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National Water Account 2017

Burdekin: Outlook for 2018 Account

as at 1 June 2018

Wet season rainfall was below average in 2017–18 and less than the 2016–17 year, which may contribute to a decrease in the region's surface water storage. Water use is expected to increase compared to the previous year, particularly in the irrigation areas.

 

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For further information on the outlook for the region during the 2017–18 year scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

 

Future prospects

Figure S8 Water outlook for the Burdekin region for 2017–18 

Figure S8 Water outlook for the Burdekin region for 2017–18

 

  • There is a surplus of available water assets and future water rights over water liabilities and future water commitments that are expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date.

 

Expected inflows

Figure S9 Rainfall deciles for the Burdekin region from July 2017 to May 2018

Figure S9 Rainfall deciles for the Burdekin region from July 2017–May 2018

 

  • Rainfall was average to below average across most of the region during the first 11 months of the 2017–18 year (July–May), including very low rainfall over the southwestern portion of the region. Storages were 98% full at 1 June 2018 compared to 101% full at the same time last year.
  • The expected inflows for 2017–18 may be similar to the 2015–16 year, a period when similar below-average rainfall conditions were experienced across the region.

 

Future commitments

  • 2017–18 wet season rainfall was less than last year, which usually means users will have an increased reliance on water sourced direct from surface water and groundwater stores.

 

Contingent water assets

  • The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines sets extraction limits on groundwater aquifers to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and only water above the prescribed minimum water-table level is recognised as a water asset in the account.
  • The volume of water that is beyond this extraction limit is considered a contingent water asset for aquifers in the region; however, similar to the recognition of groundwater assets, there is currently not enough information available regarding groundwater resources in the Burdekin region to allow for a volumetric estimate.