1367.2 - State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, Dec 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/02/2003   
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  • Victoria's water storage less than half the level a year ago (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

February 19, 2003
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
21/2003

Victoria's water storage less than half the level a year ago

December 2002 water storage in Victoria was less than half of the level at the end of December 2001, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

At the end of December 2002, Victorian water storages were at 29.1% of capacity, down from 33.6% at the end of November. Rural water storages were at 26.4% of capacity at the end of December, markedly lower than at the same time in 2001 when it was at 57.7%. Melbourne water storages were at 51.2% of capacity on 31 December 2002, slightly lower than the 52.9% capacity at the end of November 2002, and down from 59.0% capacity in December 2001.

Storages by individual river basins at the end of December 2002 ranged from 8.7% of capacity for the Glenelg/Wimmera Basin, to 81.8% for the Ovens Basin. At the end of each month in the quarter ending December, storages in all Victorian river basins were at lower levels than at the end of the same month in the previous year.

These figures are contained in State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, December Quarter 2002. Other highlights from the publication include:
  • The trend estimate for the total number of dwelling units approved in November 2002 decreased 5.2% from the previous month with 3,869 dwellings approved. The number of approvals fell in each of the four months to November, following five months of growth. In comparison, national dwelling approvals fell 0.9% from October to November 2002. The trend estimate of the total value of Victorian building approvals was $1,193 million in November 2002, down 2% from October but 12.1% higher than a year before.
  • The trend estimate of retail turnover was $3,390.4 million in November 2002, the fifth successive month in which trend turnover declined. This contrasted with moderate growth at the national level.

Further information is in State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, December Quarter 2002 (cat. no. 1367.2).