THE ANGLESEA River will continue flowing on bore water from Alcoa’s power station after it closes at the end of next month, the Andrews Government has announced.
The Government said today it was working with Alcoa “to ensure the best possible outcomes” after the closure.
“This summer, water flows from Alcoa’s site to the Anglesea River will continue at a similar level to recent years while long-term planning occurs,” the Government said.
“This is a transitional arrangement following the shutdown of the Alcoa operation. The continuation of water flows to Anglesea River from Alcoa’s site post operational shutdown closure will be regulated by EPA licence limits.
“The Labor Government will work with the community to better understand the Anglesea River system and identify a range of options for the estuary into the future.”
The power station and its associated coal mine pump 4.5 million litres of bore water into the river daily.
The river closes to the ocean periodically despite the inflows, with locals concerned about the fate of the waterway without the Alcoa supplement. Mass fish-kills have accompanied some previous closures, alarming residents and tourism operators.
The closure of the power station will also cost 80 jobs and $55 million in clean-up works.
The power station became redundant to Alcoa after it closed its Pt Henry smelter and rolling mill. Alcoa announced it would close the Anglesea facility after the company was unable to find a buyer for the site.
Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said a “huge amount of work” was underway ahead of the operational shutdown of the power station and coal mine at the end of August.
Environment, Water and Climate Change Minister Lisa Neville said the Government was “acutely aware of how important the river is to the town and visitors”.
Local environmental activists have welcomed the Alcoa closure at Anglesea.
