SA River Murray irrigation allocation projection for 2026-27 remains at 62 per cent
The projected minimum opening water allocations for South Australian River Murray irrigators remains at 62 per cent at the start of the 2026-27 water year.
Since the initial projection announcement on April 15, rainfall across the Murray-Darling Basin and inflows into Basin storages were not high enough to result in any increase to projected allocations at this stage.
Under the water allocation plan (WAP) for the South Australian River Murray, which was developed in partnership with irrigators and other stakeholders, allocations are made on a deliberately conservative basis ‒ to avoid allocations going backwards over a water year.
Improvements in irrigation allocations for 2026-27 are likely, with most inflows historically occurring between July and October each year.
However, there are no guarantees of improved water availability ‒ with the three-month Bureau of Meteorology outlook indicating that rainfall is likely to be below average for parts of the Murray- Darling Basin.
The actual opening minimum allocation announcement for 2026-27 will occur on June 15.
As the projected minimum opening allocation for 2026-27 is greater than 50 per cent, irrigators will not be eligible to carryover any unused allocation volumes from 2025-26 into 2026-27. This is consistent with the rules in the WAP.
For more information visit the Department for Environment and Water’s website and the Murray- Darling Basin Authority website.
