Members and guests of Friends of the Barwon (FOTB) met on Wednesday 22 February in the Jeff Sykes Rowing Shed on the banks of the Barwon in Geelong. It was a very apt venue for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) given the views of the river from the meeting room. Our meeting was rescheduled from last year because of the flooding of the river at the time.
After an acknowledgement of country and receipt of the apologies, the minutes of our last AGM were accepted. Our President, Trevor Hodson, gave his address and summary of what was achieved in the last year. A copy of Trevor’s talk is on our FOTB website. Significant achievements included:
the grant from the Wettenhall Environment Trust that allowed the employment of our Executive Officer, Liz Hamilton
an untied sponsorship agreement with Barwon Water for the next six years
the gazetting of Significant Landscape Overlays (SLO’S) by the State government before Christmas. These SLO’s will afford a greater measure of security and protection for the Barwon which was one our original goals when we participated in the Barwon Ministerial Advisory Committee deliberations four years ago. Much effort has been undertaken by our committee and other FOTB members over recent years to help achieve this outcome.
Thanks to the grant from the Wettenhall Environment Trust, sponsorship from Barwon Water as well as our membership, we are in good financial shape. We hope to have independent DGR status soon to allow for tax-deductible contributions to our Special Purpose Fund. Thanks to Hugh Stewart for all his good work.
Next we had the election of Office Bearers and a call for Committee Members. All positions were filled. Three long-standing Committee Members retired from their positions. These were Kaye Rodden, our first President, Stewart Mathison, Secretary and Phil Bade. We are grateful for their service.
Some changes were sought in our membership categories, to allow for Group, Corporate, Affiliate and Corporate or Agency Sponsors. Each groups’ rights are defined and will now be incorporated in our Model Rules after being voted for in favour. Some minor changes were also required to comply with requirements necessary for gaining DGR status. These too were voted for in favour.
Our guest speaker was Tracey Slatter, MD of Barwon Water. Tracey gave us a window into the innovative thinking and the way her organisation is listening to and engaging with the community to ensure our water supply is secure for years to come. There were ideas like the North Western Geelong Growth Area (NWGGA) which, through use of integrated water management principles, could become an exporter of water rather than an importer. Another was the potential for waste water instead of drinking water to be used for the manufacture of hydrogen to power heavy duty vehicles and the by-product oxygen to be used to increase the efficiency of treating our waste. Tracey outlined the steps so far to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions and indicated ahead of time emissions now have fallen to one-third of those when the work started. It was inspiring in many ways to hear her message.
After the meeting, those present enjoyed refreshments and the opportunity to mingle with our speaker and other guests. It was a great night.
Over thirty members and friends joined our AGM including Libby Coker MP, member for Corangamite, various councillors from the Surf Coast Shire and Golden Plains Shire and representatives of Barwon Water and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. Unfortunately, a clash with a meeting of the Colac Otway Shire meant Councillors from COS could not attend. Twenty apologies were received.
Background to Recent Pollution Events on the Yarrowee River
Water Releases Through the Lough Calvert Drainage Scheme
Update on the Anglesea Borefield
Concerning Findings about Suspected Unlicensed Dams in the Moorabool Catchment
Update on unlicensed Dams: Questions in Parliament
Draft Biodiversity Plan for NWGGA – Open for Feedback
Your Waterways – Your Say
The Draft Masterplan for the Moorabool River Reserve in Batesford Open for Comment
Lake Connewarre Wetlands Restoration Events
BCN Ramsar Education Kit
Barwon Water – Seek Customer Representatives
Opportunities to get more involved with Friends of the Barwon
Membership Renewal Reminder
FOTB Contacts
Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters
Chair’s Message
By Trevor Hodson
Issues, that directly or indirectly have the potential to negatively impact on the Barwon River and its tributaries, continue to arise and FOTB are working to achieve the best possible outcomes for the long-term health of our rivers and catchment. Our approach has involved face to face meetings, briefings, correspondence, representation on relevant committees and awareness raising amongst our members and other relevant stakeholders. My summary below is a brief update on matters that FOTB have been actively involved since our last newsletter:
Essential Services Commissioner to extend monitoring and compliance funding to Southern Rural Water– see article below and extended FOTB article on the ESC review outcomes.
