DISTRICT irrigators will have to make some tough decisions with an 8 per cent opening allocation for general security users.
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Binya farmer Helen Dalton said it was a big concern.
“Eight per cent, when you think about it is not much acreage for rice, cotton or corn.
“I think a lot of people will be sitting down, they won’t be doing much with that.”
Mrs Dalton said the allocation process needed to be reviewed.
“Not only were we punished in 2006 when they clawed back the water and we abandoned our crops, they’re actually not allowing us to rev up when the water is here,” she said.
Griffith Business Chamber president Paul Pierotti also expressed his disappointment.
“Eight per cent will have a massive detrimental affect on our economy because we know there is far much more water available,” he said.
He said the opening allocation allowed for the second worst scenario with regard to rainfall.
“As a business owner if I looked at the worst possible scenario or the second worst in this case, I would go broke,” Mr Pierotti said.
“Water is a business and every business must be conservative and careful but also positive and looking to achieve the maximum results.”
Mr Pierotti said indications suggested a record season for rice, almond and cotton crops.
However, farmers would be hamstrung if they did not have access to enough water.
“We can’t be using these doom’s day statistics,” Mr Pierotti said.
“The last three years have been very good and yet our farmers have been hamstrung by these low allocations.”
Trade into, from and within the Murrumbidgee Valley resumed on Wednesday.
Blowering Dam is at 28 per cent of capacity, while Burrinjuck Dam is 46 per cent full.
Last year’s opening offer was 10 per cent.
Both dams were around 60 per cent full.
The next announcement will be on July 15.