Public meetings to discuss groundwater management rules for Mid-Loddon Water Supply Protection Area

The meetings have been called by Goulburn-Murray Water’s (G-MW’s) Mid-Loddon Groundwater Reference Committee which is developing Groundwater Management Rules for the sustainable pumping of groundwater in the Mid-Loddon Water Supply Protection Area, which encompasses the towns of Carisbrook, Bridgewater, Serpentine and Calivil.

According to G-MW Executive Manager Water Delivery Services Ian Moorhouse the Committee was formed earlier this year in response to community concerns regarding falling groundwater levels and continued dry conditions.

“Effective groundwater management rules are vital to the equitable and sustainable management of this important local resource,” said Mr Moorhouse.

Mr Moorhouse urged local residents with domestic and stock bores to attend the meeting and share their views with the Mid-Loddon Groundwater Reference Committee.

“Many local domestic and stock bores are quite shallow and could be significantly impacted by declining groundwater levels. It’s important any groundwater rules reflect their views along with other groundwater users,” said Mr Moorhouse

According to the chair of G-MW’s Mid Loddon Groundwater Reference Committee, Mr Jock Leishman the Committee’s consultation process is a key step in developing groundwater management rules that guide the operating levels for the aquifer, and the management of entitlements across the resource.

“This is a community lead process and participation at the meetings is the best way for all of us to have our say on the rules that will apply to this resource over coming seasons,” said Mr Leishman.

Public Meetings are to be held at the following times:

If you have any questions regarding the development of groundwater management rules, please contact Brendan Cossens at Goulburn-Murray Water on (03) 5833 5437.

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