Boating on the Barwon – The CCMA will shortly be releasing a paper on proposed changes to Boating Regulations in the Barwon. This affects the lower Barwon particularly after the spans of the Ovoid Aqueduct are removed to restore the continuity of the river to power boats and canoes. We should argue for speed restrictions in the area known as the ‘Place of the Brolga’ to ensure damage is not caused to the banks by wash from speedboats associated with the various ski clubs hoping to gain access to longer stretches of the river.
The CCMA’s Place of Many Stories Masterplanproject, being run in conjunction with the Wadawurrung, has been released for comment via Engage Victoria. Contributions to be received by 14th August. A number of drop-in sessions are planned. One of the issues is that none of the possible projects have funding and much of the emphasis is on increasing access to the river without consideration for the river’s health. I was interviewed by the Geelong Independent and expressed FOTB’s concerns.
Fyansford Motorcycle Facility – There is still no news about the plan for the rehabilitation of the site at Fyansford for the Motorcycle Facility. According to last correspondence with City of Greater Geelong, the plan should have been ready by June 2023.
Teesdale Subdivisions – We have been notified that the Golden Plains Shire has refused the application for the subdivision at 40 River Drive Teesdale. This subdivision has potential to impact adversely on Native Hut Creek. The developer is appealing the decision at VCAT. We plan to oppose the development at the VCAT hearing, set for February 2024. We have also been alerted to another potential subdivision at 73 River Drive.
Bendigo Bank grant – FOTB were successful in our application to purchase a printer thanks to the local Winchelsea branch of the Bendigo Bank’s 20th Birthday celebrations.
Geelong Sustainability – We have endorsed a letter drafted by Geelong Sustainability encouraging the City of Greater Geelong to take greater action on climate change.
New CEO for Barwon Water – Shaun Cummings is Barwon Water’s new CEO replacing Tracey Slatter who has taken up the position of CEO at the Transport Accident Commission.
We are also reminding our members (and members-to-be) that subscriptions fees are again due as we work towards membership renewals falling due on at the beginning of the financial year. Happy reading!
Essential Services Commission Pricing Review
The Concerned Waterways Alliance (CWA) attended two ESC meetings in May with Lach Gordon representing Friends of the Barwon. Barwon Water received only very minor reductions of funding for some programs. There was a reduction of $2 million for the upgrade of the Melbourne Geelong pipeline, but Barwon Water were generally satisfied with the ESC determination and should be able to cover any shortfalls. It seems that their submission was highly regarded and their reputation as the premier Victorian Water Corporation has served them well.
The ESC budget reduced Southern Rural Waters operating budget by $6.6 million per annum. The CWA argued as a result of the work undertaken by PALM on the impact of farm dams on the Moorabool that more money should be allocated to SRW for compliance enforcement, not less, to improve performance in these areas. This was achieved – an extra $9.9 million for SRW for compliance.
Our attention was brought to the pollution in the Yarrowee following land clearing for a housing development. Thankfully the EPA is taking the developer to task and has various court orders seeking to minimise the pollution occurring from runoff and will require the developer to rehabilitate the stream when the development is completed. A local resident was threatened with legal action and a GoFundMe account has been set up to defray his legal costs. FOTB contributed $150 to this fund.
Water Releases Through the Lough Calvert Drainage Scheme
Given the highwater levels recorded in Lake Colac, the CCMA has given notice that the drainage system will be activated on 21st July to reduce the risk of flooding private land. The rules of operation are determined by the water level in Lake Colac and the salinity of the Barwon at Winchelsea. A briefing was arranged with the CCMA. The indication is that no more than 50 ML will be released per day and this should reduce the risk of erosion in the Birregurra Creek. When the last releases occurred in the 1990’s there were significant impacts on biodiversity in the Barwon due to increased salinity levels. Hopefully this will not be a result of this release and the situation will be monitored. If accepted salinity levels in the Barwon are exceeded the release will stop.
Friends of the Barwon Committee members were recently briefed, by both Barwon Water and the Friends of the Anglesea River, about issues affecting the Anglesea River and its estuary. In recent times the Anglesea River has experienced prolonged periods with low pH levels, to the detriment of the biodiversity in the waterway. Although the exact cause of this has not been fully settled, the Friends of the Anglesea River suggest a potential cause is an 80% – 90% reduction in flow in Salt Creek over the last 60 years. They claim the reduced flow is evidence of an unacknowledged vertical leakage from the perched aquifer above a cone of depression which underlies the Alcoa mine after 46 years of dewatering pumping.
