INTEGRATED WATER CYCLE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Coastwatchers was invited to send a representative to a 2 day workshop with Council and government staff to discuss issues associated with the short term works of the strategy. Council wants to proceed with the works and would like the state government to contribute.

SHORT TERM WORKS -THE SUBJECT OF THE WORKSHOP

Water treatment plants
Denhams Beach treatment plant - at the reservoir (tank) behind Denhams Beach. Estimated cost $16.3 million for 25 ML/day capacity - may be staged

Tuross River treatment plant - near Tuross River pumping station. Estimated cost $8 million for 9.5 ML/day capacity.

Dedicated water pipeline - A 600mm diameter pipeline to take water from Moruya River to Deep Creek dam for rapid filling during higher flows (water then is often dirtier hence the need for treatment plants). Estimated cost $17.65 million

OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ADOPTED STRATEGY

Restrictions when necessary

Waterwise education

Comprehensive demand management program with water sensitive urban design for all new developments

10,000 litre tanks in new developments and 20% of existing houses

Providing water to all villages

Construction of an off-stream southern dam taking water from the Tuross River by 2009. Stony Creek 2 (a mostly dry gully near the current pump station) is the preferred site unless investigations show otherwise.

Promotion of effluent reuse.

Provision of reticulated sewage for all villages

Upgrade Batemans Bay sewage treatment plant and the transport system including a bypass along Spine Road alignment

Transfer Batemans Bay southern catchment sewage to Tomakin plant for treatment and increase Tomakin plant's capacity

Enhance the existing Narooma sewage treatment plant capacity when load meets capacity

Improved management of urban stormwater in high priority catchments

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Deep Creek dam holds 4,900 megalitres (ML)

Stony Creek 2 The final strategy says the southern dam capacity will be 1,010 ML. A 2ML dam at this site is expected to cost about $20.3 million while a 5 ML dam would cost around $26.5 million.

Swamp Creek a late proposal (would partly fill naturally but is unlikely to get government approval). Estimated to cost more than $2.5 to $3.5 million more than Stony Creek 2 plus extra costs associated with providing environmental flows, fish ladders, protection for the spillway and acquiring a larger catchment to protect water quality.