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Written by EBONY D'ARCY.
A PLAN recommending restrictions to the use of groundwater in the Ovens Valley will be released for public comment by mid-September.
The committee responsible for developing the Upper Ovens Water Management Plan held an information session at the Myrtleford Savoy Club on Tuesday, July 20.
Committee chair Alan Barlee said more than 60 affected residents attended the meeting.
"We were quite happy with the turnout, mostly of local irrigators and stakeholders," he said.
"The key message with this plan is that for the first time in Victoria, groundwater is being included and restricted the same way as surface water.
"A major plus for us in terms of the attitude of irrigators is that it’s a significant degree of water security that they’re prepared to give up for environmental health."
Bill Sykes (MLA, Benalla) said the committee, made up of irrigators, government agencies and stakeholders, had done an "excellent" job in addressing the complex issue.
"In order to achieve assured environmental flows irrigators will be required to go onto staged water restrictions starting much earlier than occurs naturally," he said.
"In addition, groundwater will now be subject to restrictions.
"This is going to have a significant impact in drier years on many irrigators."
Mr Barlee said the draft plan would be released for public comment "late August or early September".
"It’s essentially complete, it’s just a matter now of some fine-tuning," he said.
"Anyone wishing to make a submission will have 60 days to send it to the committee, which will then meet again to consider any comments and sign off on the final plan.
"We hope to have it finalised in time to send to Minister for Water, Tim Holding, before the state election."
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