Using Google Earth, PALM volunteers looked at dam storages across the catchment. With Google Earth’s capacity to compare historical satellite imagery, the volunteers were able to identify new and enlarged private dams that had been developed, particularly over the last decade. The group were then able to approximate dam volumes based on a recognised formula for Victorian dams.
Update on unlicensed Dams: Questions in Parliament
On the 21st of June Dr. Sarah Mansfield, member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing the Western Region, asked the following questions without notice to Water Minister Harriet Shing:
My question is for the Minister for Water. The ABC recently revealed that 200 new private dams have been constructed along the Moorabool River catchment since 2012. Many appear to be unlicensed, and the water regulator, Southern Rural Water, has failed to enforce the law. In fact, last year Southern Rural Water made not a single prosecution. The proliferation of unregulated dams poses a significant risk to essential inflows to the Moorabool, which is already one of the most flow-stressed systems in the state. Will the government place an immediate moratorium on the construction of new private dams within the Moorabool catchment whilst this issue is being investigated?
Draft Biodiversity Plan for NWGGA – Open for Feedback
The draft Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Plan for the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas (NWGGA) has recently been released. Public exhibition of the draft EPBC Plan, Strategic Assessment Report and associated implementation documents will run until Monday 25 September 2023.
During this time, land owners, community members and other stakeholders are encouraged to give feedback on the draft biodiversity strategic assessment for the NWGGA, or attend one of a number of workshops or drop-in sessions. The draft EPBC Plan follows release of the results of its community consultation which is available on the FOTB website.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is developing a new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy. It will guide how we manage Victorian waterways into the future.
They want to hear from you about how to improve our waterways for things that matter most to you.
They invite early feedback on a discussion starter to help shape the development of the new draft Strategy. The final Strategy is expected to be released in 2025.
DEECA will work with key stakeholders throughout the project on development of the new Strategy. The next round of formal public consultation will take place when the draft Strategy is released for public comment, expected in 2024.
The purpose of this consultation is to:
Detail why a new Victorian Waterway Management Strategy is needed.
Invite input into a new vision for the future of our waterways, which will help us develop the new Strategy.
Invite early feedback on what the new Strategy needs to achieve.
Read the discussion starter, provide a response to the short survey or lodge a submission. To find out more, join us at one of our community conversation sessions. To contribute visit Engage Victoria
The Draft Masterplan for the Moorabool River Reserve in Batesford Open for Comment
The Draft Masterplan for the Moorabool River Reserve in Batesford is now open for public consultation until the 16th of August, 2023. Council is seeking feedback on the Draft Masterplan from the Batesford community to ensure that the plan meets the needs and aspirations of the community for the reserve. The Draft Masterplan can be found here
Join Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) on 16th August for a day of wetland rehabilitation at Murtnaghurt Lagoon, adjoining Lake Connewarre. This culturally significant area for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners provides important feeding and breeding habitat for native fish and a number of wetland-dependent bird species, including rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Together with Parks Victoria rangers, CVA will be hosting a day of weed extraction where volunteers can actively help preserve and protect this important wetland. Followed by a morning tea and the opportunity to explore and survey the stunning flora and fauna that call this area home.
Bellarine Catchment Network (BCN) are excited to announce a brand new free Ramsar education kit for use by all.
These kits include over 20 different resources on wetlands that cover many topics including plants, animals, language, flyways, migration, as well as linking into art, creativity and puzzles. The BCN Ramsar Education Kit includes:
Ramsar ‘Hero posters’
Migratory bird ‘Connie’s’ Cards
Colouring in sheets (see example attached)
Fact Sheets (see example attached)
Online puzzles
Posters (see example attached)
Word Search
DIY puppets and bunting.
Barwon Water – Seek Customer Representatives
Barwon Water are currently recruiting for their Customer Advisory Committee, and are keen to hear from people across our region. Joining the committee provides an opportunity to inform and influence decisions, share community insights and connect with regional leaders and professionals. Their long-standing advisory committees consist of a diverse group of people to assist with our ongoing planning and projects. For more information visit: Our Committees and Advisory Groups | Your Say Barwon Water
You can also contact the Engagement team with any queries on 1300 656 007.
