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South Australian Private Carryover

What is private carryover?

Private carryover is a drought management measure for holders of Class 3 (High Security) water access entitlement. It enables unused water allocation to be stored in one water year for use in the next. In dry periods, it can increase the volume of water allocation available to water users at the beginning of a water year by up to 20 percent of the entitlement held at the end of the previous year.

Access to carryover may be made available when the projected minimum opening water allocation is 50 percent or less. The Department for Environment and Water will announce if private carryover is available when the projected opening allocation is announced on 15 April (or the next business day) each year. This is to ensure entitlement holders have time to plan and make decisions about potential carryover arrangements.

The Water Allocation Plan for the South Australian River Murray Prescribed Watercourseallows private carryover to eligible users when the projected minimum opening irrigation allocation is 50 percent or less.

Private carryover provides additional flexibility to water users by allowing for some unused water allocation at the end of one water year to be granted for use in a following dry water year.

If carryover is available, eligible entitlement holders will need to lodge an application for carryover by 15 June.

Please see SA private carryover frequently asked questionsfor further information.