Winchelsea water plan approved

THE Surf Coast Shire has approved the Winchelsea Integrated Water Management Plan.

The plan aims to provide a number of benefits to the community through improved water management.

Winchelsea is one of the areas in the shire where a plan is deemed most urgent due to it being situated on banks of the Barwon River, as well as being a major growth area.

Winchelsea Ward councillor Heather Wellington said action was also needed as the Barwon River was in “a really threatened state”.

The plan states that much of the town’s key recreation areas have low-quality turf, and suggests some ways this could be improved.

“For example, active irrigation of the turf and landscaping of the Hesse St Reserve will enhance its amenity to all adjoining users, including the Bowls Club, Cricket Club, Tennis Club and Men’s Shed.”

The plan suggests that new streets, which will inevitably be built as the town develops, be built very wide, like the existing ones. This can allow grass and even trees to be grown between road and footpath.

Cr Martin Duke said he was particularly supportive of this part of the plan.

“It’s something that I would like to see eventually go across to any council.”

Another of the ideas in the approved plan is to retain stormwater for use at the Winchelsea Golf Club.

New development in Winchelsea has seen stormwater overflowing and causing flooding on certain streets. This solution looks to reduce the risk of flooding while improving the golf course.

Improving connections to and around the Barwon River has been listed as one of the community’s highest priorities. The plan subsequently looks to develop the Barwon River Loop Walk and make it a genuine loop.

However, the plan only received one response during the consultation period. Cr Wellington said she found this strange.
“People in Winchelsea actually really do care a lot. I think they’re just exhausted and a bit disenfranchised.

“They’ve had some recent experiences that have perhaps caused some real issues between the community of Winchelsea and the council.”