IRRIGATORS along the SA River Murray will start 2023-24 with 100 per cent water allocations, the third consecutive year they've had full allocations to start the financial year.
River Murray system storages have benefitted from the floods, with major dams at 90pc capacity, which is 26pc above the long-term average for the end of June.
While the River Murray Water Allocation Plan was recently changed to improve access to private carryover, carryover will not be available in 2023-24 due to the full opening allocation.
Water Minister Susan Close said the full opening allocation was much-needed good news for irrigators following issues caused by recent flooding.
She said her government was continuing to support communities impacted by flooding through grants and other initiatives.
"We will also keep fighting for the implementation of the Basin Plan in full including delivery of the additional 450 gigalitres of environmental water agreed to in 2012," Dr Close said.
A state government press release stated that South Australian irrigators used about 424 gigalitres of River Murray water each year, compared to about 200GL used by the remainder of the state.
"Vic and NSW irrigators use about 7000GL between them," the release said.
"With such significant demand on the River Murray, it is important the river's health is maintained with sufficient environmental flows, particularly in drier periods."
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