Goulburn Murray Water (G-MW) has called a community meeting for 9 February 2009 to discuss proposals to maintain and upgrade tourism and recreational services at Cairn Curran, along with options for ongoing funding.
Members of the community are invited to attend the meeting to be held at the Baringhup Community Hall commencing at 7:30pm.
According to G-MW General Manager Technical Services, Shane McGrath, the local shire has recently returned management responsibilities for the tourism and recreational area around Woolshed Bay at Cairn Curran to G-MW.
"We recognise that our water storages are important to regional tourism and provide economic benefits to the local region. We are more than happy to continue to provide public access at our storages for recreational purposes, and to work with local communities to enhance the services provided over time," said Mr McGrath.
However Mr McGrath confirmed that G-MW is a not-for-profit organisation that operates on a full cost recovery basis.
"Our revenue comes from our irrigation customers, and we are exploring alternative funding arrangements for non-irrigation services such as recreational facilities that we provide at our storages. Our aim is to provide high quality community assets that are financially self sufficient," said Mr McGrath.
Mr McGrath said the public meeting was an opportunity for community to work with G-MW to explore the options with a toll of possibly $2 for access to all the recreational facilities one of the options under consideration.
"Tolls are just one option, but nothing is locked in at this stage and won't be locked in until we have had the opportunity to discuss the options with the local community at the February 9 Meeting and consider all the issues - particularly given funding will be the key constraint on G-MW's capacity to maintain and upgrade these services," said Mr McGrath.
Mr McGrath confirmed tolls already apply for entry into the Cairn Curran embankment picnic area, but have been temporarily suspended while improvement works were carried out.
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