The Murray–Darling Basin region

Annual rainfall across the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) region was generally well above average for the year. Some areas, both in the northern and southern basins, recorded their highest annual rainfall on record, Resulting high inflows due to these rainfall conditions have contributed to the volume of water held in storages increasing by 2,055,733ML. Closing net water assets in the MDB region was 22,269,547 ML, compared to 17,422,866 ML at the end of the 2011–12 year. For more information on the region's water assets refer to Water accounting statements.

Surface water provided approximately 91% of the water supply requirements within the region, an increase of approximately 2,231,602 ML from the previous year. The volume of groundwater extracted for water supply during the year was 810,060 ML, an increase of approximately 300,000 ML from the previous year. The increased reliance on surface water during the year was due to the abundance of surface water resources available for water supply during the year. The increased groundwater extraction was due to the abundance of groundwater resources resulting from increased recharge of aquifers in recent years.   

Temporary water trade (allocation trade) during the 2011–12 year was 4,104,354 ML, an increase of 21% from the previous year. Although there are many influencing factors for the trades, the abundance of surface water resources resulting in increased water availability for temporary water trade is a key contributing factor for the increased temporary trade. The volume of surface water entitlements permanently traded (intra-valley) within the region was 1,103,626 ML, a 21% increase from the previous year.

The key water account information for the MDB region is presented in the following table. Information on the uncertainty associated with the volumes presented in the table is provided in the relevant sections of the account.

Key water account information for the MDB region during the 2011–12 year

Contextual information: Climate overview

	2011–12	2010–11	Long–term average (1900–2011)
	Rainfall: 643 mm	Rainfall: 779 mm	Rainfall: 472 mm
	Evapotranspiration: 559 mm	Evapotranspiration: 710 mm	Evapotranspiration: 421 mm
For more detail on the MDB climate refer to Climate overview.

Contextual information: Water overview

	Murray River at Doctors Point (Albury)	Darling River at Bourke	Ovens River at Peechelba
	Close to mean annual flow	Well above mean annual flow	Above mean annual flow
For more detail on streamflow in the MDB region refer to Water overview.

Water accounting statements

		2011–12	2010–11
	Total water assets as at 30 June (ML)	29,271,923	24,205,367
	Total water liabilities as at 30 June (ML)	7,002,376	6,782,501
	Change in net water assets (ML)	4,846,681	8,602,251
	Closing net water assets (ML)	22,269,547	17,422,866
For more detail on water assets and water liabilities refer to Water accounting statements.

Notes: Water resources and systems

Surface water storage

		30 June 2012		30 June 2011
	Total capacity	Volume	% of capacity	Volume	% of capacity
	23,117,840 ML	21,187,196 ML	91.6%	19,131,462 ML	90.3%
For more detail on surface water in the MDB region refer to Surface water.

Water abstractions

	Total water abstracted
	2011–12	2010–11	Recent activity
	Surface water: 8,604,894 ML	Surface water: 6,373,212 ML	Increased surface water and groundwater abstraction
	Groundwater: 810,060 ML	Groundwater: 511,000 ML
For more detail on the water abstraction in the MDB region refer to Surface water and Groundwater.

Urban water supply

	Total water supplied
	2011–12	2010–11	Recent activity
	315,077 ML	298,358 ML	Increased abstraction for urban water systems
For more detail on the urban water supplied in the MDB region refer to Surface Water and Groundwater.

Surface water trade

	Volume traded
	2011–12	2010–11	Recent activity
	Entitlement: 1,103,626 ML	Entitlement : 914,000 ML	Increased allocation and entitlement trade
	Allocation: 4,104,354 ML	Allocation: 3,385,000 ML
For more detail on surface water trade in the MDB region refer to Water market activity.