Customers and the community are being asked for their comments on a draft Local Management Plan for the Lower Ovens Groundwater Management Area. The Plan was released today for comment and a public information session will be held in Wangaratta on Monday 14 May to discuss the Plan.
The draft management plan was prepared by Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) with the support of a Reference Group that is made up of landholders, local government representatives, North East Water, North East Catchment Management Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Public Information Session
Place: Conference Room at Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre
Corner Ford and Ovens Streets, Wangaratta
G-MW General Manager Water Services, Graeme Hannan, said the draft Local Management Plan will provide a strong management framework for the Lower Ovens Groundwater Management Area, which extends from Myrtleford in the south to the Murray River in the north and includes the King and Buffalo River catchments.
"This framework will support equitable and sustainable groundwater use and development, while also recognising the connectivity between groundwater and surface water in the region and the need to protect high value environmental assets," said Mr Hannan.
"The draft plan provides clear sharing arrangements for times of groundwater shortage and clear groundwater trading rules which enable users to maximise the benefits of groundwater, particularly in underutilised aquifers," said Mr Hannan.
"By maintaining a cap on licence entitlement and proposing precautionary restriction measures, the draft plan also provides protection to existing groundwater users and the environment," added Mr Hannan.
Groundwater users and members of the wider community are encouraged to comment on the draft plan before 1 June 2012. All submissions will be considered before a final draft plan is sent to the Minister for approval.
Please submit all comments to: Groundwater and Unregulated Systems, 40 Casey Street, Tatura VIC 3616.
Copies of the draft groundwater management plan are available at www.g-mwater.com.au, at the G-MW Wangaratta Customer Service Centre or by calling Matt Pethybridge from G-MW on (03) 5826 3702.
- ENDS -
Media Contact: Sheree Fitzgerald
Position: A/Manager Stakeholder Relations
Telephone: (03) 5826 3754