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Feedback sought on revised water supply strategy
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01 Feb 2012
North East Water is calling for community input to help finalise its 50-year water supply outlook.
The Corporation has revised its Water Supply Demand Strategy, which was initially prepared in 2007 to guide the supply of reliable water to the region’s towns until the middle of the century.
The revised strategy is currently in draft form and, following input from local councils and North East Water’s community reference group, is now open for submissions from the public before it is finalised.
North East Water Managing Director, Craig Heiner, said the Water Supply Demand Strategy identified actions needed to meet increased demand for water arising from population and industry growth, together with the possible effects of climate change and other environmental factors over a 50-year timeframe.
“Climate variability over recent years reinforces the need to update out 50-year strategy every five years,” he said.
“Since the initial strategy, our analysis shows that our customers are benefitting from considerable investment in augmenting supplies and significant reduction in their demand for water in recent years.
“On average, demand has reduced by approximately one third across the region, which has significantly improved supply reliability (level of service) for many systems, and in some cases deferred the need for expensive supply improvements.”
Mr Heiner said public submissions were a key element of the development of the final revised strategy.
“We welcome the public’s feedback on this important document, and encourage anyone who has an interest to read the draft strategy and provide their thoughts to us, especially on the proposed levels of service,” he said.
“The proposed levels of service need to reflect community expectations about the responsible use of water, and a minimum level of service reflects the appropriate use of water in times of drought or water shortage. It is therefore essential that we gain feedback from the public.”
Mr Heiner said the revised strategy includes an Alternative Water Atlas, an inventory of existing and potential alternative water use for each water supply system.
“Alternative water sources such as reclaimed water, stormwater or roof water are used in many of our systems to achieve outcomes in place of drinking water,” he said.
Comments on the revised Water Supply Demand Strategy draft close at 5pm on Friday, 24 February 2012.
A summary of the document can be downloaded here. Alternatively, if you would like a copy of the complete draft Water Supply Demand Strategy or additional supporting documentation, please contact the Planning and Infrastructure Administration Officer on 1300 361 622 or via email on nerwa@nerwa.vic.gov.au.