THE need for a more reliable water supply for Green Lake is part of Horsham Rural City Council’s submission to a new Victorian water plan discussion paper.
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The state government has released the paper Water for Victoria, which addresses water-related issues including urban, rural, environmental and recreational aspects.
Councils have until Friday to provide feedback to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Horsham councillors voted to approve council’s submission at a meeting last week.
Council’s technical services director John Martin said the discussion paper contained a number of key themes relevant to Horsham Rural City.
“These include an emphasis on obtaining shared benefits from water, for example gaining recreational benefits from environmental water releases,” he said.
“A case study in the paper highlights the community focus of Wimmera Catchment Management Authority in timing the release of environmental flows to allow water-skiing on the Wimmera River during Kannamaroo.”
The festival runs in November each year.
Mr Martin said a more reliable water supply for Green Lake and other municipality lakes was also important.
Council’s submission states supply arrangements for Green Lake developed since the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline was introduced fell well short of community expectations and historic supply arrangements.
“There is an opportunity for recognition of the environmental values of Green Lake to gain an improved shared outcome for this lake,” it said.
Council’s submission also highlights a desire to be involved in planning the Victorian Rural Drainage Strategy.
The government will develop the plan within the next two years.
Mr Martin said the water plan discussion paper also highlighted water’s importance to liveability in urban areas, and that councils should be involved in water planning processes to maximise liveability outcomes.
Cr David Grimble said he was pleased council’s submission recognised recreational values.
“I’m also pleased to see clarification about the two Green lakes, the one in our municipality and the one near Sea Lake,” he said.
“It’s good to see the comments about the value of our Green Lake, not only for recreation but from an environmental perspective as well.”