National Water Account 2017

National overview

Storage volumes in the Murray–Darling Basin increased for the first time since 2012.
Total water use was 14,794 GL, almost 15% more than last year.
Most of the water use was for irrigation and agricultural purposes.
Water supply to urban regions was about 2,480 GL, similar to last year.

Rainfall across Australia during July 2016–June 2017 compared with historical records (1911–2017)

Well above-average annual rainfall occurred in the Ord and Daly regions due to several tropical low-pressure systems over northwestern Australia.
During September–October 2016, the climate was influenced by a negative Indian Ocean Dipole phase that contributed to high rainfall across southeastern Australia.
In March 2017, ex-tropical cyclone Debbie brought heavy rainfall to the South East Queensland and Burdekin regions.

Percentage-full volume at 30 June 2017 for region storages compared to the previous year

In the Murray–Darling Basin region, storage volumes increased from 39% to 69% full, the first annual increase in storage since 2012.
In the urban regions across southeastern Australia, heavy rainfall and high streamflows during September–October 2016 contributed to an annual increase in storage volumes.
In the Ord region, the heavy wet season rainfall caused storage volumes to exceed 100% full in late-January and continue spilling for the remainder of the year.
Storage volumes in South East Queensland and Sydney dropped despite heavy rainfall and high streamflows in March 2017.

Water allocations and abstractions in the regions for 2016–17 compared with 2015–16

Total water allocation was 21,443 GL, more than 20% higher than last year.
The increase in allocation reflects the increased water availability and wetter conditions experienced across the Murray–Darling Basin region.
Across all regions, 54% of allocated water was abstracted, compared to 60% last year.

Total water sourced in the regions for 2016–17 compared with 2015–16

Total water sourced by the regions was 14,794 GL, almost 15% higher than last year.
The higher water use reflects the increased water availability across the Murray–Darling Basin region.
Surface water made up 85% of total water supply and was the dominant source of water in all regions except for Perth and Daly.
Inter-region water supply decreased from the previous year, reflecting the decreased reliance on water deliveries into Adelaide and Melbourne due to the wetter conditions.

Users of water in the regions for the 2016–17 year

72% of water supply was used for irrigation, industry and other uses.
14% was supplied for urban use and 14% was for environmental purposes to support the health of rivers and wetlands.
Four of the ten regions—Burdekin, Daly, Murray–Darling Basin and Ord—are primarily agricultural; the remaining six regions are dominated by urban water use.

Water sources and volumes for urban centres for years 30 June 2012–30 June 2017

In all urban regions, urban water supply was similar to, or marginally less than, the previous year.
In Adelaide and Melbourne, inter-region transfers from the Murray River and Thomson Reservoir respectively were the lowest in several years; surface water contribution was the highest in several years.
In Perth, desalinated water provided more than half of the urban water supply.
Desalinated water production commenced at Melbourne's Wonthaggi Desalination Plant based on an order made last year when surface water stores were low.

Interstate trade allocation activity (in ML) in the Murray–Darling Basin region in 2016–17

The Murray–Darling Basin accounts for more than 95% of surface water entitlement trade and almost all of the allocation trade in the National Water Account.
The volume of trade in surface water allocations in the region was 6,649 GL, a 24% increase from the previous year.
South Australia was a net importer of allocation water, while New South Wales and Victoria were net exporters, which is similar to the previous 3 years.