Council backs water security
SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council has stepped up its support for water security in Korumburra, Nyora, Loch and Poowong.
Council last Wednesday voted to make South Gippsland Water’s Northern Towns Connection Project a priority project of its own.
Council will advocate for state and federal funding, and develop a strategic advocacy campaign with South Gippsland Water.
The State Government rejected South Gippsland Water’s business case for the Northern Towns Project in this year’s budget. Both are now working together ahead of the next budget cycle.
Korumburra lacks water security, with the town’s small reservoirs emptying quickly during prolonged dry conditions, and increasing demand from residential and industrial users placing pressure on the dams.
During 2006-07, reservoir levels were less than 10 per cent full and are now just over 70 per cent full.
Korumburra is South Gippsland’s second largest town with a population of about 41000 and that is expected to grow to about 6600 by 2036.
Council believes water security will enable a rate of residential growth that otherwise would not have been possible in the towns.
South Gippsland Water is seeking to link Korumburra, Loch, Poowong and Nyora to the Lance Creek reservoir near Kongwak.
Lance Creek would be the main water supply, with connection to the Melbourne supply system as a backup to use during water shortages or if water quality issues arise.
South Gippsland Water said this would provide a more secure water supply, and help major industrial customers such as Burra Foods.
Cr Lorraine Brunt said the towns needed water security.
“We grow the produce here and have the opportunity to value-add but without water security, we do not have the opportunity to put more businesses in,” she said.
Securing government funding for the Northern Towns Connection Project would avoid unacceptable tariff increases for South Gippsland Water customers.
Cr Andrew McEwen said access to water was a “basic human right”.
“The CSIRO says we could have extended periods of drought,” he said.
“In a civilised world, we should have the capacity to maintain a garden and we should be able to maintain sporting facilities.
“The figures show if we are going to have an extended period of drought, it will be cataclysmic for Korumburra.”
Cr Kieran Kennedy said the northern towns of the shire needed a reliable water supply to be able to cater for even further residential development once the growth corridors of Pakenham and Drouin fill.
Korumburra businessman David Amor told council he was disappointed South Gippsland Water had no other plans for Korumburra in the short term.
Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien said Burra Foods employed many people and needed a reliable water supply to create additional jobs.
“Burra Foods and residential growth in Korumburra, Nyora and Poowong are placing pressure on water supply and a long term solution needs to be found,” he said.
A Victorian Government spokesperson did not give much hope for the project, however.
“While the government is committed to building better water infrastructure and securing Victoria’s water supply, its priority is the completion of the first stage of the $32 million Macalister Project,” she said.
“The government is currently considering the business case for the Northern Towns Project.”
The Macalister Project, due for completion in 2017, is modernising the irrigation system around Maffra.
South Gippsland Water and South East Water are progressing well with construction of the Poowong, Loch and Nyora Sewerage Scheme, with residents’ take-up in line with expectations.
The deadline for people in the voluntary area to advise South Gippsland Water they wish to connect to the scheme and receive the subsidised rate of $5000 is January 31, 2016.
The connection process must be completed by June 30, 2016.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Dec 22 2015. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
