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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Department of Water and Energy Date: 16 January 2009 UPPER MURRAY WATER USERS REMINDED OF PUMPING RESTRICTIONS The Department of Water and Energy today reminded all licensed water users in unregulated sections of the Upper Murray catchment to be mindful of the pumping restrictions currently in force in their area.
The restrictions, which specify when pumping for irrigation purposes must cease, have remained in force since last summer.
Licensing Officer, Clare Purtle, advised that the hot and dry weather conditions experienced over the last couple of weeks had resulted in rapidly falling stream flows in the Upper Murray.
“Tumbarumba, Mannus and Maragle Creeks have been particularly affected, with cease to pump levels in this systems now being reached,” she said.
Pumping in contravention to these restrictions is an offence. The Department has new powers in relation to on the spot fines and hefty increases in fines imposed following prosecution.
Ms Purtle advised that licensed water users could access flow level information of many Upper Murray gauging sites via the Departments web site www.waterinfo.nsw.gov.au . Follow the link “Access Daily River Reports” and then the link “Murray”.
Suspected illegal activity should be reported by contacting the Department’s Compliance Branch on 1800 633 362.
CURRENT CEASE TO PUMP CONDITIONS IN FORCE
NSW MURRAY RIVER Upstream of the Swampy Plain River junction (in the area known as the Indi River) • Pumping for irrigation may only occur when flows measured at the Biggara Gauge (401012) are above 50ML/day and then only in accordance with the roster system provided by the Department.
TOOMA RIVER • Pumping for irrigation may only occur when flows measured at the Pinegrove Gauge (401014) are above 50ML/day.
TUMBARUMBA SUBCATCHMENT Upstream of the Paddy’s River Junction including Tumbarumba Creek, Pound Creek, Burra Creek, Boggy Creek and Paddys River. • Pumping for irrigation and industrial purposes may only occur when flows measured at the Tumbarumba 2 Gauge (401007) are above 10ML/day. Downstream of the Paddy’s River Junction (including only the Tumbarumba Creek downstream of Paddys River). • Pumping for irrigation and industrial purposes may only occur when flows measured at the Pinegrove Gauge (401014) on the Tooma River are above 50ML/day and a flow equivalent to the full flow of a 200mm pipe set at bed level is maintained below the pump site.
MARAGLE SUBCATCHMENT Including Maragle Creek; Maragle Back Creek; Reedy Creek and Sawpit Creek. • Pumping for irrigation may only occur when flows measured at the Maragle Gauge (401009) are above 10ML/day.
MANNUS SUBCATCHMENT: Including Mannus Creek upstream of the Glenroy Height Gauge. • Pumping for irrigation and industrial purposes may only occur when flows measured at the Glenroy Height Gauge (401008) are above a height of 0.2 metres. Including Mannus Creek downstream of the Glenroy Height Gauge; Boggy Creek; Mundaroo Creek; Mundaroo Back Creek and unnamed tributaries of these creek systems. • Pumping for irrigation and industrial purposes may only occur when flows measured at the Yarramundi Gauge (401017) are above a height of 0.45 metres.
JINGELLIC SUBCATCHMENT Including Jingellic Creek; Coppabella Creek and Lankeys Creek. • Pumping for irrigation and industrial purposes may only occur when flows measured at the Jingellic Gauge (401013) are above 10ML/day.
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