National Overview: Water availability
Water allocations decreased in the Murray–Darling Basin in response to lower water availability. Entitlements increased in the Ord region due to the expansion of the Ord River Irrigation Area.
Surface water access entitlements, allocations and diversions for the years ending 30 June 2014 and 2015
- Various systems of entitlements and allocations are used in the regions to manage competing demands for water (see the 'Water access and use' notes in each region account for more information).
- Surface water allocations in the Murray–Darling Basin decreased from 65% to 58% of the entitlement indicating lower water availability.
- Entitlements increased in the Ord region due to a new licence being issued for farming in the expanded Ord River Irrigation Area.
Groundwater access entitlements, allocations and extractions for the years ending 30 June 2014 and 2015
- Groundwater allocations in the Murray–Darling Basin were at 91% of the entitlement indicating high groundwater availability.
- Groundwater extractions were generally between 20–60% of the entitlement, except for Perth where the majority of extractions are not measured and are assumed equal to the licence holders’ allocations.
- Allocations increased in the Adelaide, Burdekin and Melbourne regions due to the availability of licence data for individual users not reported in previous years.