By Luke Voogt
Barwon Water will investigate “viability” of a new dam in the Otway Ranges.
The water authority confirmed the investigation to the Indy this week, saying it had suspended plans announced last month to sell Dewing Creek land which was previously earmarked for a dam.
Barwon Water’s Carl Bicknell said in October that catchment modelling showed insufficient water was available for a large dam.
“Any substantial increase in water harvesting for drinking water use would impact on other water users, such as agricultural diverters, and the environment,” he said in October.
Mr Bicknell said Geelong’s supply system was secure and did not need for further investment in water sources for at least the next two decades.
But this week Barwon Water announced it would delay the sale until next year.
“A decision on the future of the land currently held on Dewing Creek will be made after completion of the urban water strategy,” Mr Bicknell said.
The strategy’s development would examine long-term sources for the region, including a storage on Dewing Creek, he said.
Polwarth MP Richard Polwarth welcomed Barwon Water’s decision to delay the sale.
“Barwon Water has made a responsible decision to take another look at the Dewing Creek site,” Mr Riordan said.
Community forums at Winchelsea during October expressed “loud and clear” concerns at the sale, he said.
“There were fears that this prize asset was going to be sold off.”
Mr Riordan was pleased Barwon Water had reconsidered its position following his representations to parliament.
He said a secure, reliable, long-term water supply in times of “climatic uncertainty“ was a “strong community desire”.
“We welcome the re-consideration of the Dewing Creek site and trust the urban water strategy will be in line with local community expectations.”
Barwon Water purchased the former farmland at Dewing Creek in the 1990s as a potential dam site.
The previous Brumby Labor State Government commissioned a weir on the site despite Labor’s then no-new-dams policy.