Ongoing opportunities to get more involved with Friends of the Barwon
Our committee continues to put a great deal of voluntary time and effort into FOTB in our fight for a healthier river system. We would love to get more of our Friends actively involved with our work and there are a range of ways that your skills can be put to good work.
We are looking for Friends with skills including;
computer,
website and social media management,
photography,
research and involvement with relevant advisory committees.
If you would like to get more involved as a Committee member or in other ways that could help, please email Liz Hamilton at friendsofthebarwon@gmail.com or ring 0400 780680 and briefly outline what skills and time commitments you may be able to provide as well as your contact details.
Membership Renewal Reminder
Members are reminded that membership renewal is upon us. The membership year begins on 1st July so subscriptions for 2023 – 2024 are now due. You can become a FOTB member via one of the following membership options:
Membership – $10.00 per person and voting rights at meetings
Associate Membership –
Group Member – for not-for-profit groups aligned with aims of the Association – Annual fee of $50 with up to five nominated individuals accorded voting rights at meetings.
Corporate Member – to allow for profit organisations that support the aims of the Association – Annual fee of $100 but no voting rights.
Affiliate Member – for Friends groups and similar working in Barwon catchment to share logos and resources – to be decided by the Committee on receipt of a request from the group wishing to affiliate – No annual fee or voting rights.
Corporate or Agency Sponsor – To allow for sponsorship of a specific event or work of the association – to be determined by Committee on application.
New memberships and renewals can be made through PayPal or Direct Debit by via the Join Us page on our FOTB website. If you would like to join us as either an Affiliate Member or Sponsor, please email us at friendsofthebarwon@gmail.com
Readers of the Colac Herald will have seen a recent front-page article with calls from a local farmer to start the release of water from Lake Colac into the Lough Calvert Drainage Channel at the northern end of the lake, near Irrewarra. His concerns related to flooding of his and others property on the northern shores of the lake, given the highwater levels currently in the lake as a result of three years of above average rainfall. Given the impact of previous releases on salinity levels in the Barwon River, the Committee asked for a briefing from the CCMA.
The drainage scheme was initiated after the floods in the early 1950’s to minimise flooding around the lake and to divert water through the Lower Lough and via the Birregurra Creek to the Barwon River. Other goals were to:
maintain a level of water in Lake Colac to allow various recreational activities
to limit impact on downstream users and biological systems
as well as ensuring there was no residual surface water in the Lower Lough by the end of September.
There are written operational rules that mean water cannot be released from the lake unless the water elevation exceeds 116.6 m and salinity measured in the Barwon at Winchelsea, between July and September, is less than 2500 ECU. There is an overflow that operates if the water elevation exceeds 117.4 m.
In 1995, 10 GL of water was released from the lake into the drain and again in 1996, 9 GL of water was released. Given the salinity in the lake then was recorded at 2000 ECU and is now closer to 4000 ECU, this resulted in about 20,000 tonnes of ‘salt’ being delivered into the Barwon with impacts on the biodiversity in the river being noted as far downstream as Winchelsea. Currently, depending on the amount of water to be released, similar impacts could be expected in the Barwon. When full, to lower the lake level by 0.5 m, 15 GL would need to diverted into the channel. Given this could occur over a period of 180 days, it would mean the equivalent of 83 ML/day being released whilst the channel has a capacity of up to 150 ML/day. Such a diversion would send 37,500 tonnes of ‘salt’ into the Barwon. If a draw-down of 0.25 m was required these figures can be halved but still have the potential for significant impacts downstream. One also has to consider that there are very high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in the lake water and these would impact on the development of blue-green algal outbreaks as far downstream as Geelong, where such events are already causing major disruption to recreational events like rowing.
Other impacts would include erosion in the Birregurra Creek, which has occurred with previous releases and the impact on riparian revegetation. It is all very well for landholders upstream of Birregurra Creek and the Barwon to raise concerns about the impact of local flooding but they cannot overlook the impact on the Barwon of large releases of water from Lake Colac. We need to be mindful of all the consequences of any release and just not what is impacting our own backyard.
Despite recent winter rains, the forecast of a drier and warmer three months ahead hopefully will mean the trigger points are not reached and a release will not be required. We can only wait and see what the weather brings.
In a recent follow up from the CCMA, they will only release about 40 ML/day which is the same amount entering Lake Colac from the two creeks and the treatment plant. They have telemetry to measure these flows in real time.
