Pumping into Anglesea River begins

PUMPING into the Anglesea River estuary started on December 19, which the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)) says will maintain water levels over summer and deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for the local community.

Since 2016, DELWP, Barwon Water, Corangamite CMA and the Surf Coast Shire have worked together to collect and store water from the river during the winter-spring period and pump it back over the drier summer months.

Appropriate water releases are determined through daily monitoring of water levels.

For nearly 50 years, Alcoa had extracted groundwater for use in the power generation and subsequently discharged it into the Anglesea River.

With the station’s closure, water levels in the lower river and estuary would drop quickly without these planned releases.

The state government worked closely with the local community through the Anglesea Futures Community Conversation forums to shape this management option, with local residents and businesses expressing their desire to maintain water levels in the river.

Stakeholders are aware of how important the Anglesea River is to the local community for both lifestyle and tourism, and are committed to maintaining a healthy river system for all involved.