The Richmond catchment has continued to receive rainfall since November, raising storage levels. Inflows have been consistent since the start of 2009 with the dam currently at 100 per cent capacity.

The continuing rainfall over recent years had seen the maintenance of full allocations, while the favourable coastal rain patterns have resulted in storage levels staying near capacity.

Most off creek storages are also full, providing added security for irrigators and providing plentiful water for stock.

This provides some certainty for farmers who utilise the waters from Toonumbar Dam to plan their agricultural activities for the coming year.

Water users in the water sharing plan areas of the Upper Brunswick River, Coopers Creek, Bellinger River, Dorrigo Plateau, Toorumbee Creek, Apsley River and Commissioners Waters, as well as the Alstonville Plateau and Stuarts Point Groundwater sources, have also received full allocations for the next 12 months.

The Department will continue to review water use and availability in planning for future seasons.

Additional information on AWDs is available on the Department’s website at www.dwe.nsw.gov.au Alternatively; licence holders can phone the Department’s Murwillumbah office on 6676 7380 for more information.