The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has released a report on Victoria’s water availability in 2018-2019, finding conditions that year were even drier than in the previous year, with below-average rainfall across most of the State.
The Department said its report, Victorian Water Accounts 2018–19, was the 16th in the annual series and summarised Victoria’s water availability, distribution and use for the 2018-2019 year.
Minister for Water, Lisa Neville said that in a time of more extreme weather events and extended periods of water scarcity, regular and comprehensive public water reporting had never been more important.
“In 2018–19, conditions were again drier than in the previous year, with below-average rainfall across most of Victoria,” Ms Neville said.
“Northern parts of the state experienced particularly dry conditions and large parts of East Gippsland continued to suffer from a severe multi-year drought, which affected large parts of eastern Australia,” she said.
“The decreased rainfall and hot conditions meant that there was less surface water available in 2018–19, compared to previous years.”
“Consequently, there was an increase in the number of Victorian towns on water restrictions and an increase in restrictions on the volume that licensed landholders were allowed to divert from streams.”
Ms Neville said that while Victoria was in a good position to face the challenges of population growth, climate change and extended periods of drought and dry conditions, it could not afford to be complacent.
She said DELWP would soon be releasing an online platform to cover the surface water and distribution systems chapters of the Victorian Water Accounts.
The Department’s 294-page Victorian Water Accounts 2018–19 report can be accessed at this PS News link.
