Murray water allocations hit 31pc

The latest rise follows a series of increases since April, when irrigators were warned opening allocations could be as low as 14pc. In mid-May this figure was revised to a 22pc forecast, before the figure was revised again to 26pc about a fortnight ago.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs remains cautiously optimistic that allocations will continue to rise as the year progresses.

"Based on information provided to me by the Department for Environment and Water, and the slow but consistent increase we've seen since March, I remain hopeful we'll see further increases as the winter in-flow season progresses," Mr Speirs said.

The allocation increase has been made based on the latest advice from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

"However, we're not ignoring the Bureau of Meteorology's long-term weather outlook, which continues to predict warmer and drier than average conditions across the Murray-Darling Basin over the next few months," Mr Speirs said.

"It's very much a wait-and-see scenario at the moment, but we'll be monitoring the situation closely and DEW will provide revised statements on a fortnightly basis while we remain below 100 per cent water allocation."

Based on climate conditions across the three decades and present water resource conditions, the government says there is a 90 per cent likelihood that water allocations will reach at least 91pc in 2019-20.

The 31pc allocation announcement was made on the same day as the Murray-Darling Basin Plan reached a milestone, with long-term sustainable diversion limits coming into effect across the Basin.

These sustainable diversion limits set out how much water can be taken from the basin and how much is required for the environment.

"Today, sustainable diversion limits take effect throughout the Basin and from now all states will need to ensure key accountability and transparency requirements under the Basin Plan are in place," Mr Speirs said.

"This means water for the environment and will benefit South Australian communities and the health of our river.

"There is real progress on a range of fronts, including the recent announcement by the federal government for $129 million for funding for constraints projects which are aimed at ensuring environmental water can be better managed and can water more wetlands and floodplains."