THE future of the $200,000 feasibility study into the planned creation of a water bank at Lake Eppalock is up in the air. In April last year, then state and federal water ministers John Thwaites and Malcolm Turnbull announced they would split the costs of the study. The study was to investigate the plan to build gates on the lake’s spillway to increase its capacity when it filled. The plan would increase the amount of drinking water available to Bendigo and to sell to irrigators. During a visit to Bendigo yesterday to inspect the result of the city’s recycled pipeline and plant, state Water minister Tim Holding said he was unaware of the plan. “If it was a federal initiative and it didn’t go ahead, obviously we wouldn’t have matched it,” he said. “The question is whether or not the federal government proceeded with that.” Coliban Water managing director Geoff Michell said he believed no action had been taken after the announcement. “I think at the time it was more the federal minister who said he was putting some money up and Mr Thwaites said he would consider that proposal,” he said. “I am not aware of any proposal. “I don’t know if any action has been taken on that, to date.” Mr Holding praised Bendigo and Coliban Water for the recycled pipeline initiative. “Bendigo is leading the way in Victoria for water recycling,” he said. “Recycled water helps reduce demand on our drinking water supplies and provides an alternative source of water for industry and our sportsgrounds. “The water factory will recycle all Bendigo’s wastewater and is a key part of diversifying Bendigo’s water sources and developing a secure supply. “This project will help underpin regional development and safeguard Bendigo’s prosperity and future.”
I think you mean Lake Eppalock? I can’t believe that you are still on this issue Anthony. I can tell you the result of any study that is undertaken. The cost of repairing the dam wall will exceed the likely cost benefits of the lake holding more water. If you are willing for your water rates to jump by 100% then I think we should do it.
Not our water rates Chuck. Eppalock is owned and run by Goulburn Murray Water. Nothing more disappointing than wanting water security, but not being prepared to do anything about it, including paying a bit more. If the state govt was keeen on it, it could be part of the food bowl modernisation because it could put more water into Campaspe. The problem that everyone has been harking on about is that water authorities did not plan properly and did not give us water security. This is one way of stopping that happening again. Also, not my idea Chuck. Just asking follow up questions to something both state and fed govts promised on April 26.
It is a way of creating more water without building a dam.
What you dont get is it would be like building a new dam. The old dam is in such a state of disrepair that to hold an extra two meters of water the entire wall would have to be removed and then built again. Do you know how much it costs to build a new dam. $100million plus. How can you say it is not our water rates? Last time I looked Goulburn Murray water were not giving water away? Any cost to rebuild the dam would be shared between the water authorities. Even then it comes out of our tax dollars.
Where has Holding been for the last year. Certainly not taking any interest in the water woes of Bendigo. How strange that Labor took the money from the Liberal Government for the Erskine pipeline but youing Tim is so dismissive of the Libs plan to study how to increase water holdings at Eppalock. Brumby Labor has failed to listen and understand one again.
Comment #5
(Posted by Laker)
Another blinkered, and very late, reaction from the Labor Government in Victoria to addressing the need for a more efficient and secure water future for Bendigo and central Victoria. And there has been no a boo out of the inactive local Labor triumvirate of Allan, Cameron and Gibbons. Not cvery effective MPs
Comment #6
(Posted by Greg)
Does young Timmy have another idea to improve water capacity? Read on . . . oops, he'll only get as far as the first sentence!
