SA River Murray irrigators have been told to plan for low water availability with a minimum opening allocation of two per cent projected for the 2020-21 water year.
This is only a projected minimum opening allocation to help irrigators prepare for the year ahead, with the actual opening allocation to be advised on June 15.
Latest rainfall outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology is looking more positive, which increases the prospects of improvements to water allocations as the year progresses.
In recognition of low water availability and industry feedback, the state government has changed the rules around carryover which will allow irrigators to carryover any eligible unused allocations across multiple years, up to an entitlement volume of 20pc.
Water Minister David Speirs said the projected opening allocation is a "very conservative" starting point.
"Due to continuing dry conditions across much of the Basin, water flowing into the River Murray system in 2019-20 has been about one-third of the long-term average resulting in a low projected minimum opening allocation," he said.
"The state government made a strong commitment to provide water users with more timely and accurate information around water availability to help with business planning. This is especially important in years when water allocations are likely to be restricted at the outset.
"It's important to remember this is only a projected minimum opening allocation and water allocations will be updated regularly and if conditions improve, allocations will rise.
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"In response to industry feedback, our government has modified carryover rules to help irrigators manage their allocations across multiple dry years.
"The rules change applies from July 1 and will give irrigators more flexibility and help with decision making around future water use."
The Department for Environment and Water's River Murray Water delivery manager Jarrod Eaton said water storages across the Murray-Darling Basin were low.
"The current volume in MDB Authority controlled storages (2726GL) is well below the end of March figure from last year (3282GL), and significantly below the long-term average end of March figure (5505GL)," he said.
"The current volume is one the key factors in determining the minimum opening allocation.
"It is likely therefore that this year, all basin states, including SA, will receive much lower allocations of water at the start of the 2020-21 water year.
"Projections are updated on a monthly basis until the start of the new water year. Once the new water year has commenced, updates are provided on a fortnightly basis based on advice provided by the MDB Authority until such time as allocations reach 100pc."
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