”Sensational” reaction to sewage fish project

Jane Emerick
Plans for a 100hectare fish farm using recycled water on the Bellarine Peninsula have won cautious early support on council.
Peninsula ward councillor Tom O’Connor called the State Government concept plans “sensational”.
“It’s a great idea,” he said.
“I think the concept of agriculture is great but I’d have to see the plans first.
“We would have to be careful about what we put back into the water.”
The Independent revealed the Department of Primary Industries concept for the farm last week.
Under the concept plan carp would feed on algae growing off recycled sewage water in a 100hectare pond – more than 20 times the size of Geelong’s Skilled Stadium.
The farm would draw Class C recycled water to produce carp, mainly for pet food.
The algae would grow off nutrients in the water to provide costeffective feed for the carp.
Cr O’Connor, who holds council’s environment and waste management portfolio, said the potential for viruses to enter peninsula waterways from the farm were a concern.
But he hoped details of the proposal would include measures to prevent waste from seeping into the bays.
Department project leader Fiona Gavine said residents would have the final say on whether the carp farm went ahead.
The department planed to host information sessions in the next few weeks to gauge public support.
The consultation process would investigate the opinions of both consumers and stakeholders on the use of recycled water in the fish farm.
Ms Gavine said issues to consider would include visual impacts, possible odours and increased traffic to and from the carp farm.
“It’s a fairly extensive and chunky development to consider for the go ahead,” she said.
The department ran its first information session yesterday.
Ms Gavine said the department would announce more information session dates and locations soon.