Community invited to Barwon Downs borefield session

SOUTHERN Rural Water (SRW) is holding a community information drop-in session next week for those interested in the future of groundwater extraction in the Barwon Downs borefield.

This session is part of SRW’s planned community consultation on Barwon Water’s application to renew its groundwater licence under Section 58 of the Water Act 1989.

Written submissions on the licence renewal application must be received by March 1.

SRW says the Community Information Drop-in session is an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions about the application process and to provide feedback on the application.

“SRW staff will be on hand to take notes and to explain the application review process, how to lodge a submission, the role of the CRG and the Technical Review Panel (TRP) and direct people to where to find the information they need,” project manager Penny Winbanks said.

The independently chaired 18-member Community Reference Group (CRG) was formed in December and its first meeting will be held today (Thursday, February 14).

Chair Shaun Cox is presently the independent chair of the Dandenong Integrated Water Management Forum and chair of the Border Rivers Commission.

SRW has also appointed an independent TRP, whose members bring specialist expertise, knowledge and skills to the assessment process.

The borefield has been a subject of discussion for months, after Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville issued Barwon Water last year with a legally enforceable remediation plan to protect the health of waterways affected by over-extraction of groundwater from the borefield.

The Community Drop-in Session will be held at the Barwon Downs Hall, 1575 Birregurra- Forest Rd, Barwon Downs on Monday, February 18 between 3-7pm.

For more information, head to srw.com.au/barwondowns.