ABOVE average rainfall received in Coliban Water’s catchment storages is the highest rainfall level in 15 years.
Figures released yesterday show that 799 millimetres was recorded for the 2009-10 financial year — 10 per cent more than the long-term average of 724mm.
Managing director Gavin Hanlon said the rainfall received together with the conservative allocation approach taken by the corporation had enabled an improvement in the overall storage position for the region.
“Our conservative approach has improved our overall water position, and at the same time we have eased water restrictions in 24 of our 49 towns,” Mr Hanlon said.
The Coliban catchment storages, near Malmsbury, supply Castlemaine and Kyneton areas and were holding 22 per cent capacity yesteday, ensuring two years of supply in reserve.
“Since July 2009, we have seen a 148 per cent improvement, with these storages now holding 16,536 megalitres compared with 6668 megalitres 12 months ago,” Mr Hanlon said
“These storages have received inflows for the last 13 consecutive weeks, which is the best start we have had to an inflow season for a long time.”
Even with the above average rainfall received, inflows to the Coliban storages over the past 12 months were still 29 per cent below the 10-year average and 73 per cent below the historical average inflow of 61,300 megalitres.
“We will continue to closely monitor inflows over the coming months to determine the possibility of a general allocation for our rural customers and easing restrictions for the Castlemaine and Kyneton areas this coming summer,” Mr Hanlon said.
Bendigo’s outlook is also looking positive. A total of 18,513 megalitres is now held in Lake Eppalock, an increase of 6995 megalitres from the start of the 2009-10 financial year.
This is largely due to the Goldfields Superpipe. Coliban’s share of Lake Eildon, which supplies the Goulburn system, is holding 13,281 megalitres.
“Bendigo and surrounding areas are currently supplied solely from the Goulburn system via the Goldfields Superpipe.
“Our strategy has always been to steadily build our water reserve to underpin future water security and ease restrictions when responsible to do so,” Mr Hanlon said.
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