South Australian River Murray water allocations will open at the full 100 per cent for the 2021-22 water year.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said with favourable conditions across the Murray Darling Basin and good levels of water in storage, irrigators can commence the new water year on 1 July with 100 per cent allocation.
"This is great news for the state's irrigators as it means they can begin the new water year with confidence and plan their business with the knowledge they will have access to 100 per cent allocation from day one," Minister Speirs said.
"Today's announcement is a positive turnaround from last year when widespread dry conditions saw opening allocations start at only 40 per cent.
"What we've experienced over summer is relatively mild conditions followed by decent rainfall across the Basin.
"This has seen water in storages at a level much higher than we've had in June in recent years, including significant inflows into the Menindee Lakes, allowing us to start the 2021-22 water year in great shape."
Minister Speirs said as part of the Marshall Liberal Government's commitment to providing early advice to help irrigators manage their water, DEW has launched the SA River Murray Water Calculator.
"I encourage the state's irrigators to access the calculator and see how it may be able to help with their business planning," Minister Speirs said.
"Providing early advice and business tools like the calculator allows irrigators to make informed investment decisions around what they'll do with their crops and perennial plantings, and manage business certainty."
For more information visit: www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/river-murray
