Barwon Water submits review of Anglesea borefield use

BARWON Water has submitted its review of the bulk entitlement that governs the use of the Anglesea borefield.

The borefield can reach groundwater from the Lower Eastern View Formation aquifer, which stretches from the Otway foothills to the ocean, as deep as 700m below the surface.

The review is now with the Victorian Minister for Water Harriet Shing and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Barwon Water general manager of planning, delivery and environment Seamus Butcher said the review was not about seeking to increase the water authority’s extraction limits.

“This is to inform how we best manage the borefield into the future and ensure we continue to protect the natural environment.

“We remain committed to protecting the environment and groundwater dependent ecosystems.”

At present, no groundwater is being extracted from the borefield, which is made up of seven production bores across two sites.

The borefield was last used to supplement Geelong, Surf Coast and the Bellarine’s drinking water supplies in 2019-20.

Apart from a six-month pump test in the first half of 2022 that was used to help inform this review, it has remained on standby since then.

Barwon Water says an extensive range of work was conducted to inform the review, including:

• Reviewing the conceptual site model and groundwater model
• Undertaking scenario forecast modelling to determine how the system may respond to potential future groundwater pumping activities and climate change scenarios
• Identifying the potential impacts of taking groundwater without having the appropriate triggers and controls in place
• Identifying whether any improvements can be made to the controls and triggers contained within the existing bulk entitlement, to protect the environmental values and health of groundwater dependent ecosystem
• Identifying any improvements that could be made to the monitoring and assessment program, and
• Informing, and seeking feedback, from key stakeholders and the community.

Mr Butcher thanked the community for its feedback and input over several years, including via the Anglesea River Advisory Group and at public information sessions.

“While the borefield is in standby mode, we’ll continue to carry out environmental monitoring and we’ll keep the community informed about this work.”

Following the review, further work will need to be done to inform any changes that may be required to the bulk entitlement order, to best protect the environmental values and health of the area.

If an amendment to the bulk entitlement is required, Barwon Water will engage with the community before it sends its amendment application to the Minister for Water.

For more information on the borefield, head to yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/anglesea-borefield