Division 4Water Accounting

Division 4—Water Accounting

General

87. For the purpose of giving effect to the principles set out in the preceding Divisions of this Part, the following provisions shall apply.

Allocation of water to New South Wales and Victoria

88. (1) In respect of any period, a quantity of water estimated by the Commission as—

(a) the quantity of water which would have flowed in the River Murray past Doctors Point in that period but for the effect during that period of diversions to or from, and impoundments on, the upper river upstream of Doctors Point, plus

(b) the quantity of water diverted by works of the Authority to the upper river upstream of Doctors Point from beyond the natural boundaries of the catchment thereof

shall be allocated between the upper States as provided in sub-clause 88 (2).

(2) The quantity of water estimated for any month in accordance with sub-clause 88 (1) shall be allocated as follows—

(a) for any of the months from May through to August inclusive, the whole quantity shall be allocated half each to the States of New South Wales and Victoria;

(b) for any of the months from September through to April inclusive;

(i) during any period of restriction, the first 12,900 megalitres per month (being equivalent to the ceding by the State of Victoria to the State of New South Wales of a volume of 6,450 megalitres per month), and

(ii) at any other time, the first 16,700 megalitres per month (being equivalent to the ceding by the State of Victoria to the State of New South Wales of a volume of 8,350 megalitres per month)

shall be allocated to the State of New South Wales, and the remainder shall be allocated half each to the States of New South Wales and Victoria.

Allocation of water in Menindee Lakes Storage

89. Of the quantity of water which in any period enters the Menindee Lakes Storage from the Darling River, an amount shall be allocated to the State of New South Wales equal to the amount to which that State is entitled during that period under sub-clause 78 (1) or 78 (2) and the remainder shall be allocated half each to the States of New South Wales and Victoria.

Tributary inflows

90. The quantity of water which in any period enters the upper river downstream of Doctors Point from a tributary, or from any artificial outfall approved by the Commission for the purposes of this clause, other than quantities referred to in clause 89, shall be allocated to the upper State from which the water enters the upper river.

Use by New South Wales and Victoria of allocated water