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Cunnamulla
Scheme
Announced Allocations
Storages
Water Pricing
Scheme information
About
The Cunnamulla Scheme sources its water from the Allan Tannock Weir for irrigation and urban purposes.
How the scheme works
- The weir is a sheet piling and concrete construction with a fixed crest spillway.
Water uses
- Irrigation water for landholders along the ponded area of Allan Tannock Weir
- Urban water supply for Cunnamulla.
Scheme Management
Sunwater must comply with the conditions set out in the Cunnamulla Water Supply Scheme Resource Operations Licence (ROL), issued to Sunwater in January 2006 by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW). The ROL outlines the infrastructure details, environmental release rules and all Sunwater’s monitoring and reporting obligations. The ROL also requires Sunwater to operate in accordance with an operations manual that is approved by DRDMW. The operations manual outlines rules for the operation of infrastructure associated with the Cunnamulla scheme as well as water sharing rules and seasonal water assignment (temporary trade) rules.
The Cunnamulla Water Supply Scheme ROL Operations Manual was issued in August 2021.
Sunwater focuses our resources towards timely and cost-efficient delivery of water to customers in the Cunnamulla scheme. We collaborate with our customers to ensure we understand their needs, adapt quickly to changes in the environment and make the most of the available water supply.
Taking water from the scheme
The water ordering system assists Sunwater in delivering water to its customers in an efficient and timely way, enabling them to plan and manage their water use.
Before taking any water, customers should place a water order so that Sunwater can release sufficient water and minimise losses.
Customers who take water without ordering may reduce Sunwater’s ability to supply customers who have ordered according to the above requirements.
To place an order
Customers can place their orders via:
- Sunwater Online
- Sunwater Customer Support on 13 15 89
Further information about ordering water is detailed in Cunnamulla’s Rules and Targets.
Stopping or restricting supply
Sunwater may suspend or restrict supply in a number of circumstances, including:
- during maintenance of Sunwater’s assets
- during a peak demand period, when rosters or rations may apply
- when the demand for water is so small it is impractical to supply it
- when there is a need to make special releases to maximise efficiency at times of limited supply
- during rain shutdown
- infrastructure limitations which make delivery impractical
- if supply could cause Sunwater to break the law
- when operating under special notices or regulations issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines {e.g. Water Amendment Regulation (No.3) 2006}.
Weather events and emergency shutdowns
Sunwater asks that customers notify their duty Water Officer, as soon as possible, of any rain event or other circumstances that substantially lessens their water requirements. When wide spread general rain exceeds 40 mm in a day over the Cunnamulla Water Supply Scheme, the duty Water Officer may shut the system down.
Customers are also asked to cancel orders if they no longer require ordered water.
For more information contact
If you experience an equipment or power failure emergency, please give immediate notice to Sunwater by calling Sunwater Customer Support on 13 15 89 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Announced Allocations
Water Year: 2023/2024
Medium priority: 100%
Announced Allocations effective 11 December 2023 and will be applicable until revised and communicated by Sunwater.
Customers are advised to obtain information about their remaining water allocation balance by accessing SunwaterOnline.
For more information or enquiries, phone 13 15 89 or email customersupport@sunwater.com.au.
History of Announced Allocations
Operational reports
Sunwater releases periodic operational reports detailing Announced Allocation levels and individual storages’ breakdowns within each scheme, the latest of which can be found below.
Service and Performance Plans
Sunwater prepares an annual Service and Performance Plan (S&PP) for each irrigation service contract area. S&PPs replace the former annual Network Service Plans and annual Performance Reports.
We have updated the naming convention for S&PPs to improve clarity and alignment with plan content. The new convention references the year in which the S&PP is published (or should have been published). Publication should occur within six months of the end of a financial year.
For further information about this service, please visit the Service and Performance Plan page.
Scheme news
Scheme history
Image courtesy of Natali Fogerty and Goondiwindi Regional Council
Cunnamulla Water Supply Scheme
Allan Tannock was a long-time resident of Cunnamulla and in his role as a stock and station agent he saw first-hand the ravages of drought and damage caused by flooding. The town’s weir on the Warrego River is named after him.
While only a relatively small piece of infrastructure in a sparsely populated region, the weir is vital for agriculture, town water and recreation. Built in 1991 with a storage capacity of 4770 ML, it serves fewer than 30 bulk customers, mostly farmers growing grapes and fodder crops.
It is, however, a drawcard for tourists who descend on the weir and the river to spot abundant birdlife and try their luck at fishing.