The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has advised that community input will be at the forefront of the re-design of the ageing and degraded Greta West Weir on Fifteen Mile Creek.
A recent forum convened by the North East CMA to discuss concerns for the weir, and possible solutions saw over 30 community members including Landcare representatives, water licensees and recreation groups attend. From the meeting a Project Steering Group composed of agency and community stakeholders was formed, to provide direction and facilitate community input into the project.
Phill Falcke, Rural Drainage Project Officer, North East CMA said, “The weir is really important to the local community. It underpins the success of farm businesses, prevents environmental degradation, and is loved as a local swimming and fishing spot.
It is proposed the new structure will maintain the current water diversion down One Mile Creek, thereby continuing to provide water security for the many farm businesses with user licences.
“Any structure that replaces the current one has to uphold or increase the benefits to community and that’s why we’re relying on community representation, to ensure those benefits continue into the future.”
Mr Falcke advised that the initial phase of the project will focus on the weir re-design including plans and approvals that will be used to leverage and access government funding programs as they become available.
The Project Steering Group has already met with agency representatives from Agriculture Victoria and Goulburn-Murray Water, and briefed the local engineering contractor to complete an assessment of the available options.
The options will be presented at a second meeting, where community consensus will be used to select the preferred design. The meeting will be held at the Greta-Hansonville Hall on 11 November at 7:00pm.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in the weir to attend the community meetings,” said Mr Falcke. “We’re really looking forward to incorporating community wisdom into the design so that we can move ahead with trying to source funding to replace the current structure.”
It is anticipated the design process will be completed by December 2019.
Media contact:
Katie Bowker, Media and Marketing Coordinator, North East CMA, 0428 469 123, katie.bowker@necma.vic.gov.au