The Minister for Water has approved Goulburn-Murray Water's and North East Water's applications to amend their Ovens System bulk entitlements. The amendments:

• Improve the method used to estimate urban demands during times of restriction to ensure water supply security.
• Modify the trigger which allows access to low-reliability water entitlements to be consistent with the existing Ovens Operational Arrangements Agreement (an agreement between Goulburn-Murray Water, North East Water and North East Catchment Management Authority).
• Improve the way natural flows are estimated for the Ovens River at Mulwala.
• Streamline the approval process for future changes to Ovens Operational Arrangements Agreement.
• Correct minor reference errors.

The amendments are largely administrative and operational in nature and will help Goulburn-Murray Water and North East Water better manage water supplies during times of low streamflows.

The Minister for Water signed the Ovens System - G-MW Amendment Order and Ovens System - Moyhu, Oxley and Wangaratta Amendment Order on 17 August 2009.

For more information on the Ovens System bulk entitlements, contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

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