Golden Plains Shire Council will develop the Bannockburn Integrated Water Management (IWM) Plan after securing funding from the state government.
The Bannockburn IWM Plan will review water in the township and surrounding areas to establish a plan that improves the overall liveability of the town by ensuring there is enough water for waterways, residents, businesses and the agriculture sector in Bannockburn, while also maintaining green spaces.
Funded by $70,000 from the Victorian government’s IWM Grants Program, the Bannockburn IWM Plan will provide a guide to help mitigate anticipated water related issues for the Bannockburn region.
Water in the region is expected to be impacted by the population growth of Bannockburn and climate changes, with rainfall expected to decrease across Golden Plains Shire, council said.
The plan will align with the Bannockburn Growth Plan, which was incorporated into the Golden Plains Shire Planning Scheme in September 2021 and guides the sustainable growth of Bannockburn to the year 2050, catering for 18,000 new residents.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble welcomed the Victorian government’s investment in the Bannockburn IWM Plan.
“Establishing an Integrated Water Management Plan for Bannockburn has been a priority for council and the Barwon IWM Forum, which includes local councils, water authorities, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and state government agencies, for a number of years,” he said.
“Bannockburn is set to grow significantly over the next few years and it’s vital that council, and other relevant water authorities, have an established IWM plan to manage water effectively to support the growing residential population, while ensuring water access for local businesses and the agriculture sector.
“We are pleased funding has been secured to deliver the Bannockburn IWM Plan as part of the IWM Grants Program and thank the Victorian government for their investment in this important project.”
