WATER. It’s the lifeblood of the region, and Goulburn Valley Water has recently published its Annual Water Outlook, offering a comprehensive analysis of the region’s water supply and demand for the next two years. The report details the complex interplay of climate patterns, water storage levels, and usage trends within our community.
The outlook is largely positive, with the region’s water supplies projected to remain secure in the short-term. This is largely due to the contributions of the Goulburn and Murray River systems, which boast significant water storages managed by Goulburn Murray Water and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
However, the report also notes the increasing variability of Victoria’s climate, with a drying trend and rising temperatures expected to lead to more frequent and severe droughts in the future. These changes may affect the water availability in our region, despite the current security of our supply systems.
The towns that rely on rainfall-dependent rivers, including Woods Point, Strathbogie, Merrijig, Sawmill Settlement, and Yea, are not expected to face water restrictions in the next year. The same holds true for towns with Goulburn Valley Water storages, such as Broadford-Kilmore, Euroa, and Violet Town, among others.
The report also includes a climate outlook for the first quarter of 2024, indicating a warmer start to the year with average to drier rainfall conditions. This forecast, provided by Agriculture Victoria, underscores the need for continued vigilance and careful water management in the face of changing climate patterns.
