MELBURNIANS can expect water restrictions to remain for several years until massive infrastructure projects are completed, including the desalination plant due to begin operating in 2011. The city's water supply is in better shape than at this time last year but a drier autumn looms. Water Minister Tim Holding said yesterday some restrictions would continue until major projects were completed. Water Services Association of Australia executive director Ross Young said Melbourne ended February with its catchments 35.5% full, up from 34.2% at this time last year. He attributed the increase to a fall in water consumption, down 9% on the previous year, and more summer rainfall, 10% above average. However, Mr Young said dry soil throughout the state meant higher rainfall was not delivering the boost to reservoirs that might be expected. The streams that fill Victoria's reservoirs were flowing at only 58% of the long-term average flow. Water storage levels in Ballarat were at just 9.5%. Meanwhile, the Murray-Darling Basin Commission yesterday warned that flooding rains in Queensland and above-average summer rainfall in the upper Murray River would bring little or no relief for Victorian irrigators. Total inflows into the Murray system are still only a quarter of the long-term average. Victorian irrigators will receive only 42% of their entitlements this financial year, with worse likely for next year. With CHRIS HAMMER
