Future prospects

Figure S8 Water outlook for the Burdekin region for 2018–19 

• Outflows and discharges from the region's storages are expected to exceed inflows, which is likely to result in a decrease in water assets at the end of the year.

Expected inflows

• The next few months (November–January) are usually when about 40% of the region's annual rainfall occurs. According to the Bureau of Meteorology's climate outlook (from 25 October 2018), El Niño is likely to develop before the end of the year, which typically results in below-average wet season rainfall for northern Australia.
• Sea surface temperatures across northern Australia have been average to cooler than average during the early part of the 2018–19 year. These conditions can also lead to reduced rainfall over the next few months as less moisture in the atmosphere is available for rain-bearing weather systems.
• Inflows into the region's rivers for the 2018–19 year, particularly during the November–January period, are expected to be below average.

Future commitments

• Water use is expected to increase in 2018–19 and lower wet season rainfall may increase users' reliance on water sourced directly from surface water and groundwater stores.