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The Newlyn Reservoir Action Group (NRAG) was formed at a public meeting 12 months ago on 19 March 2001 and a committee was established to seek an improvement in the quality of the domestic water supply provided by Central Highlands Water (CHW) to the townships of Allendale, Broomfield, Kingston, Newlyn, Smeaton and Springmount.
Submissions calling for a return to the Newlyn Reservoir as the source for the district water supply and the installation of a water treatment plant at the reservoir were presented by the committee to: (i) Central Highlands Water (ii) The Environment and Conservation Minister, The Hon Sherryl Garbutt MP; and (iii) the Panel appointed by the Planning Minister, The Hon John Thwaites MP, to hear objections to the Central Highlands Water applications for planning permits at Ascot/Tourello that would allow CHW to extract groundwater to provide the township of Clunes with bore water as an alternative domestic water supply.
CHW has acknowledged that there is a problem with water quality in the Forest Hill supply system because of the hardness of the groundwater, and it has been announced that CHW proposes to soften the current groundwater supply. CHW has called for public comment on the proposal and this is to be returned by April 5th. A lack of response could be considered to be an acceptance of the proposal.
The Newlyn Reservoir Action Group has decided to call a public meeting to allow people to discuss the proposal further, be informed of the Clunes situation and the implication this may or may not have on any decision to proceed with the Forest Hill water softening proposal at present. Central Highlands Water has been invited to be represented at the meeting.
It is highly recommended that you look at the technical reports and/or ask questions of CHW’s Community Consultant, Eleanor Underwood, at Kingston on March 12th and/or attend the Public Meeting at Kingston on March 19th.
“Your views are needed” Kingston Community Recreation Centre |