Storage access provisions: constraints and opportunities
Project details
| Objective: |
To review the extent and nature of carryover and similar provisions, and their effectiveness in delivering more flexible inter-seasonal access to water held in storages. |
| Funding: |
$280 000 |
| Jurisdiction: |
National |
| Commenced: |
July 2010 |
| Completion: | November 2011 |
About the project
Demand for more flexible access to water allocations is growing due to increased variability of water supply. Water entitlement holders want to be able to carryover unused water allocations from one season to the next to assist planning and manage risk.
The implementation of provisions for carryover is inconsistent within and between jurisdictions, and it is unclear whether current approaches are sufficient to manage increasing demand. This project will compare current approaches and identify possible areas for reform.
This national project will review the extent and nature of carryover and similar provisions, and their effectiveness in delivering more flexible inter-seasonal access to water held in storages.
Historically, surface water systems implemented a 'use it or lose it' approach to seasonal water allocations. Consequently, unused water could not be stored by entitlement holders and carried over for use in future seasons. This can inhibit the ability to manage supply risk.
New South Wales, Victoria South Australia and Queensland have introduced different approaches to allowing inter-seasonal access to water. Some approaches allow entitlement holders, including environmental water holders, to hold unused water allocations in storage from one season to the next.
Approaches are inconsistent between and within jurisdictions - in administrative, policy and regulatory arrangements. This project will compare current approaches, and assess the merits of alternative approaches, including the costs and benefits.
Project benefits
More effective carryover mechanisms have the potential to:
- enhance flexibility, security and risk management in irrigated agriculture and for urban and bulk entitlement holders
- increase the capacity for environmental water holders to meet environmental watering requirements.
Project outcomes
With the publication of Waterlines 65 - Water allocation systems: exploring opportunities for reform this project is complete.