Committee to consider future groundwater management for Loddon Highlands

A new Consultative Committee has been appointed to develop a plan to better manage groundwater resources in the upper Loddon catchment.

G-MW Acting Managing Director Shane McGrath said the Committee was made up of local residents including irrigators and domestic and stock users, environmental representatives and government agency specialists.

"The appointment of the Consultative Committee follows the declaration of the Loddon Highlands Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA) in June 2010," said Mr McGrath.   

The Loddon Highlands WSPA extends from Newlyn and Lake Burrumbeet in the south to Dunolly in the north and incorporates the townships of Creswick, Newlyn, Smeaton, Learmonth, Ascot, Clunes, Talbot and Maryborough.  The Loddon Highlands WSPA includes the regions previously incorporated with the former Spring Hill and Upper Loddon WSPAs.

"Significant technical work was undertaken as part of a review of the former Spring Hill WSPA Groundwater Management Plan, which led to the declaration of the Loddon Highlands WSPA, an area which better recognises the upper Loddon aquifer system," said Mr McGrath.

"The Management Plan will ensure groundwater resources are managed in an equitable and sustainable manner.  The Consultative Committee will need to consider a range of management issues including establishing trigger levels and associated seasonal restrictions, arrangements for transfer and carryover of water entitlements, monitoring and reporting requirements," Mr McGrath said.

"The Committee will take into account the economic, environmental and social values for the area; so the make-up of the Committee as well as extensive community consultation will be crucial to achieving this," said Mr McGrath.

The Loddon Highlands WSPA Consultative Committee includes:

The Consultative Committee and its development of a new management plan will be supported by G-MW and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. 

Pictured from left to right: Brendan Cossens (G-MW), Cr Rod May (Hepburn Shire), Mal Brown (Environment Victoria), Norm Suckling (Landholder), Jock Leishman (Chair), Elizabeth Zajc (DSE), Tom Toose (Landholder), Elizabeth Hak (Landholder), Rohan Hogan (NCCMA) Richard Carter (Landholder), Rob Rendell (RMCG), Shannon Lancaster (G-MW), Russell McKay (Landholder), Ian Esmore (Landholder), Lea Chibnall (Landholder), Pat Russell (CHW) & Bob Knowles (G-MW)

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