Greens lash weir project

Kim Waters
PLANS to build a weir will leave an Otways creek as little more than a “trickle”, according to a Greens MP.
State Upper House member Greg Barber slammed the plan to divert 700 million litres a year from Dewings Creek to Geelong’s water supply.
Mr Barber said the weir would take up to half the river’s annual flow.
Barwon Water could legally divert almost all the creek’s water, he said.
“They only have to legally leave one million litres per day flowing through the creek, which, let me tell you, is just a trickle at your feet,” Mr Barber said.
“The rivers that flow into and through Geelong are some of the most stressed in the state, particularly at the end of a 13-year drought.
“Barwon Water is just reaching out further and further to tap new surfaces with no concern for the environmental impact.”
The Independent revealed last month that Barwon Water planned to reinstate a 50-year-old diversion weir on the creek to boost the region’s drinking supply.
Barwon Water’s Paul Northey said the concrete weir would divert water to Wurdee Boluc Reservoir during “high rainfall events”.
Liberal candidate for South Barwon Andrew Katos labelled the plan “hypocritical” after the Labor State Government criticised him for suggesting a similar Otways project. Labor Member for South Barwon and parliamentary secretary for water and environment Michael Crutchfield defended the weir as a way to help secure the region’s water supply.