Urban regions: Overview
Climate and Water
Rainfall across southern Australia during July 2015–May 2016 and June 2016 compared with historical records (1900–2015)
- In 2015–16, climate was influenced by strong El Niño conditions contributing to below-average annual rainfall across Australia for most of the year.
- In June 2016, east coast lows brought large amounts of rainfall across southeastern Australia.
- In some areas, rainfall over 5–6 June 2016 was greater than a 1-in-50-year event.
Percentage-full volume during 1 July 2013–30 June 2016 for urban region storages
- In Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, inflows into storages were less than previous years due to the dry conditions.
- In Sydney and Canberra storage levels increased above the previous year due to rainfall associated with the east coast low event in early June 2016.
Water availability
Water allocations and abstractions in the urban regions for 2015–16
- Total water allocations of 3,526,800 ML were similar to the previous year.
- 60% of allocated water was abstracted.
Water sources and supply
Total water sourced in the urban regions for 2015–16
- Total water sourced by the urban regions was 2,473,800 ML, marginally more than the previous year.
- In Canberra, South East Queensland and Sydney, surface water is the dominant source of water.
- In Adelaide and Melbourne, half the water supply was sourced from inter-region deliveries.
- In Perth, groundwater and desalinated water supply increased due to low surface water availability.
Users of water in the urban centres for the 2015–16 year
- 73% of total water supply was used for the urban water system.
- 25% was used for individual users including the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.
- In contrast more than half of Perth’s water supply was for individual users, primarily for agricultural use.
Urban water use
Water sources and volumes for urban centres for years 30 June 2012–30 June 2016
- Except for Canberra and Melbourne, urban water supply was similar to the previous year.
- Water supply to the Canberra and Melbourne urban water systems increased by more than 6% from last year.
- In Adelaide and Melbourne, inter-region supply increased mitigating the poor storage inflows in these regions.
- In Perth, the desalination plants operated near capacity and provided almost half of the urban water supply.