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National Water Account 2016

        

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Northern Australia regions: Overview

Climate and Water

January-March 2016 rainfall compared to historical records (1900–2015) for northern australia

January–March 2016 rainfall compared to historical records (1900–2015)

 

  • In 2015–16, climate was influenced by strong El Niño conditions contributing to below average annual rainfall across much of northern Australia.
  • Rainfall during January–March, typically the wettest part of the year, was below average for the Daly and Ord regions and mostly average for the Burdekin region.
  • A large storm event during 25–26 December 2015 in the lower Daly region caused major flooding in the Daly river. This was the biggest flood since February 1998.

 

Percentage-full volume during 1 July 2015-30 June 2016 for Burdekin and Ord storages

Percentage-full volume during 1 July 2013–30 June 2016 for Burdekin and Ord storages

 

  • In the Ord region, the normal filling and spilling of the storages during the wet season did not occur due to the below average rainfall.
  • In the Daly region, below average rainfall during the typically wettest months of the year contributed to a decrease in aquifer storage, the fourth consecutive annual drop in aquifer storage for the region.

 

Water availability

Water allocations and abstractions in the Burdekin, Daly and Ord regions for 2015–16

Water allocations and abstractions in the Burdekin, Daly and Ord regions for 2015–16

  • Total water allocations were similar to the previous year at 1,772,700 ML: 52% of allocated water was abstracted.

 

Water sources and supply

Total water sourced in the Burdekin, Daly and Ord regions for 2015–16

Total water sourced in the Burdekin, Daly and Ord regions for 2015–16

 

  • Total water sourced across the northern regions was 1,143,970 ML. This was 6% less than the previous year, which is largely due to increased rainfall in the Burdekin region that decreased users' reliance on surface water for irrigation.
  • Surface water resources accounted for 90% of total water use across Northern Australia regions. However for the Daly region groundwater is the primary water source, accounting for 77%.

 

Users of water in the Burdekin, Daly and Ord region for 2015–16

Users of water in the Burdekin, Daly and Ord region for 2015–16

 

  • Approximately 60% of total water supply was used for irrigation schemes; 39% was for individual users, primarily for agricultural purposes.
  • Less than 1% was used for town water supply.