By Trevor Hodson
Photo: Fishing on Lake Colac – courtesy of Otway.biz
Friends of the Barwon Committee members were recently briefed, by both Barwon Water and the Friends of the Anglesea River, about issues affecting the Anglesea River and its estuary. In recent times the Anglesea River has experienced prolonged periods with low pH levels, to the detriment of the biodiversity in the waterway. Although the exact cause of this has not been fully settled, the Friends of the Anglesea River suggest a potential cause is an 80% – 90% reduction in flow in Salt Creek over the last 60 years. They claim the reduced flow is evidence of an unacknowledged vertical leakage from the perched aquifer above a cone of depression which underlies the Alcoa mine after 46 years of dewatering pumping.
Alcoa, who ran the coal mine at Anglesea, have plans to pump water from the Upper Eastern View Formation (UEVF) to contribute to the rehabilitation of the mine site. This is being considered in conjunction with the Eden Project. Previously, water was taken from the UEVF to help the cooling process in the associated power station and returned to the Anglesea River. This amounted to 1.6 GL each year. Now the mine and power plant are no longer in use this water is not being returned to the river.
Barwon Water have a Bulk Entitlement for water in the Lower Eastern View Formation (LEVF). The LEVF is separated from the UEVF by the Middle Eastern View Formation that acts as an aquitard between the two aquifers. It was indicated that pumping would only occur as a last resort in the event of serious water resource challenges such as occurred in the Millenium Drought. In these cases, water from the LEVF would be piped to the Wurdee Buloc Reservoir to supplement Geelong’s water supply. The current conditions allow for 40 ML/day and 10 GL/year to be piped with a maximum amount of 35 GL in a period of five years. Unlike the Barwon Downs Borefield which was used during the Millenium Drought, where a volumetric licence was given, the extraction from the LEVF is regulated by DEECA under a bulk entitlement. Extraction will be strictly monitored to ensure there is no adverse effect on the environment from the pumping. The Monitoring and Assessment Program (MAP) will cover aspects like ground water level, ground water quality (salinity, pH, temperature and sulphates), aquatic and terrestrial ecology, stream flows and levels as well as rainfall. This information will be used to assess impacts on both aquifers. Barwon Water is developing a hydrogeological model which will be used by them and Alcoa in their respective applications for pumping rights. Alcoa are obliged to contribute their data to ensure the model is robust.
It is expected given current water storage levels in the region it will be some time before Barwon Water uses the Anglesea Borefield to supplement Geelong’s water supply. Barwon Water is also increasing the reach and capacity of its Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline supply, which will improve short to medium water security for the region. In the meantime, it was reassuring to see the amount of work being undertaken to ensure the environment is protected and, if changes occur through the Environmental Monitoring Plan, they can be detected before compounding the situation in the river. Hopefully in the interim, headway will be made on the use of recycled water to augment our potable water supplies and the borefield will not be needed. Alcoa is still progressing their licence application to use water from the UEVF to rehabilitate the mine-site but approval is not guaranteed. Barwon Water have offered an alternative solution using A class water from its Black Rock treatment plant. Alcoa have rejected this offer on the basis of costs involved.
By Trevor Hodson, FOTB Chair
Photo: Water monitoring in the Anglesea River. Courtesy of Estuary Watch
The Concerned Waterways Alliance attended two meetings in May with Lach Gordon representing Friends of the Barwon
Barwon Water (BW) ESC draft decision
Barwon Water received only very minor reductions of funding for some programs. There was a reduction of $2 million for the upgrade of the Melbourne Geelong pipeline, but Barwon Water were generally satisfied with the ESC determination and should be able to cover any shortfalls. It seems that their submission was highly regarded and their reputation as the premier Victorian Water Corporation has served them well.
Southern Rural Water (SRW) ESC draft decision
SRW has authority over three irrigation districts, Bacchus Marsh, Werribee and McAllister, as well as seven major storages.
SRW licenses groundwater, surface water, and dams. SRW has a budget of $33 million of which $25 million is derived from customers.
In recent years there has been a separateand substantial funding program to upgrade and modernise these irrigation districts including converting flood to pivot irrigation and provision of automated outlets.
Unfortunately, these water savings have not always been directed to improve environmental flows.
The ESC budget reduced SRWs operating budget by $6.6 million per annum.
