The milestone was announced alongside the NSW Government's latest water allocation statement earlier this week.
While the NSW Murray general security allocations have not increased from last month’s 30 per cent allocation, the Murrumbidgee Valley received an increase of two per cent.
But Federal Member for Farrer David Farley said the repayment of the Barmah-Millewa borrow was a major step forward for irrigated agriculture across the region.
He said the significance of the repayment extended beyond the water volume itself, because any future improvements in water resources would no longer need to be directed toward repaying the borrow.
“NSW Murray resources have contributed 79 gigalitres to the Barmah-Millewa Allowance, meaning all outstanding commitments have now been met," Mr Farley said.
"Further improvements in water resources will now be able to support higher allocations, rather than first being directed towards repaying the borrow.
“That 79 gigalitres, if applied to rice, would underwrite 80,000 to 90,000 tonnes for the Deniliquin Rice Mill.
“These are focal wins for these important regions in Farrer. They have needed relief for some time.”
Mr Farley said irrigation companies, including Murray Irrigation and Murrumbidgee Irrigation, should now consider what immediate measures could be taken to help growers prepare for the coming planting season.
“Irrigators with spring planting ambitions should now have further confidence the water risk profile has narrowed,” he said.
“Where water is available and can be delivered, the NSW Government should urgently examine whether further borrowing or other lawful allocation measures could support planting.”
