SA: No change for irrigators in SA until at least July

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2009
SA: No change for irrigators in SA until at least July

ADELAIDE, April 15 AAP - Irrigators along the River Murray in South Australia will
get no increase in water allocations during the current financial year as the drought
persists.

The state government said on Wednesday allocations would remain at 18 per cent until
at least the end of June.

River Murray Minister Karlene Maywald said only 40 gigalitres flowed into the Murray-Darling
system in March, which meant there would be no increase in the amount of water available
to SA.

"Inflow conditions have continued to deteriorate since the end of last year due to
low rainfall and above average temperatures," the minister said.

"Last month's inflows were very close to our worst-case scenario predictions while
January and February inflows were slightly below the previous historical minimum inflows.

"Given the extremely dry catchment there will be no increase in irrigation allocations
for the rest of 2008-09."

Ms Maywald said water allocations would continue to be reviewed on the 15th of each month.

AAP tjd/sn

KEYWORD: MURRAY SA

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