Goulburn-Murray Water are continuing the conversation with community about future of the Broken System.
At the end of this month, GMW will host a series of public briefing sessions where the team will explain the draft options and scenarios that have been developed through the Broken Reconfiguration Feasibility Study.
These sessions come on the back of a series of engagement sessions last November at the Mokoan hub, survey and online feedback mechanisms and more than 40 targeted kitchen table meetings with landowners.
The study is investigating changes to the system that will help support the community adapt to a future with reduced water availability.
For the purposes of the study, the Broken System has been divided into five zones, to consider the feasible reconfiguration options.
Several of the individual options being presented at the briefing sessions will apply across all of the five zones, however other options, such as infrastructure-related ones, will be unique to certain areas.
Individual briefing sessions will be held for each of the system’s five zones, where attendees will be able to share their perspectives on the range of options developed with community input to date.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) Water Delivery Services general manager Warren Blyth encouraged those who were interested to attend.
“Community feedback has played a major role in shaping the Broken Reconfiguration Feasibility Study to this point,” he said.
“The feedback we got from the drop-in sessions in late 2023, and from our online engagement has helped develop the options that will be presented at the briefing sessions.
“We are eager to ensure entitlement holders and other stakeholders in the region remain involved so we can reach the best outcome for them, and the briefing sessions will be an excellent opportunity for us to ensure this is the case.”
The sessions are at the following times and locations:
- Zone 1 Briefing - Tuesday 30 April 2024, 9.30am - 11am - Benalla Racing Club - 5835 Midland Hwy, Benalla VIC
- Zone 2 Briefing - Tuesday 30 April 2024, 1pm - 2:30pm - Benalla Racing Club - 5835 Midland Hwy, Benalla VIC
- Zone 3 Briefing - Tuesday 30 April 2024, 6pm - 7:30pm - Benalla Racing Club - 5835 Midland Hwy, Benalla VIC
- Zone 4 Briefing - Wednesday 1 May 2024, 1pm - 2:30pm - UoM Dookie Campus - 940 Dookie-Nalinga Road, Dookie, VIC
- Zone 5 Briefing - Wednesday 1 May 2024, 6pm - 7:30pm - UoM Dookie Campus - 940 Dookie-Nalinga Road, Dookie, VIC
People can RSVP for the sessions by visiting GMW’s YourSay page
Those unable to attend in person can email reception@gmwater.com.au and ask to be put in touch with a member of the Broken Reconfiguration Feasibility Study team.
Background
- The Broken system encompasses an area of over 7000 square kilometres. It includes the section of the Broken River between Lake Nillahcootie and the Goulburn River, as well as part of the Upper Broken Creek.
- Concerns about the long-term sustainability of the system were identified as part of the Broken System Review in 2020-22, which led to the establishment of a Broken Reconfiguration Feasibility Study.
- To support the feasibility study, GMW established a consultative committee, which includes seven community representatives.
- More information about the committee and the study more broadly can be found on GMW’s YourSay website