Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Eco-study supports Bass River pump planAn independent ecological report into the health of the Bass River supports Westernport Water’s pumping licence application. By Susan Webster - 18th July 2008 - Back to News Westernport Water has applied to the Water Minister for a permanent licence to pump up to 25ML per day during high-flow periods, as part of a backup water supply strategy.
Following an extension of responsibilities for the management of waterways, Melbourne Water commissioned an independent study of the Bass River’s environmental flow needs by a team of hydrologists, ecologists and geomorphologists.
The 61-page Lloyd Environmental report released late last month, supports the science behind Westernport Water’s licence request.
Flow recommendations and stream works proposed by the report support the Westernport Water application for a permanent licence to replace the temporary seasonal permit to pump water from the river during times of high-flow between July and October.
The eco-report noted that low flows in the river over summer were not due to pumping, but part of the river’s natural cycle.
"Low summer flows are required to maintain pool water level and provide perennial habitat for semi-emergent aquatic vegetation, fringing emergent vegetation, fish and macroinvertebrate communities," the report said.
However, it warned against insufficient flow levels, which could lead to a loss of aquatic habitat.
"We are acutely aware of the need for adequate environmental flows," said Keith Gregory, Westernport Water’s acting managing director. "We only take water over and above the environmental flow that provides for the river health."
Last winter Westernport Water used less than 3% of winter flows from the Bass River to help ensure customers had enough water through summer.
Pumping water from the river helped boost Candowie Reservoir’s capacity to more than 90% and had minimal impact on river flows.
Mr Gregory said: "The water pumped from the river comprised only about 25% of the dam fill."
Water flow data shows that the river is prone to sudden large volumes of water in winter. Big flows – up to 2000ML/day – are channelled into the river during peak flow. Of that figure, Westernport Water currently takes only 13ML/day under a temporary licence.
"Quite literally, it is a drop in the ocean of all that water," Mr Gregory said.
A fully-automated pumping station detects when river levels rise and cuts off pumping automatically when river flow falls below the trigger point.
A condition of the pumping licence has seen Westernport Water work with Melbourne Water to help restore part of the riverside environment. Weeds have been removed, native trees, shrubs and grasses planted and the riverbank area refenced as part of the overall pumping station project. The water corporation has already removed willows – a declared riverside weed. It also undertook landscaping works, involving 200 cubic metres … or about 40 truckloads … of rocks.
The planting program extended Westernport Water’s environmental commitment to the region’s waterways. Landcare groups from Bass Valley, Phillip Island and the Tennant Creek Catchment Management Group were the most recent recipients of nearly $50,000 in support from Westernport Water.
Westernport Water also helped to safeguard the river health through a series of surveys checking the waterway’s fish and bug populations. Surveys were conducted near the pumping site, 11km downstream and 45km upstream before works started, and repeated when construction finished and pumping was underway.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au
Related Articles- Bass Coast Council launches mid-term review of Climate Change Action Plan, celebrating achievements and inviting community input
Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030, celebrating renewable energy achievements and inviting community feedback through surveys, pop-up sessions, engagement events, and a special film screening. - Bass Coast Shire Council begins Cowes foreshore upgrades with $8M funding improvements for safer, greener, connected spaces
Bass Coast Shire Council will soon commence the Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged civil and landscaping upgrades with $8 million federal funding, revitalising Cowes into a safer, greener and more connected destination. - Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government. - Bass Coast Shire Council hosts free creative industries workshop with marketing strategies, PR insights on 12 November 2025
Bass Coast Shire Council is hosting a free creative industries workshop in Cowes on 12 November, offering marketing strategies, PR insights, business support, and networking with local media. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs. - Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption. - Bass Coast celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with events, workshops, performances and community connection
The Victorian Seniors Festival returns to Bass Coast this October with the theme Connect, Create, Celebrate, offering workshops, performances, games, tours, and free transport for Seniors Card holders. - Thurra River bridge and campground reopen for holidays, offering access to Croajingolong's forests, trails, and beaches
Thurra River Bridge and campground reopen for holidays, restoring access to Croajingolong's forests, trails, and beaches after fire and flood damage, with resilient infrastructure upgrades ensuring long-term safety and community enjoyment. - Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity. - Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub. - Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal. - Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts. - Gippsland Water invests $550,000 to upgrade Peterkin Street sewer pump station, ensuring reliable wastewater services for Traralgon
Gippsland Water is investing $550,000 to upgrade Traralgon largest sewer pump station, replacing ageing pipes to ensure reliable wastewater services for 5,200 households. Works are underway and due for completion in September. - Baw Baw Shire Council endorses 2026 - 2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to promote safety, welfare, responsible ownership
Baw Baw Council has endorsed the 2026-2029 Domestic Animal Management Plan to promote responsible pet ownership, enhance animal welfare, ensure community safety, and guide strategic animal management over the next four years. - West Gippsland CMA champions healthy waterways, culture, community, and sustainability across the catchment
West Gippsland CMA celebrates World Rivers Day by highlighting river health, cultural significance, and restoration efforts. Caring for 40,000km of waterways, they partner with communities to ensure resilient, thriving rivers. - Join Omeo's visitor economy through tourism mapping and justice precinct masterplan vision sessions on 14 September 2025
Omeo visitor economy's future will be shaped through community sessions presenting the Tourism Ecosystem Mapping Report and Draft Justice Precinct Masterplan, highlighting heritage, recreation, and opportunities to attract investment. - Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion. - Wellington Shire Council seeks feedback on the Domestic Animal Management Plan Review until 24 September 2025
Wellington Shire Council's draft Domestic Animal Management Plan outlines priorities for responsible pet ownership, safety, and welfare, inviting community feedback from 28 August to 24 September 2025. - Shop Local in South Gippsland to strengthen community, support jobs, and keeping our economy thriving together everyday
Shopping locally in South Gippsland strengthens our economy, supports jobs, services, and community groups. Every dollar spent locally multiplies impact, with increased spending boosting growth by millions annually. Shop Local South Gippsland. - Phillip Island gears up for the return of MotoGP and Marquee October events across Bass Coast
Phillip Island hosts a huge October of events, headlined by the 2025 MotoGP, drawing 100,000 fans for racing, music, and entertainment, with free Community Day tickets and Cowes transformed into an entertainment hub.
|
|
