MORE Whitlands and upper King Valley residents are believed to have lodged submissions with Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) about Domaine Chandon Australia's application to construct a bore on the plateau, as concerns about its potential impact on the region's water supply grows.
The company has submitted an application to GMW to amend an existing licence, wanting permission to drill 120 metres down below the surface and potentially extract up to 90 million litres of groundwater to irrigate its vineyards each year.
Locals fear extracting that volume of water could put pressure on the aquifer and lead to water shortages, affecting their own stock and domestic supplies, drying up springs and tributaries including the Boggy Creek and Jessie's Creek, and impacting local flora and fauna.
About 10 additional landholders joined a meeting of already concerned residents on Sunday, adding their voices to the call for GMW to pause the licence application assessment pending a fully independent hydrological study incorporated into an Environment Effects Statement (EES), before any decision is made.
Domaine Chandon Australia (DCA) estate director Susan Caudry said last week the company has not committed to constructing a bore - even if a licence was granted by GMW - but was considering all its options.
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She said DCA had commissioned a local company to complete a hydrological study which was expected to be completed in October, and that it would continue to listen to feedback and be open with the community about any steps it was planning to take.
GMW manager diversions groundwater and streams Peter Clydesdale said submissions regarding the application closed on Monday, and GMW cannot talk to the detail of a particular application.
"The licensing process involves a detailed assessment by GMW in accordance with the provisions of the Water Act 1989 (Vic) to consider various matters including if the proposed bore location or potential extraction of groundwater may have any third party or off-site impacts on the environment, groundwater resources or other authorised water users," he said.
"Those people who made a submission will be notified by GMW when a decision is made in respect of the application."
GMW's website says if an application to construct a bore is approved, it is valid for 12 months, and the applicant should arrange for a drilling contractor to complete the works within this period.
If the bore is not completed in this time, the applicant can apply to renew the licence prior to the expiry date, or else it will be required to apply for a new licence.
Whitfield resident Chris Masters said while GMW may be acting consistently with their interpretation of the Water Act 1989 and their own Water Management Plan for the area, residents are calling into question whether these practices are fit for purpose in real-world circumstances.
He said concerns were raised in 2016 over GMW's reliance on generic desktop assessments, its refusal to undertake its own hydrological investigations, and lack of meaningful engagement regarding water allocations on the Whitlands plateau.
"Whitlands falls under GMW's Lower Ovens Groundwater Management plan, which does not recognise a relationship between groundwater and surface water, however in the case of the Whitlands plateau, there is known relationship between the two," he said.
"The community does not wish prior failures to be repeated by not undertaking due diligence."
Residents are hoping to meet with representatives of Domaine Chandon Australia in coming days to discuss the matter further.
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King Valley in brief
Moyhu CWA meeting tonight
THE next meeting of the Moyhu CWA will be held on Wednesday, 13 August at 7.30pm at the King Valley Community Centre (former King Valley Learning Exchange) in Moyhu.
Everyone is encouraged to bring along their craft projects for a bit of show and tell, or to make and mingle, or just come and socialise, with all welcome.
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Farewell for Lyn and Graham Lewis
On Sunday, 31 August, the Cheshunt Hall and local community will be hosting a “Farewell from the Valley" afternoon tea for Lyn and Graham Lewis as they make a move to be closer to family.
Feel free to drop in for a cuppa, bring a plate to share or just have a chat between 2pm and 4pm with all welcome, and more information is available by contacting Kayleen on 0417 522 059.
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Sustainable King Valley Food Hub on Saturday
Shop for quality, affordable, waste free, bulk wholefoods and enjoy great social connection at the Sustainable King Valley Food Hub.
It is open the first and third Saturday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Cheshunt Hall, with more information by contacting kingvalleyfoodhub@gmail.com.
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