/24:

• Annexure A to the Fees and Prices Policy - Schedule of Charges

• Annexure B to the Fees and Prices Policy - Schedule of Standard Service Fees 

Industry News

Australia's cattle herd reaches highest level in a decade

Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) June 2023 Cattle industry projections have been released.

Key points:

• The national herd continues to grow, reaching 28.7m head, its highest level in a decade.
• Cattle slaughter is forecast to rise strongly from 2022 lows as processing capacity improves.
• Production forecast to increase strongly in 2023.

Stock Management Area Workshops

The Irrigated Cropping Council is running two free local stock management area workshops this week:

• Wednesday, June 28 at Lindifferon
• Thursday June 29 at Bunnaloo.

The focus of these workshops is on improving farmers resilience to drought, maintaining stock health, and preserving pasture.