A public information session to outline key
components of the new draft Upper Ovens Water Management Plan will take place 20 July 2010 at the Savoy Club
in Myrtleford. The
draft Plan proposes management of groundwater and surface water as a single
resource and is the first integrated plan of its kind in Victoria.
The Upper Ovens Water Supply Consultative Committee
is charged with developing the Water Management Plan for the proclaimed Upper
Ovens Water Supply Protection Area.
The Committee was appointed by the Minister for
Water, and is made up of local residents (including irrigators), environmental
representatives and Government agency experts.
Alan Barlee, Consultative Committee Chairman and
Bright resident said groundwater and surface water are strongly interconnected in
the Upper Ovens River
valley, which means that groundwater extraction from the sands and gravels in
the valley flats can reduce flow in the Ovens River.
"There has been widespread recognition that
management needs to better consider this strong connectivity and reduce impacts
of groundwater extraction on the river during critical low flow periods such as
late summer," Mr Barlee said.
"Before looking at how best to manage water in an
integrated way, the Committee has had to develop a detailed understanding of how
groundwater and surface water resources physically interact within the Upper
Ovens catchment."
"The Committee has also had to come to grips with
equity issues among the key stakeholders, as well as the science behind the
environmental flows needed to protect the iconic Ovens River," Mr
Barlee said.
"I am confident that the resulting water management
plan will benefit the whole community by enabling more equitable and
sustainable sharing of the entire resource for all water users within the Upper
Ovens catchment, particularly during low flow periods," said Mr Barlee.
On 20
July 2010 residents can hear about the key draft management
proposals and the timeframe for public comment. Items to be covered include
caps on extraction, restrictions, environmental flow requirements, management
zones, trading and metering.
The detailed draft management plan is due for
completion in August 2010 and will be released for community comment. Following
community consultation, the Committee aims to submit a draft plan to the
Minister in November 2010.
Further public information sessions will be
conducted in August and September after the Plan is released.
Goulburn-Murray Water has
the role of facilitating the Committee.
Any enquiries can be directed to Daniel Lovell on phone (03) 5833 5730.
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ENDS -
Media Contact: Sheree
Fitzgerald
Position: Corporate Communications
Adviser
Telephone: (03) 5833 5754