Following feedback from the community, we committed to developing a multi-criteria assessment report for potential sites of the new Mt Beauty Raw Water Offtake. These sites included the five initially highlighted by North East Water, in addition to three additional sites identified by the community.
The assessment determined the location for the new 'offtake’ and North East Water's Board endorsed the report at its December meeting.
The new water infrastructure is to be built on the east bank of the Kiewa River, downstream of the Pondage spillway on Embankment Drive. It will allow water from the Kiewa River to be pumped to the Mt Beauty treatment plant in Tawonga South before it is returned back into the community as drinking water.
The proposed works will consist of a small weir in the West Kiewa River to ensure adequate water levels during low flow periods, a fish passage structure, a pump station located in a building adjacent to the river, and a new pipeline along Embankment Drive to connect to the existing water supply pipe to the water treatment plant.
This site has uninterrupted water extraction as it is downstream of AGL operations and has guaranteed river flows. The site also has a low risk of being affected by bushfire and flooding, good access to the existing raw water main, low environmental impact during construction and is the best option for the safety of our staff.
View the Multi-Criteria Assessment Report MCA Summary Site Information Sheet
The Multi-criteria Assessment (MCA) Report was presented to and endorsed by the North East Water Board in early December 2021.
With the location of the Mount Beauty Raw Water offtake now decided, the project will move into a consultation phase with the community, initially on the outcome of the MCA, then on the external design of the pump station, along with the aesthetics around the pump station.
If you have a question about the MCA, you can ask us online via the button below.
MCA Questions