G-MW releases 2008 Water Plan

G-MW releases 2008 Water Plan

Goulburn-Murray Water's (G-MW) final 2008 Water Plan was released today. The Plan outlines the services G-MW intends to provide, how it will fulfil its wider legal, environmental and community obligations and importantly the prices for irrigators for the 2008/09 season

According to G-MW Executive Manager Business and Finance, Trevor Ierino the Water Plan maintains a "holding pattern" approach for 2008/09 prices, as proposed in the earlier draft.

"The final plan reflects the customer and regulator feedback we received during the recent consultation period along with suggestions and ideas from our Water Services Committees," said Mr Ierino.

"We will need to revise the five-year Water Plan next year, once there is more certainty around how the State Government's Foodbowl Modernisation Project will roll out across the region. Once we know what work will be implemented under the Project, we will review our capital works, maintenance and operations programs to line up with the needs of the modernised system," said Mr Ierino.

The revised prices for 2008/09 are unchanged in real terms in most districts, but there are increases in the Pyramid-Boort and Torrumbarry districts and a 7 percent reduction for irrigators in the Campaspe district.

"We have deferred price increases where possible in response to the drought, but this cannot be sustained and this is reflected in the price increases in some districts," said Mr Ierino

"In the Campaspe district we undertook one off maintenance projects in 2007/08. We will not incur these costs in 2008/09 and this is reflected in the lower prices for the district," said Mr Ierino

"The plan details the mix of services we intend to provide in the various irrigation districts, and the costs associated with doing this," said Mr Ierino

In the Water Plan G-MW has confirmed its intention to continue funding of applied research with priority areas to include water savings, asset management, aquatic weed control and catchment management.

Capital investment is expected to total $209 million with projects including dam safety upgrades, surface water management programs and continuation of existing reconfiguration programs.

The Essential Services Commission will now review the plan. Copies of the 2008 Water Plan are available online at www.g-mw.com.au.

For 2008/09 proposed price movements, in real terms, are as follows:-

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Media Contact:         Linda Nieuwenhuizen

Position:                    Manager Corporate Communications         

Telephone:               03 5833 5776