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Barwon Downs Borefield

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Barwon Downs Borefield Barwon Downs Borefield Background and Submission 26 November 2018 1 Acknowledgements Traditional owner acknowledgement Barwon Water acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live today. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and future. We recognise and respect their culture, beliefs and ongoing connection to the land over thousands of years. We would also like to give a special thanks to Kuuyang Maar, who have provided invaluable input and insight during the engagement process. Barwon Downs Groundwater Community Reference Group acknowledgement We would like to thank our Community Reference Group1 who have been actively involved in the Barwon Downs licence renewal project since 2013. Barwon Water greatly appreciates the dedication and insight each member contributed to this project. As well as ensuring that the monitoring program captured and addressed key areas of community concern, the reference group also provided valuable support to Barwon Water during the broader engagement process with the local community. Each community reference group member has dedicated a substantial amount of time and effort over the past five years for which we are very grateful. Through the process we have heard a diverse range of opinions, engaged in rich discussions and seen the project through the lens of the community. Members of the community reference group we would like to thank are: Jan Greig (Chair) Doug Chant Gavin Brien Robin Povey Malcolm Gardiner Hans Fankhanel Robert Maxwell Henry Bongers Community workshop participants’ acknowledgement We would like to thank all the participants who were involved in the 2017 Barwon Downs licence renewal community and stakeholder workshops for both their time, and their considered and thoughtful contributions. This input has enabled our application to address, where possible, many of the outcomes considered important to the community. 1 The Community Reference Group is an advisory group only. While they have provided their recommendations they have not been asked to endorse the final licence application. 2 Table of contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Table of contents............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 How to navigate this document ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 1 Setting the scene.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Application to renew ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Dealing with the impacts of historic pumping ............................................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Barwon Water at a glance ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Corporate obligations .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11 1.5 Why are we applying for a licence renewal? ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 1.6 Geelong’s water resources ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 1.7 How we plan to use the borefield going forward ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16 1.8 Background to the approach to the licence application (2012 – 2018) ................................................................................................................................ 16 2 Overview of the Barwon Downs borefield ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 2.1 Where is the borefield? ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 History of the borefield and groundwater extraction .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 2.3 Existing Gerangamete Groundwater Licence (No. BEE032496) ................................................................................................................................................ 18 3 Process for preparing the licence application .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 4 Summary of supporting technical studies ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 4.1 Stages 1 & 2: Monitoring program review and refinement ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Stage 3: Monitoring program implementation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 24 4.3 Stage 4: Technical studies – phase 1 .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 3 4.4 Stage 5: Improving the conceptualisation ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 4.5 Stage 6: Technical studies – phase 2 .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 4.6 Stage 7: Licence application preparation ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 5 Community Reference Group ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57 5.1 Checking in with the CRG ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57 5.2 Outcomes of the CRG .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 58 5.3 Barwon Water response to CRG ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 6 Broader consultation ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 6.1 Community information sessions ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 60 6.2 Community and stakeholder workshops .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 7 Our commitments to the community
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