Local Management Rules adopted for managing Loddon groundwater resources
Local Management Rules, a robust framework for regional groundwater management developed by the Mid-Loddon Groundwater Reference Committee, have been adopted and are ready to be implemented.
The Local Management Rules were unanimously endorsed by the Reference Committee and adopted by the Board of Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) after a final round of community consultation. The Local Management Rules will now be used to manage groundwater use in the Mid-Loddon Groundwater Management Area; a region encompassing the towns of Carisbrook, Bridgewater, Serpentine and Calivil.
Chair of the Mid-Loddon Groundwater Reference Committee, Mr Jock Leishman, said "With these rules signed off, there is greater flexibility for licence holders to manage their entitlement and clear scope for future groundwater development; particularly with groundwater trading and carryover."
Mr Leishman also highlighted that the new rules offer security of access to domestic and stock users and protection to the aquifer; supported through the establishment of groundwater level triggers to manage restrictions; in the event of more extreme climatic conditions in the future.
The Reference Committee, established in 2007 in response to concerns about groundwater level declines, has sought community input through a user survey, discussion and feedback forms at public meetings as well as on-site visits with licence holders in intensively pumped areas.
The draft Local Management Rules were made available for public comment and presented at public meetings during May. Submissions were called for and many were received and reviewed by the Reference Committee. Mr Leishman said "The community's response was overwhelmingly positive and supportive and the rules have been truly community driven and developed."
"Developing the management rules has been a community lead process and the Reference Committee were committed to producing rules that serve to manage groundwater resources equitably and sustainably,"
Mr Leishman also acknowledged the work put into developing the Local Management Rules by the Reference Committee and representatives of G-MW and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). "The commitment shown by the Reference Committee and the support given by G-MW and DSE in this process have been instrumental in getting these rules completed," Mr Leishman said. The rules have also received strong support from Coliban Water, the North Central Catchment Management Authority and DSE.
Commenting on the new rules, G-MW Managing Director, David Stewart, said that groundwater users will clearly understand the rules that apply to them for the use of the water resource. "Groundwater users in Mid-Loddon will now know exactly how much water to extract in a season, plan ahead and not be concerned about unforeseen restrictions or bans that can have a significant impact", he said.
"G-MW's adoption of these Local Management Rules for Mid-Loddon Groundwater Management Area signals improved and more adaptive management arrangements for groundwater resources across Victoria", Mr Stewart said.
The rules will shortly be made available to the public and will be sent to all Mid-Loddon groundwater licence holders. The Local Management Rules will be implemented next month.
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