Posted 21/12/06
Friday, December 15, 2006
Setting the direction for on-going environmental management of the Lake Eppalock catchment and coordinated by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the development of the Lake Eppalock Special Area Plan seeks to ensure a sustainable and viable future for our region.
North Central CMA Board Chair, Dr Ian MacBean, explained that Special Area Plans are a provision of the Catchment and Land Protection Act and the development and implementation of the Lake Eppalock Plan is an important action arising from the Our Water Our Future Bendigo Regional Action Plan.
Dr MacBean outlined that the development of the Special Area Plan has been necessitated by increases in population and subdivision pressure, drought and decline in the ecological health of the Campaspe River - the major tributary that feeds the Eppalock storage.
“The Steering Committee to oversee the development of the Plan on behalf of the North Central CMA has high level representation from Goulburn-Murray Water, Coliban Water, City of Greater Bendigo, Department of Sustainability and Environment and the North Central CMA, and is supported by a technical advisory panel to guarantee the incorporation of the latest science.”
Chair of the Special Area Plan Steering Committee, Ms Jean Sutherland outlined that the drought has placed greater emphasis on the need to manage effectively and protect the environmental values of the catchment and the quality of water within its waterways.
“Waterways are an integral part of our catchment environment. The condition of our landscape and the condition of our waterways is interdependent,” said Ms Sutherland. “Healthy communities rely on healthy catchments.
“The Special Area Plan takes into account this interdependence. The Plan focuses on establishing a framework for highly effective management of the catchment and protection of water quality within the catchment, including the setting of guidelines for the uses of the Lake Eppalock catchment environment.”
Ms Sutherland pointed out that the Plan will also support good land management practices that have positive impacts on the condition of the catchment’s landscape, its aquatic environment and aquifer recharge and discharge within the catchment area. However, it will not develop recommendations relating to the operation of levels of water in Lake Eppalock.
“The Special Area Plan will not control, nor influence the major factors influencing water yield and ultimately water levels within Lake Eppalock,” stressed Ms Sutherland.
Signalling the significance of the Special Area Plan, Ms Sutherland added that the Plan will specify the most suitable land uses for the study area with regard to public interest, state the purposes for land use in the area and identify the need for any land use conditions.
“With the identification of the need for land use conditions comes the potential for landholders to obtain benefits through off-sets provided by the beneficiaries of the Plan,” said Ms Sutherland.
A first for the region, Ms Sutherland detailed that the geographic scope for the Special Area Plan is the catchment area of Lake Eppalock encompassed by the boundary of the City of Greater Bendigo.
Describing the Lake Eppalock catchment as an iconic part of our region’s landscape, Ms Sutherland highlighted the critical importance of community consultation in the Plan’s development: “The community should have a share in the future direction of the Eppalock catchment and it is important that the community and interested groups are provided with the opportunity to have a say in regard to the Plan.
“I would like to extend an invitation to community members to contribute to the first round of consultation by attending one of two open days on January 19 and 20,” she said.
“Friday, January 19’s open day will be held at the Heathcote Guide Hall, 121 High Street, Heathcote, from 3-7pm. While the open day on Saturday, 20 January will be run at the Bendigo Yacht Club, 45 Sunset Drive, Lake Eppalock from 10am -1 pm.”
Ms Sutherland concluded by stating that, “It is anticipated that the draft Plan will be available for review in June 2007.”
Anyone wishing to access further information regarding the project can contact the North Central CMA on 5448 7124 or visit the Authority’s website: www.nccma.vic.gov.au
For further information please contact:
Kirsty Cogdon
Communications Officer
North Central Catchment Management Authority
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5440 1826
f: 03 5448 7148
e: kirsty.cogdon@nccma.vic.gov.au