CWA argued that the ASIC determination was incorrect because SRW has insufficient monitoring and enforcement capacity (such as for the licensing of private dams) and SRW needs more funding, not less to improve performance in these areas.
Final SRW ESC decision
The ESC approved an increase of $9.9 million or 5.8% higher than their draft decision!
The ESC stated that the decision “is adequate for the business to deliver the outcomes SRW has determined are those valued by customers and the community, and it’s legal and regulatory obligations, including for environmental water and sustainability.”
This was a great result both SRW and CWA (and FOTB), and confirms that our advocacy is effective.
A lack of funds should not be an excuse for insufficient monitoring and compliance by SRW.
By Lach Gordon
Image of the Barwon river near the Moorabool river confluence
Using Google Earth, PALM volunteers looked at dam storages across the catchment. With Google Earth’s capacity to compare historical satellite imagery, the volunteers were able to identify new and enlarged private dams that had been developed, particularly over the last decade. The group were then able to approximate dam volumes based on a recognised formula for Victorian dams. PALM obtained anonymised data on licenced dams within the Moorabool catchment; provided by Southern Rural Water (SRW). The group then cross-checked these dams to estimate the extent of new and enlarged dams.
PALM claims about 200 new private farm dams have appeared in the catchment, the majority since 2012; dozens of these dams appear to have been built on watercourses, which by law require a licence. Their research also suggests that the annual increase in new private dam volumes over the last 10 years was triple that predicted by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action studies.
The ABC, with the help of ANU water scientist Matthew Colloff, has verified that several of the biggest dams flagged by the PALM group appear to be operating either outside their licence or without one.
PALM claims that the annual increase in new private dam volumes over the last 10 years was triple that predicted by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action studies.
To read more about the background behind PALM’s research, visit the PALM website.
Moorabool River above Batesford – Courtesy Dave Keelings
Just over two decades the Yarrowee River that rises in Ballarat was little more than an urban drain, receiving stormwater from the town and treated effluent from the Southern Ballarat Water Treatment Plant. Thanks to funding from the State government and many hours of work by volunteers and the local Council, a transformation took place. Litter traps were placed at the storm water discharge points, revegetation works were undertaken, banks were stabilised and walking paths made. It became a place much loved and cared for by the community.
Ballarat is not immune from development and in February 2022, local residents reported episodes of pollution in the Yarrowee River to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The pollution was attributed to a housing development, covering 18-hectares in Brown Hill. In late 2021, vegetation and topsoil were removed from land alongside the Yarrowee River. After rain events, large amounts of sediment entered the river causing increased turbidity leading to reduced available oxygen and sunlight for plants and animals in the river. The decline in water quality had potential long-term implications for the biodiversity of the river.
The EPA has engaged with the developers on numerous occasions to ensure the river is protected and restored. Ultimately the EPA took the developer to the Supreme Court using the provisions of the General Environmental Duty provisions in the Environment Protection Act 2017 to ensure that their orders were complied with. They have also required the developer to remove and dispose of the sediment from the river via the Vista Remediation Plan. This would include measures to reduce the risk of sediment flowing downstream, damaging more of the river, during the remediation.
A local resident who posted his concerns on Facebook was threatened with legal action, as the company suggested the comments were defamatory. The resident has apologised but did incur significant costs. It is not clear if more legal action will follow. In the meantime, a GoFundMe account has been set up to defray his costs. This can be accessed at https://gofund.me/d9ce4756 . So far, the funds raised amount to $2365 and $3500 is the target.
It is something we should all be alert to and support like-minded people who support our aim of making our rivers healthy, especially those of the Barwon. It is all too common for developers to push the boundaries. We now have legislation to protect the environment as well as the landscape. Hopefully the situation in the Yarrowee will improve and residents can enjoy their river once again without the threat of ongoing pollution.
Image: The sludge-filled water of the Yarrowee River (courtesy of ABC Article – Aug 2022) – photo supplied to ABC by Anthony Murphy
The City of Greater Geelong (the City) held two workshops with environment and community group members in February 2023 to assist the City in preparing the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas (NWGGA) Strategic Assessment. The purpose of engagement with environment groups was to: • Provide an overview of and context for the Strategic Assessment • Identify any key issues or priorities for environment groups in the context of the NWGGA Strategic Assessment • Provide an understanding of the project to assist environment groups engage in the public comment process.
