Customers and the community are being asked for their comments on the draft groundwater management plan for the Loddon Highlands Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA), released today for public comment.
The Loddon Highlands WSPA consultative committee, with support from Goulburn-Murray Water, will hold a public meeting to discuss the draft groundwater management plan.
Date: Tuesday 26 June 2012
Location: Ascot Hall (Ascot Hall Road)
The consultative committee, appointed by the Minister for Water, has prepared the draft management plan after considering a large amount of technical information on the region's groundwater systems and taking into account input from groundwater users and the wider community.
The Loddon Highlands WSPA extends from Newlyn and Learmonth in the south to Maryborough and Dunolly in the north.
The Chair of the Loddon Highlands WSPA consultative committee, Mr Jock Leishman said the draft groundwater management plan provides a clear operational framework which describes how groundwater resources will be managed in the region.
"The draft Loddon Highlands WSPA Groundwater Management Plan provides protection to existing groundwater users, including domestic and stock users and the environment, by maintaining a cap on licence entitlement and restricting groundwater extraction when groundwater level trigger points are reached," said Mr Leishman.
"The draft plan also provides the opportunity for groundwater licence holders to better manage their entitlements with the inclusion of carryover and permanent trade." added Mr Leishman.
Groundwater users and members of the wider community are encouraged to comment on the draft plan before Tuesday 17 July 2012. All submissions will be considered by the consultative committee before a final draft plan is sent to the Minister for approval.
For a copy of the draft groundwater management plan please call Bob Knowles at G-MW on (03) 5826 3437. The submission form is available for download from www.g-mwater.com.au.
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Media Contact: Alice Milner
Position: Communications Adviser - Retail Information Services
Telephone: (03) 5826 3706