Broadford/Kilmore Not Left High and Dry

8 February 2007

Goulburn Valley Water would like to address the misconception in the Broadford and Kilmore communities about the Goulburn River to Broadford Pipeline.

Goulburn Valley Water’s Chief Executive Mr Laurie Gleeson said that in Summer 2003 edition of GVW News the Authority announced that design work was about to commence on the pipeline from the Goulburn River to Broadford.  “At this time, that is exactly what the Authority was working towards.  However, in the same newsletter we also announced that the Premier was establishing a High Level Task Force to review the best options to improve future water security for the towns supplied from Sunday Creek.”

“In the next edition of GVW News (Spring 2003) we outlined the recommendations from the High Level Task Force.  The primary recommendation, which was agreed to by the Government, was to connect Wallan to the Melbourne water supply system, via a $29 million pipeline.  This project has been undertaken and was commission on 16 January 2006.”

Mr Gleeson said that one of the other recommendations from the High Level Task Force report, also highlighted in the newsletter, found that the Goulburn River pipeline would not be required until much later in the 25 year planning period.  “In the Task Force report it was anticipated that the pipeline would be required around 2021.  However, we continually review our forward planning and now plan to bring forward the pipeline project due to the impacts of the severe drought and the future climate change outlook.”

“The Shire of Mitchell was represented on the Task Force and was fully aware and supported all the recommendations in the report.  It is disappointing that some members of the local community have chosen to ignore all the recommendations in the report and narrowly focus on one article from one newsletter.”

Mr Gleeson said that the Authority is currently preparing a 50 year planning document for each water supply system called GVW2055 – A Sustainable Urban Water Future.  “A discussion paper has been released for each water supply system.  The discussion paper for the Sunday Creek System includes a recommendation for constructing a pipeline from the Goulburn River to Broadford.” 

For details on GVW2055 – A Sustainable Urban Water Future, including the discussion papers please click here.  The draft document will be available for public comment in March 2007. 

Authorised By L.J. Gleeson 104-110 Fryers Street Shepparton