Some of the key issues of focus across the attendees included: • How to manage and incentivise conservation on private land. • Managing the Moorabool River, including the impacts of the Batesford Quarry, implications of stormwater management in the Growth Areas, and opportunities to enhance the river corridor. • Opportunities for biodiversity linkages in the growth areas and looking to enhance the environment during implementation of the project. • The shortcomings of past development projects and the implications for implementation of the NWGGA Strategic Assessment. A detailed account of the comments and questions raised by attendees is provided below:
SESSION ONE – 21ST FEBRUARY 2023 • Questions relating to data, including: – Will survey data collected by Ecology and Heritage Partners (EHP) be uploaded into the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA)? – Is the data used in the report publicly available? • Questions / comments on the development and avoidance layout of the growth areas: – What is the size of the buffer on the Moorabool River and Cowies Creek? – Comment that it is positive to see some biodiversity linkages proposed in the layout, although the opportunity for more linkages should be considered. – Note that there is often a fixation on buffer zones to be set in stone at the minimum requirement, although this may not provide the best outcome in the context of the site. • Questions / comments on MNES: – General concern at the amount of remnant Natural Temperate Grassland mapped within the growth areas. – Noted that the survey records for Striped Legless Lizard don’t overlap with the mapped areas of Natural Temperate Grassland. – Noted that the only action for in-stream species was to manage stormwater, would like to see more done for the listed aquatic species. – The Golden Sun Moth and Striped Legless Lizard are using modified environments in the growth areas, how will these areas be offset?
SESSION ONE – 21ST FEBRUARY 2023 • General comments/concerns: – What scope is there for enhancing the environment, not just avoiding and mitigating impacts? – A number of questions and comments on the downstream section of the Moorabool River which has been impacted by the Batesford Quarry, and the implications this has for biodiversity and landscape connectivity. – Comment that the current state of the environment is a result of 200 years of destructive farming, what opportunity is there to re-establish historical conditions? The traditional land management practices of the Wadawurrung should be considered in the context. – Concern about the implementation of major projects not providing the biodiversity outcomes they intend to. – Do local environmental values get picked up in the Strategic Assessment Report? – Concern about the previous outcomes of development in relation to stormwater management and the Moorabool River. – Noted Barwon water is looking to reuse stormwater in the precinct and comment that recycled water going into river systems can have negative impacts on biodiversity.
SESSION TWO – 22ND FEBRUARY 2023 • Questions / comments on the development and avoidance layout of the growth areas: – Will there be housing on the monocline escarpment? – Concerns about the isolated nature of reserves and implications this has for biodiversity. – Why were biodiversity linkages not considered prior to land zoning for the growth areas? • Questions / comments on MNES: – Concern about why one of the Striped Legless Lizard populations has potentially been lost in the Northern Geelong Growth Area (NGGA). What opportunity is there for further survey and investigation? • General comments/concerns: – It is positive to see that the NGGA conservation area has been expanded. – A number of questions and comments regarding the southern part of the Western Geelong Growth Area (WGGA), not included as part of the Strategic Assessment. – Noted decisions made for this project will impact decisions made for downstream areas. – What opportunity is there to consider enhancing the environment, not just mitigating impacts? – Numerous comments and detailed discussion on conservation management on private land, including: What incentives are there for landholders? What the City is doing to promote good environmental outcomes on private land? Particular focus and discussion on managing landholders once development plans are made publicly available. Comment that while some landholders are doing good work on their land, neighbours can be negatively impacting their environmental values which cancels out the positive actions.
SESSION TWO – 22ND FEBRUARY 2023 – Why does public comment occur when a large part of the document drafting, and decision making is already done? – Question on the process for the Strategic Assessment, why does so much of the planning relating to biodiversity get left for the precinct planning phase? – Noted that the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS) needs to strike a balance between providing clarity and certainty now, and also into the future. – A number of comments and questions on the downstream section of the Moorabool River, which has been impacted by the Batesford Quarry, and the implications this has for biodiversity and landscape connectivity.
NEXT STEPS The engagement sessions were intended to introduce the document package to community and environment groups and provide the opportunity for initial feedback. Where relevant to the purpose and scope of the documents for the Strategic Assessment, the feedback provided in these sessions has been considered in updating the documents prior to public comment. The documents will be available to review as part of the public exhibition process later in 2023. This period will allow for formal feedback on the documents and the City will provide responses to formal feedback received during this period.
