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Water plan feedback prompts storage review

Feedback from four community consultations has prompted Westernport Water to bring forward consideration of reopening back-up water storage on Phillip Island.

By Susan Webster - 5th September 2007 - Back to News

Community forums held across the region, finishing September 3, have helped the water corporation review its draft 2008-2013 Water Plan.

Westernport Water’s Managing Director David Mawer said: "Among the suggestions we will be investigating is reinstating the 20ML storage at Wimbledon Heights. That facility could provide the island with water supplies in an emergency.

"The reinstatement would be within the capital works program and the costs could be redistributed within the program," he said. "While it would add some operational cost, the overall costs wouldn’t change dramatically."

Westernport Water sought feedback from customers, the community, tourism operators, government officials and associated stakeholders through workshops held at Grantville, Cowes and Newhaven.

Mr Mawer said: "The draft plan drew good acceptance from all the forums, particularly our intention to improve both water supply security and quality."

The draft includes:

• Spending to secure future water supply
• Increased focus on preventative maintenance and water quality
• Water conservation programs

The draft also proposes price increases across water and sewerage tariffs, although charges for unconnected vacant land will remain at the current level, apart from CPI increases.

Mr Mawer said: "Changes to the tariffs were also widely accepted. I think people recognised that the proposed real increases of 4.5% a year – were very moderate."

The big-ticket item in the draft plan has been the $14 million project to augment supply capacity, most likely by raising the dam wall at Candowie, to double the reservoir’s capacity.

Those works were scheduled towards the end of the five-year program, Mr Mawer said.

"In the interim, we have ensured ongoing supply with additional bores and the Bass River pumping station.

"Additionally, we propose to institute preventative maintenance and water quality improvements," he said. "This one-year-in-three cycle will see more cleaning of the mains by air scouring and flushing. Customers will only experience interrupted supply every three years and even then only for short periods of time."

Westernport Water’s draft 2008-2013 Water Plan has been submitted to the Environment Protection Authority, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Treasury and Finance and the Department of Human Services for comment.

Once approved by the Essential Service Commission (ESC), works associated with the plan will start from June, 2008.

A final plan will be submitted to the ESC on October 8, 2007 and this version will also be available to the public from that date. Phone 1300 720 711, visit www.westernportwater.com.au or email westport@westernportwater.com.au. Hard copies can be viewed at Westernport Water, 2 Boys Home Rd, Newhaven, 3925.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

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