11 October 2007
DRAFT WATERWAYS PLAN OPEN FOR CONSULTATION
Waterways across the entire Port Phillip and Westernport catchment stood to benefit significantly from Melbourne Water’s stewardship of waterways and drainage services, Melbourne Water General Manager of Waterways, Chris Chesterfield said today.
Releasing Melbourne Water’s Draft Waterway’s Water Plan for public comment and consultation, Mr Chesterfield said the five year Waterways Water Plan set out the organisations expected investment in waterway health and flood protection across the region, including in Melbourne Water’s new extended waterways and drainage operating boundary.
“In 2005 Melbourne Water’s boundary was extended by more than 5000 square kilometres, making it caretaker of river health for the first time in parts of the Moorabool Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mitchell Shire and the City of Greater Geelong.
“We have also extended further into the shires of Melton, Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula and the cities of Wyndham and Hume.
“Since the expansion of our operating boundary we have worked with councils and local communities to develop programs of works in these new areas, and this Plan released for consultation today, details the level of investment we intend to make right across the region, to protect and improve local waterways, manage flood risks and improve drainage services.”
Mr Chesterfield said the plan also detailed changes to how these services were charged, including a proposal to extend the collection of a waterways and drainage charge into the new operating area for waterways and regional drainage services.
“Under the plan, we propose a flat $57 annual service fee for all of the approximately 118,000 residential customers in the extended area that falls within the Urban Growth Boundary, commencing from July next year, to help us meet our commitments to protecting and improving the health of local waterways. For properties outside the UGB we propose a fee of $36 for these services.”
Mr Chesterfield said this new charge would be used to manage water quality, provide flood protection works, manage urban growth, and undertake a range of works that will improve environmental and recreational water quality, in line with Melbourne Water’s Waterways Operating Charter and the objectives set out in the Regional River Health Strategy.
“This draft plan is open for public comment and consultation, before we submit our final plan to the Essential Services Commission later this year,” Mr Chesterfield said.
“The Essential Services Commission ultimately determines the prices charged by Victorian water businesses , so this consultation period is a really important opportunity for us to explain the types and scope of works we have planned for local areas and how the valuable services we provide.”
Mr Chesterfield said copies of the plan were available on the Melbourne Water website or by calling 131 722 with consultation open until November 16.
Local community information sessions are planned in the following locations over the next few weeks. Anyone interested in attending can register online or by calling on the details above.
| Melton | Monday 29th October |
| Mornington Peninsula | Wednesday 31st October |
| Werribee | Thursday 1st November |
| Sunbury | Friday 2nd November |
| Newhaven | Wednesday 7th November |
| Romsey | Thursday 8th November |
| Ballan | Friday 9th November |
